Artificial Neural Networks as Metamodels for the Multiobjective Optimization of Biobutanol Production

Abstract

Process optimization using a physical process or its comprehensive model often requires a significant amount of time. To remedy this problem, metamodels, or surrogate models, can be used. In this investigation, a methodology for optimizing the biobutanol production process via the integrated acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation-membrane pervaporation process is proposed. In this investigation, artificial neural networks (ANNs) were used as metamodels in an attempt to reduce the time needed to circumscribe the Pareto domain and identify the best optimal operating conditions. Two different metamodels were derived from a small set of operating conditions obtained from a uniform experimental design. The first series of metamodels were derived to entirely replace the phenomenological model of the butanol fermentation process by representing the relationship that exists between five operating conditions and four performance criteria. The second series of metamodels were derived to estimate the initial concentrations under steady-state conditions for the eight chemical species within the fermenter in order to expedite convergence of the process simulator. The first series of metamodels led to an accurate Pareto domain and reduced the computation time to circumscribe the Pareto domain by a factor of 2500. The second series of metamodels led to only a small reduction of computation time (a factor of approximately 2) because of the inherently slow convergence of the overall fermentation process.

Application of Artificial Neural Networks in the Dimensioning of Retention Reservoirs

“…The test results were divided into five groups depending on the wastewater flow reduction factor β value. Further investigations included the application of artificial neural networks [27][28][29]. A sufficiently large representative dataset was necessary to determine the expected dependent variable value.…”

Special Issue on Applications of Artificial Neural Networks for Energy Systems

“…The most common method of producing biobutanol is the fermentation of simple sugars in biomass feedstock. In reference [12], a methodology for optimizing the biobutanol production process via the integrated acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation-membrane pervaporation process is proposed. In this study, artificial neural networks (ANNs) are used as metamodels in an attempt to reduce the time needed to circumscribe the Pareto domain and identify the best optimal operating conditions.…”

Application of Solution Strategies for Numerical Estimation of Thermodynamic Equilibrium Parameters for an Acetone–Butanol Mixture

“…The above consideration is essential because many transformation processes usually handle a variety of chemical components, including solvents and biofuels such as ethanol, butanol, acetone-among others-that present very complex behaviors. Thus, the modeling of mixture equilibria becomes a key aspect in the design of downstream units for this type of plant [3]. Carlon [4] mentioned that an essential task on process simulation is to find the adequate property parameters for equilibria modeling, taking into account that missing calculations or mistakes in the selection of estimation method lead to generating not trustable or reliable data.…”