Production Rate‐Dependent Key Performance Indicators for a Systematic Design of Biochemical Downstream Processes

Abstract

Key performance indicators have become a common tool in bioprocess development, as they allow an objective and independent rating and ranking of process alternatives screened. A disadvantage of all key performance indicators developed so far is their strong focus on costs, which makes them neglect the influence of the production rate on the profit of the process. But, since both production costs and production rate have an equally strong impact, both should be considered when decisions have to be made. Therefore, two new key performance indicators are introduced in this work, one for batch and one for continuous processing. They combine product yield, purity performance, variable manufacturing costs, and production rate to one objective. Thereby, misguided trade-offs between these four individual measures can be replaced by one key performance indicator. This ensures a systematic development of biochemical downstream processes.

A roadmap for the synthesis of separation networks for the recovery of bio-based chemicals: Matching biological and process feasibility

“…The downstream processing costs to recover products from these dilute streams have been analyzed in the literature, especially for biofuels from microalgae (Davis et al, 2011;Rizwan et al, 2013), and most studies indicate that more than 70% of the overall production costs are incurred during separations (Brandt and Schembecker, 2016;Kiss et al, 2015;Shaeiwitz et al, 2000;Sikdar et al, 1989).…”

“…One of the major goals in the design of a large scale commercial process is the minimization of processing cost while maintaining product specifications. In the production of biochemicals, downstream separation is the major cost driver (Brandt and Schembecker, 2016;Kiss et al, 2015;Shaeiwitz et al, 2000).…”

Synthesis and analysis of separation processes for extracellular chemicals generated from microbial conversions

“…A bioreactor effluent is often dilute (less than 20 wt% product) [17] and the purity requirement for chemicals is relatively high. Therefore, downstream separation tends to be expensive, accounting for 60-80% of the total production cost in many cases [10,18,19]. Thus, the synthesis of an effective downstream bio-separation process is a critical but at the same time challenging task because multiple technologies are usually available for a given separation task, and thus a large number of alternative process networks exists.…”

Dynamic Matrix Control of a Bubble‐Column Reactor for Microbial Synthesis Gas Fermentation

“…Renewable and environmentally friendly production of biochemicals and fuels via conversion of readily available plant biomass and waste streams is of major importance for society, economy, and environment in the 21st century [1,2]. Microbial fermentation of waste gas streams and synthesis gas (syngas; comprised mainly of CO and H 2 ), which represent a significant quantity of reduced carbon and can be produced relatively cheaply from a wide variety of biomass sources, is an emerging conversion route with wide feedstock versatility [3,4].…”

“…1 shows a simplified schematic diagram of a bubble-column reactor for microbial syngas fermentation. The gas stream containing CO, H 2 , and possibly other components such as CO 2 is introduced into the bottom of the column and exits the top of the column. The liquid stream containing media components such as vitamins, minerals, nitrogen, and phosphorus required for cellular growth also is introduced into the bottom of the column.…”