OPTIMAL CONTROL OF THE PENICILLIN G FED-BATCH FERMENTATION: AN ANALYSIS OF A MODIFIED UNSTRUCTURED MODEL

Abstract

Abstract This paper presents the application of optimal control theory in determining the optimal glucose feed rate profile for the penicillin G fed-batch fermentation, using a modified unstructured mathematical model based on balancing methods. This updated model allows for a smooth transition between maintenance and endogenous metabolism, while all variables take on physically acceptable values under all conditions It is illustrated that the resulting computational algorithm is independent of the exact nature of the metabolism (maintenance or endogenous). In this scheme, the unusual optimization of some free initial states is included. However, as shown by simulations, the nature of the metabolism might be a key factor in concluding whether or not altering the substrate feeding strategy has an important influence on the final amount of product Mathematical and microbial insight leads to the construction of an alternative suboptimal heuristic Additional informationNotes on contributorsJAN F. VAN IMPE Corresponding author JAN A. SPRIET Research associate with the N.F.W.O. (Belgian National Fund for Scientific Research).