Analysis of a model for ethanol production through continuous fermentation

We investigate an experimentally verified model for the production of ethanol through continuous fermentation. Previous studies investigated this model using direct integration. Such integration is time consuming as parameter regions of interest can only be determined through laborious and repetitive calculations. Using techniques from nonlinear dynamical systems theory, in particular a combination of steady state analysis and path following methods, practical insights into operating strategies are found. We use the performance of the reaction scheme in one tank as a benchmark for comparing the performances of multiple tanks.