Process optimisation is essential when selecting the best downstream strategies for processing chemicals produced from CO2 or other raw materials. The viability of separation and purification technologies depends not only on the substances to be treated but on the technology operating conditions too. The selection of suitable technologies is an important step in optimal downstream processing, and as part of the work under Work Package 6, a tailored statistical tool has been developed to support decision making.
The DS-OptiDoE (DSODE) is an automated tailored statistical tool, which is able to optimise downstream strategies for lactic and formic acids, polyhydroxibutirate, and C3-C6 alcohol recovery. It is a flexible software that could be used for optimising downstream strategies of other chemical compounds produced from CO2 or other raw materials. A key goal when developing this tool was to produce user-friendly software that is able to simulate the response surface modelling that conventional experiment design software does. The development of this tool has been carried out by BIOCON-CO2 partners from Tecnalia, LEITAT and Pervatech.
Based on response surface methodology (RSM), DSODE combines the design of experiments (DoE), regression analysis, and optimisation methods. RSM is a technique that determines the optimal design factor settings to improve the performance of a process. It evaluates the effects of multiple factors and their interactions on a process response, establishing the relationship between input and output variables. As a result, it is possible to predict the response of the process at given conditions. Thus, based on the characteristics of chemical products, the tool should help define the best strategies for downstream processing of chemicals produced using CO2.
The DSODE and a tutorial for use can be found here.