Multiple Objective Optimization and Optimal Control of Fermentation Processes

A multiple objective optimization is applied for finding an optimum policy of fed-batch processes of whey fermentation and L-lysine production. The multiple objective optimization problems are transformed to a standard problem of optimization with single objective function by a general utility function with weight coefficients for each single utility coefficient criteria. A combined algorithm is applied when solving the maximizing decision problem. The algorithm includes a method for random search of finding an initial point and a method based on the fuzzy sets theory, combined in order to find the best solution of the optimization problem. The application of the combined algorithm eliminates the main disadvantage of the used fuzzy optimization method, namely it decreases the number of discrete values of the control variables. Thus, the algorithm allows problems with larger scale to be solved. After this multiple optimization, the useful product quality rises and the residual substrate concentration at the end of the process decreases. In this way, the process productivity is increased.