Related Experiment Videos
Selection of bioprocess simulation software for industrial applications
T Shanklin1, K Roper, P K Yegneswaran
1Department of Chemical & Biochemical Engineering, University of Maryland Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, Maryland 21250, USA.
Biotechnology and Bioengineering
|February 17, 2001
Summary
Process simulation software like Aspen Batch Plus (ABP) and Intelligen SuperPro (ISP) can aid biotechnology process management but have limitations in predicting scale-up and optimization. These tools are best for scheduling, cost analysis, and equipment evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Chemical Engineering
- Process Simulation
Background:
- Industrial biotechnology processes require robust modeling tools for efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
- Commercially available process simulation software offers potential solutions for complex bioprocess modeling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the suitability of Aspen Batch Plus v1.2 (ABP) and Intelligen SuperPro v3.0 (ISP) for modeling industrial biotechnology processes.
- To quantitatively assess the capabilities and limitations of ABP and ISP using Kepner-Tregoe Decision Analysis.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative evaluation of ABP and ISP using Kepner-Tregoe Decision Analysis.
- Simulation of a vaccine manufacturing process at Merck & Company to test software performance in a real-world scenario.
Main Results:
- Both ABP and ISP can perform specific simulation tasks but do not fully model all phenomena in biotechnology processes.
- Software excels at process management functions like scheduling, equipment change-out analysis, and cost calculation.
- The accuracy of simulation software for unit operation scale-up and bioprocess optimization is limited.
Conclusions:
- Process simulation software is valuable for managing biotechnology operations, particularly for material/energy balances and economic assessments.
- Limitations exist in predicting scale-up and optimizing bioprocesses, requiring careful consideration of software applicability.
- Case studies demonstrate the practical application of ABP and ISP in addressing real-world vaccine manufacturing challenges.