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Multi-scale modeling for sustainable chemical production
Kai Zhuang1, Bhavik R Bakshi, Markus J Herrgård
1Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Hørsholm, Denmark. kazh@biosustain.dtu.dk.
Biotechnology Journal
|March 23, 2013
Summary
Sustainable chemical production from biomass is possible with metabolic engineering. This study proposes a multi-scale modeling framework to integrate diverse approaches, enhancing design and decision-making across scales for a cohesive biochemical industry.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology and biochemical engineering
- Industrial ecology and sustainability modeling
Background:
- Metabolic engineering enables biomass-based production of petrochemicals.
- Various modeling approaches exist for sustainable biochemical industry development, operating at different scales.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing modeling approaches for sustainable chemical production across scales.
- To propose a multi-scale framework for integrating these models.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of modeling approaches at scales: metabolism, bioreactor, process, industry, economy, and ecosystem.
- Conceptualization of a multi-scale integration framework.
Main Results:
- Existing models operate at disparate temporal and spatial scales.
- Limited research connects models across these scales.
- A novel multi-scale framework is proposed to link models.
Conclusions:
- The proposed framework enables informed, guided, and constrained design and decision-making across all scales.
- Integration promotes collaboration among disconnected modeling disciplines.
- Achieving sustainable chemical production requires a cohesive, multi-scale approach.
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