Application of modelling techniques for the improvement of industrial bioprocesses

Abstract The impact of modelling on implementation and improvement of four industrial bioprocesses will be reviewed. In one case, (R)-3-hydroxy-4-(trimethylammonio)-butanoate ( l -carnitine) production, modelling facilitated finding the most cost-effective fermentation mode. In two other cases, 6-hydroxynicotinic acid and 5-methyl-2-pyrazincarbonic acid production, modelling helped to develop and practise adequate process control systems. In still another process, nicotinamide production, a combination of modelling with process simulation resulted in a drastic reduction of time and cost for process development and also helped to choose the most cost-effective process design.