Evaluation of the software SuperPro Designer through simulation of a biohydrogen production process

Sammanfattning: A simulation in bioprocess technology was carried out in order to evaluate the accessibility and adequacy of the simulation software SuperProDesigner used on an academic level. This was done by recreating an existing process and studying the results as well as observing the diculties and limitations along the way. The study in question was a biohydrogen production plant consisting of three parts. Firstly, pre-treatment was simulated where potato peels were enzymatically treated to form a glucose solution. Secondly, fermentation was simulated where glucose was converted to a hydrogen and carbon dioxide stream as well as by-products in the form of lactic acid and acetic acid. These acids were then used as substrate and fed to an anaerobic digester where a methane and carbon dioxide mixture was formed. Thirdly, an absorption column was simulated for the purpose of separating the carbon dioxide from the hydrogen and methane. At first, the process based on the simulation made by Ljunggren was thoroughly studied. Secondly, the software was studied in order to gain sucient knowledge in how to create a similar plant. Thirdly, the simulation was created. Some compromises needed to be made in order to get accurate results such as a simplified kinetic model of the product formation of hydrogen. The pre-treatment did not manage to break even when comparing the cost of raw material to the outlet glucose. Neither did the fermentation part yield a profit, even after tweaking the process by several factors. The absorption column could not be accurately simulated due to limitations in the software. It was concluded that Dark Fermentation is dicult to make profitable at the current state. However, the knowledge gained from conducting the simulations resulted in a beginner’s guide in SuperPro Designer.