Emerging bio-waste technologies for landfill biotechnology efficiency and development of useful operational utilities for public and community health protection

Abstract

This chapter highlights the theme modelling for bio, agro and pharma applications. It opens up by providing an example from the agro-chemical sector and highlighting the modelling of the performance of a microcapsule for controlled release. It focuses on the development and solution of a mathematical model of microcapsule-based controlled release of active ingredients. The purpose of the model is to study the behavior of the microcapsule for controlled release of active ingredients. The model can be used to evaluate the performance of the product (microcapsule) with respect to different design parameters, such as diameter and thickness of the microcapsule, polymer used, and solvent used. The second example deals with a bio-process, that is, a bio-fermentation process for the conversion of glucose to ethanol. This model is able to monitor the performance of the fermentor with respect to a number of key operational variables. The last three examples come from the pharma sector. They deal with the operational steps in the production of drug tablets. The model of a milling process is given, then a model for a granulation process, and finally a model for a tablet-pressing operation. In all three cases, the models are developed with the objective to support process-product monitoring through application of process analytical technology .