To achieve the ambitious goal, the work has been organised into 2 groups of parallel but closely interrelated tasks: mathematical modelling tasks and experimental tasks. The mathematical modelling tasks are focused on the construction of the different elements of the MODEL2BIO-DSS tool; whereas the experimental tasks focus on extracting, compiling, and synthesising all the information required for the appropriate construction, calibration and validation of the mathematical tools.
The main experimental tasks carried out have been the following:
- Agri-food residual streams characterisation at physicochemical & microbiological level: meat sector (poultry; pork and veal); vegetable sector (tomato, pepper, potato, artichoke); dairy sector (cheese, milk), and alcoholic beverages sector (beer, wine) including seasonal variability.
- Analysis of 2 new techniques to stabilise agro-food residual streams: Microwave dehydration technology and pre-fermentation for stabilisation.
- Analysis of technologies to obtain value-added products: Different extraction and purification processes for the recovery of selected residual streams (SFE-CO2, SCE-H2O, & solvent extraction) have been developed in lab and pilot scale and different high throughput fermentation processes are carried out at lab and pilot scale.
Regarding modelling tasks, a complete bibliographic review has been carried out (mathematical models, agri-food companies, intermediate processes, and BBIs) to define the characteristics of the models developed in the Simulation module.
- A flexible and easily adaptable version of the Simulation module has been developed. This module can predict the mass fluxes for any bio-based residual stream alternatives using a set of compatible model libraries describing the agri-food production lines, the intermediate processes, and the final valorisation in BBIs. The Plant-wide modelling methodology was proposed by CEIT as a systematic methodology for constructing mathematical models able to describe the whole systems as complex as required in each case study. The organised structure that this methodology presents enables the straightforward incorporation of transformations, allowing the library to be continuously updated.
- The LCA module developed can estimate the environmental, economic and social impacts associated with any bio-based residual stream alternative using an LCA methodology.
- The Optimisation algorithm developed can automatically select the bio-based residual stream alternatives that minimise a global cost function previously defined using the mathematical models.
After the integration of the three modules, a verification of the MODEL2BIO-DSS tool has been carried out in the three validation areas: Northern Spain, Flanders (Belgium) and Western Macedonia (Greece).
Regarding non-technical tasks, the project key exploitable results has been characterised, and the bases for the Intellectual Property Rights Protection have been defined.
Finally, the Communication and Dissemination Master Plan has been prepared. The Model2Bio webpage is hosted at
http://model2Bio.eu/(s’ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre). Due to the industrial and scientific nature of the project, the presence of the project in Twitter (@Model2bioEu) and LinkedIn was set up (www.linkedin.com/company/model2bio/about). The ESCI YouTube channel is being used to reach a greater audience. On this channel, Model2Bio received a dedicated playlist. All project related videos and interviews have been uploaded to this playlist (the explanatory promotional video, 7 video interviews, the final video and the final workshop).
