One of the byproducts generated in the cane sugar production is molasses, which is used for ethanol distillation. However, one of the problems of distilleries is vinasse. Vinasse is highly water pollutant and is dumped untreated in lakes or rivers and damages the environment. The company FALA developed a pilot plant that uses vinasse to produce a type of livestock feed called MD60. In this paper, the impact of the pilot plant’s scale-up in the key processes of the company’s supply chain is analyzed. With the help of a sensitivity analysis, this study finds the values that would allow the company to improve its order fulfillment indicator and to increase profits, assuming an expected demand by the introduction of this new product into the market. The results show that (1) the pilot plant fulfills 32% of the orders, (2) according to the current vinasse storage capacity, it is possible to fulfill up to 77% of the orders by scaling up the pilot plant, (3) to satisfy 100% of the orders, it is necessary to use all the vinasse generated, and (4) the highest profit is reached by processing all the vinasse and by considering the upper sale price.

Microorganism biomass is a sustainable and innovative source of biopolymers, such as proteins and polysaccharides, that is suitable for the development of biodegradable films. The aim of this research was to evaluate the synthesis, morphology, rheology, and morphological and mechanical properties on the production of edible biofilms based on water kefir grains, and compare them with edible films based on thermoplastic compounds from starch (TPS) obtained from taro (Colocasia esculenta) and cassava (Manihot esculenta). Edible biofilms were prepared in solution with 30% wt/wt glycerol relative to starch mass and kefir grain biofilms using the casting method. A stationary rheological analysis was performed on the film-forming suspensions of kefir, taro starch, and cassava starch. Once the films were obtained, a physicochemical and morphological characterization was carried out. Results of the characterization showed the following main aspects: The results indicated an increase in biomass production using muscovado and pineapple peel. The film-forming suspensions had a dilating behavior; however, the results obtained not only show the viscoelastic behavior but also the elastic limit (σ₀), which varied from 0.077 to 0.059 Pa for suspensions of water kefir grains and from 0.077 to 0.072 Pa for starch suspensions. These elastic limit variations can be defined as the minimum shear stress required to start the flow, and all these rheological data were adjusted to the Herschel–Bulkley model; the morphological and mechanical characterization of the films obtained showed homogeneous surfaces with transparency and without cracks; regarding the water activity, values lower than 6 were obtained, which indicates that there will be no growth of any microorganism, and the hardness data showed differences between those obtained from kefir and taro and cassava starch. The similar results of the rheological characterization in the formation of the kefir biofilm and the conventional edible starch films, in addition to the similar results in the water activity below 6 and the hardness, points to an attractive alternative capable of replacing the conventional materials with a mass production of biofilms of probiotic microorganisms. The results also revealed that water kefir grains biomass is a viable and innovative source of biodegradable materials, and these grains can be an alternative to conventional established starch materials.

This study evaluates the improvement of numerical accuracy in the PSA model for ethanol dehydration using molecular sieves. By incorporating cubic state equations for vapor density determination, significant errors were identified when applying the ideal gas assumption to the ethanol–water mixture, particularly under moderate pressure conditions. The integration of the Peng–Robinson equation demonstrated a 5–10% improvement in calculation accuracy compared to the ideal gas law. This enhancement is crucial for achieving reliable predictions under non-ideal conditions, enabling more accurate estimations of real process dynamics across varying scenarios. Notably, improved accuracy in the PSA model is essential for designing more efficient and reliable industrial applications, especially at moderate pressures. The results indicate that the Peng–Robinson equation provides a more accurate representation of the density of the ethanol–water vapor mixture, contributing significantly to more accurate simulation results of the PSA process.

This study addresses developing systematic guidelines for the design of concentration control in the oxidation of benzene to maleic anhydride within a tubular reactor. The influence of step size selection and temperature sensor location on the tuning and performance of a PI/P cascade control system applied to the oxidation process was evaluated. The reactor’s dynamic behavior was analyzed using numerical simulations based on the solution of the Fortran mathematical model. Sensor positions and multiple step sizes (from +10% to −10%) were analyzed to characterize reactor dynamics and optimize control parameters. The results show that a controller design corresponding to a −9% step in the jacket temperature offered the best performance, ensuring process stability and selectivity. In contrast, step changes between +10% and −8% caused temperature deviations beyond safe limits. Since maleic anhydride is an essential precursor in the production of resins, plastics, lubricants, and pharmaceutical intermediates, optimizing the efficiency and safety of its production represents a significant benefit to the global chemical industry.