María Laura Montoro
Current Organizations / Institutes
The organizations/institutes from the scholar's latest article
María Laura Montoro has a total of 12 co-authors. Here are the top co-authors by number of shared publications:
- Gustavo Scaglia
Universidad Nacional de San Juan
3 shared publications - María Cecilia Fernández
Instituto de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional de San Juan (UNSJ), CONICET, Av. Lib. San Martín Oeste 1109, San Juan J5400ARL, Argentina
3 shared publications - María Nadia Pantano
Instituto de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional de San Juan (UNSJ), Av. Libertador San Martín (O) 1109, San Juan J5400ARL, Argentina
3 shared publications - María Fabiana Sardella
Instituto de Ingeniería Química, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional de San Juan (IIQ-FI-UNSJ), San Juan 5400, Argentina
2 shared publications Ana Deiana
1 shared publication- Andrés Rosales
Departamento de Automatización y Control Industrial, GIECAR, Escuela Politécnica Nacional, Quito 170525, Ecuador
1 shared publication
Latest Publications
- Open Access
Fourier Optimization and Linear-Algebra-Based Combination of Controls to Improve Bioethanol Production
The development of efficient strategies for optimizing and controlling nonlinear bioprocesses remains a significant challenge due to their complex dynamics and sensitivity to operating conditions. This work addresses the problem by proposing a two-step methodology applied to a laboratory-scale fed-batch bioethanol process. The first step employs a dynamic optimization approach based on Fourier parameterization and orthonormal polynomials, which generates smooth and continuous substrate-feed profiles using only three parameters instead of the ten required by piecewise approaches. The second step introduces a controller formulated through basic linear algebra operations, which ensures accurate trajectory tracking of the optimized state variables. Simulation results demonstrate a increase in ethanol concentration at the end of the process, together with an accumulated tracking error of only under nominal conditions. In addition, the closed-loop strategy outperforms open-loop implementation when the initial conditions deviate from their nominal values. These findings highlight that the proposed methodology reduces mathematical complexity and computational effort while producing continuous control profiles suitable for practical application. The combination of optimization and algebraic control thus provides a promising alternative for improving the efficiency of bioethanol-production processes.Open AccessFourier Optimization and Linear-Algebra-Based Combination of Controls to Improve Bioethanol Production
The development of efficient strategies for optimizing and controlling nonlinear bioprocesses remains a significant challenge due to their complex dynamics and sensitivity to operating conditions. This work addresses the problem by proposing a two-step methodology applied to a laboratory-scale fed-batch bioethanol process. The first step employs a dynamic optimization approach based on Fourier parameterization and orthonormal polynomials, which generates smooth and continuous substrate-feed profiles using only three parameters instead of the ten required by piecewise approaches. The second step introduces a controller formulated through basic linear algebra operations, which ensures accurate trajectory tracking of the optimized state variables. Simulation results demonstrate a increase in ethanol concentration at the end of the process, together with an accumulated tracking error of only under nominal conditions. In addition, the closed-loop strategy outperforms open-loop implementation when the initial conditions deviate from their nominal values. These findings highlight that the proposed methodology reduces mathematical complexity and computational effort while producing continuous control profiles suitable for practical application. The combination of optimization and algebraic control thus provides a promising alternative for improving the efficiency of bioethanol-production processes. - Open Access
A New Kinetic Model for Pectin Extraction from Grapefruit Peel Using Delayed Differential Equations
The objective of this study is to develop a kinetic model that incorporates time-delay mechanisms to describe the gradual release behavior of pectin. Three models were used: modified Peleg, logistic, and second-order linear with time delay (SOPDT), to represent the extraction kinetics of grapefruit peels at 60, 70, and 90 °C. Model fitting was performed using a hybrid methodology combining Monte Carlo simulations with genetic algorithms. The SOPDT model provided the best fit, with the lowest squared error values (J = 7.06 at 60 °C, 5.63 at 70 °C, and 8.71 at 90 °C), requiring only two parameters to represent the entire process. In contrast, the other models required six. The maximum pectin yield reached over 120% at 90 °C, compared to <80% at lower temperatures. These results demonstrate the potential of the SOPDT model for efficient process description and control.
Open AccessA New Kinetic Model for Pectin Extraction from Grapefruit Peel Using Delayed Differential Equations
The objective of this study is to develop a kinetic model that incorporates time-delay mechanisms to describe the gradual release behavior of pectin. Three models were used: modified Peleg, logistic, and second-order linear with time delay (SOPDT), to represent the extraction kinetics of grapefruit peels at 60, 70, and 90 °C. Model fitting was performed using a hybrid methodology combining Monte Carlo simulations with genetic algorithms. The SOPDT model provided the best fit, with the lowest squared error values (J = 7.06 at 60 °C, 5.63 at 70 °C, and 8.71 at 90 °C), requiring only two parameters to represent the entire process. In contrast, the other models required six. The maximum pectin yield reached over 120% at 90 °C, compared to <80% at lower temperatures. These results demonstrate the potential of the SOPDT model for efficient process description and control.
- Open Access
- 7 October 2024
- Published by Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) in IEEE Latin America Transactions
- Vol. 22 (10) , 829-834
Mathematical Modeling for Pectin Extraction in Melon waste
This article proposes a novel model for the extraction of pectin in melon peels and seeds. The methodology is based on the extraction of pectin in an acid medium for 180 minutes at 70, 80, and 90C, evaluating the performance of the product at each temperature. The kinetics of pectin extraction from melon peels and seeds, regardless of the working temperature, presents three stages: rapid release, then a plateau, followed by smooth growth until reaching the maximum amount of the product extracted. This process can be assimilated as a sequence of subprocesses, each with its own delay time and constants time. Based on the experimental results, each stage or period is mathematically modeled as a second-order linear with delay time. This dynamic model takes into account the work matrix, as well as the extraction mechanism used. The deviation of the model concerning to the experimental data is minimal, compared to the empirical and mechanistic models found in the literature for pectin extraction. The latter are based on oversimplified assumptions, leading to significant disparities between experimentally obtained and mathematically simulated results.
- 7 October 2024
- Published by Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) in IEEE Latin America Transactions
- Vol. 22 (10) , 829-834
Open AccessMathematical Modeling for Pectin Extraction in Melon waste
This article proposes a novel model for the extraction of pectin in melon peels and seeds. The methodology is based on the extraction of pectin in an acid medium for 180 minutes at 70, 80, and 90C, evaluating the performance of the product at each temperature. The kinetics of pectin extraction from melon peels and seeds, regardless of the working temperature, presents three stages: rapid release, then a plateau, followed by smooth growth until reaching the maximum amount of the product extracted. This process can be assimilated as a sequence of subprocesses, each with its own delay time and constants time. Based on the experimental results, each stage or period is mathematically modeled as a second-order linear with delay time. This dynamic model takes into account the work matrix, as well as the extraction mechanism used. The deviation of the model concerning to the experimental data is minimal, compared to the empirical and mechanistic models found in the literature for pectin extraction. The latter are based on oversimplified assumptions, leading to significant disparities between experimentally obtained and mathematically simulated results.
- Open Access
- 21 May 2020
- Published by Springer Nature in Research Square
Effects of pretreatments on the bioavailability of sugars on discarded melons to obtain bioethanol.
Melon is one of the main horticultural crops in the province of San Juan, Argentina. An excess of 20% of its production is not marketed for various reasons. To take advantage of this biomass, acid pretreatments (PA), acid combined with ultrasound (PAU), were applied to evaluate increases in the bioavailability of sugars for the production of 2G bioethanol. The results showed that under the optimal conditions of both pretreatments: concentration of 2% sulfuric acid, time of 30 minutes, the temperature of 55 °C and solid: liquid ratio11:1, followed by enzymatic hydrolysis using cellulase, hemicellulose and pectinase, increases of 111 and 576% are achieved in the content of fermentable sugars, compared to untreated melon. Acid pretreatment combined with ultrasound and enzymatically hydrolyzed, using cellulase, hemicellulase, and pectinase, turned out to be the best alternative in terms of increasing fermentable sugars, obtaining 38.99 mL of bioethanol per kg of melon.
- 21 May 2020
- Published by Springer Nature in Research Square
Open AccessEffects of pretreatments on the bioavailability of sugars on discarded melons to obtain bioethanol.
Melon is one of the main horticultural crops in the province of San Juan, Argentina. An excess of 20% of its production is not marketed for various reasons. To take advantage of this biomass, acid pretreatments (PA), acid combined with ultrasound (PAU), were applied to evaluate increases in the bioavailability of sugars for the production of 2G bioethanol. The results showed that under the optimal conditions of both pretreatments: concentration of 2% sulfuric acid, time of 30 minutes, the temperature of 55 °C and solid: liquid ratio11:1, followed by enzymatic hydrolysis using cellulase, hemicellulose and pectinase, increases of 111 and 576% are achieved in the content of fermentable sugars, compared to untreated melon. Acid pretreatment combined with ultrasound and enzymatically hydrolyzed, using cellulase, hemicellulase, and pectinase, turned out to be the best alternative in terms of increasing fermentable sugars, obtaining 38.99 mL of bioethanol per kg of melon.