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Department of Chemical Engineering, Unit Catalogue 2009/10


CE40126: Advanced biochemical engineering

Click here for further information Credits: 6
Click here for further information Level: Masters
Click here for further information Period: Semester 1
Click here for further information Assessment: EX 100%
Click here for further informationSupplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Click here for further information Requisites:
Description: Aims:
To provide an understanding of the various biological, reactor and separation process strategies that can be employed to produce biochemicals in a controllable and predictable process through the exploitation of bacteria, yeast and higher organisms. To introduce the main unit operations used in the separation of materials of biological origin; to provide an understanding of the role of each operation within a multi-unit process and how this is influenced by the properties of the process stream; to introduce and explore the use of quantitative performance equations for design purposes.

Learning Outcomes:
After successfully completing this unit the student should be aware of the importance of biological considerations when assessing reactor strategies; to be able to assess and design a reactor for cell growth or to carry out an enzyme reaction; to be aware of the main separation techniques available and how their choice is dependent on the nature of the bioproduct to be produced.

Skills:
Acquisition and critical assessment of technical information in biochemical engineering. Taught, facilitated and assessed.

Content:
Oxygen transfer during a fermentation; micro-organism growth kinetics; enzyme reactor kinetics; quantitative performance equations for bioreactor design; strategies for bioreactor equipment design; properties of biochemicals which influence choice and availability of methods; cell recovery; cell disruption/release of intracellular products. General introduction to membrane processes, materials of construction and modes of operation; flux in UF/MF effects of concentration, pressure and temperature; Chromatographic separations, review of techniques available. Design of adsorption columns; simplified models based on equilibrium assumption, kinetic models with and without an assessment of mass transfer coefficients. Prediction of breakthrough.
NB. Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.