Course syllabus for Bioreaction engineering

After completing the course, the students should be able to

• calculate stoichiometry, yields, turnover, and reaction kinetics in chemical and biotechnological reactors
• estimate the effects of different factors on mass and heat transfer, and explain the theoretical basis for these effects
• optimise reactor systems in terms of reactor size, modes of operation, temperature, flow rates, and recirculation
• simulate cell growth, substrate consumption and product formation in batch, fed-batch and continuous reactors, using mathematical modelling on a microscopic (reactions and cell metabolism) as well as a macroscopic (bioreactor) level
• reflect on how dynamic mass and energy balances and optimisation of reactors and reactor systems influence the use of resources like water, raw materials and energy
• plan and perform experiments in bioreactors using good laboratory practice. Critically analyse experimental results and conclusions
  

• chemical and biotechnological reactors
• dynamic and stationary mass and energy balances in ideal stirred tank and plug flow reactors
• microbial cultivation techniques
• mathematical modelling (micro- and macroscopic)
• kinetics of growth and product formation
• optimisation
• mass transfer
• biotechnical monitoring techniques
• industrial processes
• non-ideal reactors
• residence time distributions

The final grade is based on the written final exam, which contains calculations (ca. 90%) and descriptive (ca. 10%) questions.

Students must also pass the compulsory assignments, simulations and laboratory work. The lab is examined via the assignments and a lab report in which students describe the experiments and calculate, for example, reaction rates and yields from their own experimental results. Detailed instructions will be given during the course.