The purpose of this module is to introduce students to more advanced aspects of bioprocess engineering, building directly on the fundamentals covered in CG4003. The students will be informed on mass transfer, biochemical kinetics, heat transfer specific to bioprocessing, mass balance, stoichiometric analysis relevant to bioprocessing, downstream processing unit operations, and emerging technologies in bioprocessing. In addition, the students will perform a group poster presentation and complete practical experiments relevant to course content.

Bulk mass transfer effects in fermentation systems. Factors affecting oxygen mass transfer in aerobic fermentations. Measurement of kLa using static and dynamic methods. Control of kLa using correlations with agitator power and other operational variables. Heat transfer in biochemical systems. Heat exchanger design in bioprocessing units. Bioreactor sizing and design for the following reactor types: fed batch, stirred fermenter, bubble column, airlift, packed bed, fluidised bed, trickle bed, and perfusion. Bioreactor scale-up. Operation and feeding regimes: chemostat with recycle, fed batch operation, and multistage reactors. Control methods: feedback, indirect metabolite control, programmed control, and emerging AI-based methods. Bioreaction product separation processes includin: cell disruption, solvent extraction, adsorption, filtration, and centrifugation. Final product purification methods: gel filtration, process chromatography, protein crystallisation, spray drying, and lyophilisation.

On successful completion of this module, students will: 1. Demonstrate knowledge of methodologies for the measurement and control of oxygen mass transfer in aerobic fermentations. 2. Demonstrate an understanding of applying the principles of bioreactor scale-up. 3. Demonstrate advanced skills in the design, sizing, operation and optimisation of bioreactor systems. 4. Demonstrate advanced skills in the selection, sizing and efficiency evaluation of bioproduct separation and purification systems.

N/A

On successful completion of this module, students will show competence in the practical operation of bioprocessing units.

The module is taught through a combination of formal lectures, group tutorial sessions and practical laboratory experiments. Recent research developments are included in the module through review of published articles from Bioprocess journals, and industrial awareness is generated through the use of industrial case studies. In the course of the module, students undertake 1 group project to research a current hot topic in bioprocess engineering, developing their collaborative skills in line with the UL graduate attributes. The module will be assessed by means of a final written exam (50 % of marks), laboratory reports (25 % of marks) and group assignment consisting of oral presentation and report (25 % of marks).