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, advanced 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 complete practical experiments relevant to course content, use Polymath to solve biological rate expressions and construct a process flow sheet for a biological process using SuperPro software.

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. Modelling and simulation of bioreactors. Bioreaction product separation processes including: cell disruption, solvent extraction, adsorption, filtration, and centrifugation. Final product purification methods: gel filtration, process chromatography, protein crystallisation, spray drying, and lyophilisation. Regulatory and licensing systems in the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries.

1. Possess a knowledge of methodologies for the measurement and control of oxygen mass transfer in aerobic fermentations. 2. Understand and apply 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. 5. Possess a knowledge of the regulatory and licensing systems used in the biochemical industries.

N/A

1. Use an ODE solver computer package for the simulation of complex bioprocessing systems. 2. Show competence in the practical operation of bioprocessing units.

The module is taught through a combination of formal lectures, group tutorial sessions, practical laboratory experiments and computer sessions. Recent research developments are included in the module through review of published articles from Biochemical Engineering 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.