XWT-31305 Bioreactor Design

Course

Credits 5.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

An absolute minimum requirement is that you are fluent in calculus, specifically in the following subjects: (sets of) algebraic equations (for several variables). The student is able to solve ordinary first-order differential equations by separation of variables and to solve integral calculus (including partial fractions) and differentiation, exponential and logarithmic functions. Further requirements are: understanding of chemical stoichiometry and of setting up component balances including transfer between phases and conversion. This course follows after the coursesXWT-20305 Mathematical Principles in Water Technology; XWT-23805 Transport Phenomena in Water Technology; and XWT-33305 Chemical Reaction Design.

Contents:

The course teaches you how to set up mass and energy balances for reactors applied in water technology, taking into account simultaneous conversion and transport processes. The following aspects are treated:
- models for biological reaction kinetics and stoichiometry;
- one-phase reactors, conversion rate limited by dissolved reactant;
- two-phase reactors, conversion rate limited by gaseous reactant;
- reactors with retention of dispersed cells, conversion rate limited by dissolved or gaseous reactant;
- reactors with cell aggregates, conversion rate limited by gaseous or dissolved reactant diffusing into aggregates;
- photo-bioreactors, conversion rate limited by light or (supply or removal of) gaseous reactant.

Learning outcomes:

After the course the student is able to:
- construct mathematical models bases on balances for elements, reactants or products, combined with appropriate equations for conversion and transport kinetics, and able to use these models to achieve the goals below, i.e. able to:
- design reactors with mass transfer between two ideally mixed fluid phases, for continuous, fed-batch, batch operation;
- design reactors with mass transfer between one ideally mixed fluid phase and a fluid phase moving in ideal plug flow, for continuous, fed-batch, batch operation;
- design reactors with mass transfer between two ideally mixed fluid phases and an ideal plug flow compartment with conversion, for continuous, fed-batch, batch operation;
- design reactors with diffusion into cell aggregates surrounded by an ideally mixed fluid phase which exchanges mass with a second ideally mixed fluid phase (the equation for the penetration depth of the rate-limiting reactant/product is given; its derivation is not included, continuous, fed-batch, and batch operation are included;
- design reactors with diffusion into cell aggregates surrounded by one fluid phase moving in ideal plug flow (the equation for the penetration depth of the rate-limiting reactant/product is given; its derivation is not included, only continuous operation is included);
- design photo-bioreactors with mass transfer between two ideally mixed fluid phases and one ideal plug flow compartment with conversion, only for continuous reactors in steady state;
- handle various expressions for the intrinsic reaction kinetics for all reactors above;
- apply judicious simplifications to a reactor design model for all reactors above, to allow analytical solution;
- analyze scale-up effects and physical limits in the design;
- analyze differences between reactor types and modes of operation, and exploit these differences for various design goals.
Complete the above mentioned design tasks independently and without access to materials used during the course or similar materials from other sources.

Activities:

There is a limited number of lectures and frequent opportunities for guided exercises are offered.

Examination:

The final exam of the course consists of a written exam (100%).

Literature:

A reader
Lecture slides;
exercise syllabus (with exercises and extensive answers) are compulsory for this course.