Module: Design and Operation of Bioreactors

Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Design and Operation of Bioreactors
Module Code	BE322
School	School of Biotechnology
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Brian Freeland Semester 2: Brian Freeland Autumn: Brian Freeland
Module Teachers	Paula Meleady Brian Freeland Denise Harold Damien King
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Coursework Only
Array

Description

In this module the student is introduced to the main features of bioreactors including their design, control, operation and instrumentation.

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe the main features of bioreactors and associated instrumentation
2. Demonstrate an understanding of temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen control in bioreactors
3. Demonstrate an understanding of heat and mass transfer in bioreactors, including the role of mixing, agitator design and sparger design
4. Apply simple rules for the scale-up of bioreactors
5. Describe the main techniques used to separate cells from the bioreactor medium
6. Use simple engineering models to design and analyse filtration and centrifugation processes.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	12	On campus lectures (bioreactors)
Online activity	12	Online asynchronous lectures
Independent Study	16	Completion of problem sets
Independent Study	4	Viewing and study of solutions to problem sets
Group work	6	Completion of team assignment (bioreactors)
Independent Study	75	Study and revision
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Bioreactor construction and instrumentation
The main characteristics of bioreactors. The standard configuration. Temperature, pH and DO probes. Biomass probes and PAT.

Control of bioreactors
The feedback concept. On-off control. PI control. Controller response characteristics

Heat, mass and momentum transfer in bioreactors
Power number and Reynolds number in bioreactors. The formation and dynamics of bubbles in agitated systems. Measuring and predicting the kLa in bioreactors. Sterilization and cooling of bioreactors.

Scale-up bioreactors
Geometric similarity. Mixing times. Scale-up rules.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
In Class Test	In-class test on bioreactor design and operation and processes	50%	n/a
Assignment	Team assignment (including team presentation)	25%	n/a
Assignment	Individual assignment on a research article related to bioprocessing and bioreactors	25%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

B. Atkinson and F. Mavituna: 1991, Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology Handbook, 2nd Ed., Macmillan, 1561590126
P. Doran: 1995, Bioprocess Engineering Principles, P. Doran, Academic Press, London, 0122208552
H.W. Blanch and D.S. Clark: 1996, Biochemical Engineering, Marcel Dekker, New York, 0824789490
J.D. Bu'Lock and B. Kristiansen: 1987, Basic Biotechnology, Academic Press, London, 0121407527
A.H.Scragg: 1991, Bioreactors in Biotechnology - A Practical Approach, E. Horwood, New York, 0130851434
J.E. Bailey and D.F. Ollis: 1986, Biochemical Engineering Fundamentals, 2nd, McGraw-Hill, New York, 0070032122

Other Resources

None

Programme or List of Programmes

AFU	Age Friendly University Programme
BP	BSc in Bioprocessing
BSSA	Study Abroad (DCU Business School)
BSSAO	Study Abroad (DCU Business School)
BT	BSc in Biotechnology
HMSA	Study Abroad (Humanities & Soc Science)
HMSAO	Study Abroad (Humanities & Soc Science)
IESA	Study Abroad (Institute of Education)
IESAO	Study Abroad (Institute of Education)
SHSA	Study Abroad (Science & Health)
SHSAO	Study Abroad (Science & Health)

Date of Last Revision

01-OCT-08

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