Module: Bioreaction Engineering for Bioprocessing

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Bioreaction Engineering for Bioprocessing
Module Code	BTE1046
Faculty	Biotechnology	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module provides the student with an introduction to chemical, biochemical and microbial kinetics as well as the design and analysis of batch, fed-batch and continuous bioreactors.

Learning Outcomes

1. To understand the concept of a reaction rate for chemical, biochemical and microbial reactions
2. To be able to formulate overall and solute balances for batch bioreactors
3. To be able to formulate the solute and overall balances for fed-batch bioreactors
4. To be able to formulate the solute balances for continuous stirred tank reactors.
5. To be able to write computer code to simulation the performance of batch, fed-batch and continuous bioreactor performance.
6. To have knowledge and understanding of novel bioreactor conflations

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Lectures
Independent Study	101	Study and problem-solving
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	11810	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Vijai Kumar Gupta	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	In-Class Test/MCQ	30%	n/a
Assignment	Group Assignment/Presentation	30%	n/a
Formal Examination	Written exam on coursework	40%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Principles of chemical and biochemical kinetics
Rate equations; kinetic data analysis; 1st and second order reaction order reactions; complex reaction; enzyme-catalysed reactions; inhibition;

Principles of microbial kinetics
Monod kinetics; the yield coefficient; cell death; cell maintenance; product formation;

Modelling of microbial growth in batch bioreactors
Formulation of cell and substrate balances in batch bioreactors; Exact solution of monod kinetics; simulation of cell growth using Berkeley Madonna and complex kinetics

Modelling of fed-batch bioreactors
The crabtree effect; formulation of solute balances in fed-batch systems; simulation of fed-batch bioreactors using Berkeley Madonna; operation of fed-batch bioreactors with exponential feed

Continuous bioreactors
Formulation of solute balances cell growth in a continuous stirred tank bioreactor; perfect mixing; dilution rate; washout; recycle; modelling of non-perfectly mixed CSTBs; plug-flow bioreactors; axial dispersion; tanks in series; simulation of tanks in series models.

Novel Bioreactor configurations
Packed bed bioreactors; airlift loop bioreactors; bubble column bioreactors

Indicative Reading List

Books:

James M. Lee: 2009, Biochemical Engineering, Prentice Hall, 9780130853172
John Villadsen , Jens Nielsen , Gunnar Lidén: 2011, Bioreaction Engineering Principles, Third Edition Ed., Springer, 9781441996879
N. S. Punekar: 2018, ENZYMES: Catalysis, Kinetics and Mechanisms, Springer, 9789811307843
Irving J. Dunn, Elmar Heinzle, John Ingham, Jiří E. Přenosil: 2003, Biological Reaction Engineering, Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 9783527307593

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None

Module Teachers Vijai Kumar Gupta: vijaikumar.gupta@dcu.ie