Entry requirements

Protein Biotechnology, 10 credits or completed attendance of Scientific Computing II, 5 credits together with Methods in biotechnology 5 credits.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• describe and compare the fundamental properties of different types of reactors and different modes of operation, as well as determine using appropriate calculations the specifications for one or more reactors in order to fulfil given process requirements in relatively simple systems.
• analyse and calculate material balances for non-reactive as well as reactive processes in single and multiple unit systems.
• explain at a molecular level the mechanisms that are crucial for important for separation processes.
• define and develop mathematical models for planning and optimising industrial chemical and biotechnological separation processes , using relevant mathematical tools.
• give an overview of the overall process in large-scale industrial operations with relevance to production and purification of pharmaceuticals/biomolecules in terms of productivity.

Content

Chemical and biotechnological reactions and adsorption from athermodynamik, kinetic and molecular perspective. Reactors. Steady-state operation. Material balance. Single and multiple unit systems. Degrees of freedom analysis. Rates of reactions. Conversion. Engineering separation methods in pilot and industry scale. Formulating and using mathematical models: empirical models, strictly mechanism-based analytical models, as well as stochastic models. Use of mathematical modelling and calculation programs. Modelling of homogeneous system. Introduction to modelling of two-phase system. Factors that affect productivity, yield and cost.

Instruction

Instruction includes lectures and seminars, tutorials and laboratory exercises. Oral and written presentations of a process project are also included in the course.

Assessment

Written examination is organised at the end of the course (3 credits). Laboratory work and written assignments (2 credits). The final grade is based on a weighted average of the course components.