1.

2.

Name of Subject
Subject Code

3.

Name(s) of
academic staff
Semester and Year
offered
Total
Student
Learning
Time
(SLT)

4.
5.

Table 3: Summary of information on each subject

BIOREACTOR DESIGN
ECE4463

YEAR 4 SEMESTER 1
L

L = Lecture
T = Tutorial
P = Practical
O = Others

35

21

64

7.
8.
9.

Credit Value
Prerequisite (if any)
Objective

10.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this subject, students are expected to be able to:-

The objective of this subject is to provide students with necessary knowledge in the
design and analysis of bioreactor.

CLO1. Design and analyze batch, continuous flow, and fed batch bioreactors, using
appropriate model equations.
CLO2. Evaulate the heat and mass transfer effect in bioreactor.
CLO3. Select a suitable bioreactor configuration.
CLO4. Perform a bioreactor scale-up.
CLO5. Design the sterilization, instrumentation and control system for a bioreactor.
11.

Synopsis
This subject covers the analyses and design of bioreactors of batch, fed-batch, and
continuous flow types. It also covers biological reaction kinetics, applications of
transport phenomena in gas-liquid systems, aseptic design and reactor engineering
design for different reactor types using cells or enzymes, free or immobilized, and scaleup.

12.

Mode of Delivery

13.

Assessment
Methods and Types

Lectures and problem based learning

Course work
: 30%
Final Examination: 70%

14.

Mapping of CLO to
PO
PO1
CLO1
CLO2
CLO3
CLO4
CLO5

X
X
X
X
X

PO2

PO3

PO4

X
X
X
X
X

X
X
X
X
X

PO5

PO6

PO7

PO8

PO9

PO10

PO11

With your CLO, map them to PO that we have decided, maximum 4 ticks only.
Note: CLO denotes Course Learning Outcome and PO is Programme Outcome. CLO
details can be referred to Section 10 in this document and the PO details are as follow:No
PO1
PO2
PO3
PO4
PO5
PO6
PO7
PO8
PO9
PO10
PO11

15.

Programme Learning Outcome (PLO)

Ability to acquire and apply fundamental principles of science and
engineering
Capability to communicate effectively
Acquisition of technical competence in specialised areas of engineering
discipline
Ability to identify, formulate and model problems and find engineering
solutions based on a systems approach
Ability to conduct investigation and research on engineering problems
Understanding of the importance of sustainability and cost-effectiveness in
design and development of engineering solutions
Understanding and commitment to professional and ethical
responsibilities
Ability to work effectively as an individual, and as a member/leader in a
team
Ability to be a multi-skilled engineer with good technical knowledge,
management, leadership and entrepreneurial skills
Awareness of the social, cultural, global and environmental responsibilities
as an engineer
Capability and enthusiasm for self-improvement through continuous
professional development and life-long learning

Content outline of the subject and the SLT per topic

INTRODUCTION TO BIOREACTOR AND BIOPROCESS
Historical development of bioprocess technology
Outline of an integrated bioprocess and the various (upstream and
down stream) unit operations involved in bioprocesses
Generalized process flow sheets
BIOCHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
Phases of cell growth in batch cultures
Simple unstructured kinetic models for microbial growth
Monod model
Growth of filamentous organisms
Growth associated (primary) and nongrowth associated (secondary)
product formation
Kinetics Leudeking-Piret models
Substrate and product inhibition on cell growth and product formation
Introduction to structured models for growth and product formation

Lecture

Tutorial

PBL

HEAT TRANSFER IN BIOREACTOR

Jackets surrounding the surface of the vessel
Internal surfaces, such as coils or vertical baffles
Circulation through an external heat exchanger
Design equations
MASS TRANSFER IN BIOREACTOR
Constant volume batch reactor
Variable volume batch reactor
Integral and differential methods of analysis
Mass transfer effect
AERATION & MIXING
Mass transfer and microbial respiration
Bubbles dynamic
Bubble aeration and mechanical agitation
Correlation between oxygen transfer coefficient and operating
variables
Factors affecting volumetric oxygen transfer
Rheology of fermentation fluids
DESIGN CONSIDERATION
Conversion of mass in reactors
Performance equation for ideal stirred tank reactor
Tubular flow reactor
Batch reactor
Space time
Space velocity
Suspended cell systems
Immobilized cell systems
Sterilizing process fluids and equipment
BIOREACTOR CONFIGURATIONS
Design for sterile operation
Photo-bioreactors
Heat transfer
Shear effects in culture
BIOREACTOR DESIGN
Ideal bioreactors
Reactors with non-ideal mixing
Sterilization
Immobilized biocatalysts
Multiphase bioreactors
Enzyme bio-reactors
Selection, scale-up, operation & control of bioreactors

21

Total Contact Hours

21

35
Equivalent Credit Hour

Total Credits Hours

3
16.

Main references
supporting the
subject

J.M.S. Cabral (2002). Multiphase Bioreactor Design. Taylor & Francis.

P.M. Doran (2009). Bioprocess Engineering Principles. Academic Publishing.
D.S. Kompala (2009). Bioprocess Engineering: Fundamentals and Applications. CRC.
AIChE (2009). Guidelines for Engineering Design for Bioprocess Safety. Wiley.

Additional
references
supporting the
subject

18.

S. Hermanowicz (2007). Effects of Biosolids Properties on Submerged Membrane

Bioreactor Processing. International Water Association.
E. Heinzle, A.P. Biwer and C.L. Cooney (2007). Development of Sustainable
Bioprocesses: Modeling and Assessment. Wiley.

Other additional information

N/A