All programmes > Bioconversion Technology

Bioconversion Technology (B-KUL-H09F2A)

3 ECTSEnglish28 First termCannot be taken as part of an examination contract
Bernaerts Kristel
POC Chemische ingenieurstechnieken

Aims

After this course, the students 

  • have obtained a basic knowledge on technical and operational aspects of diverse bioreactor types (e.g., solid state systems, cell retention systems, photobioreactors), and can reason on the bioreactor design for new processes 
  • have knowledge on classical and advanced online and offline monitoring techniques for bioreactor processes, and can propose monitoring strategies for (new) bioreactor processes. 
  • Understand the principles of structured and segregated model types for (complex) bioprocesses in view of process analysis, design, and optimization, and can formulate modelling strategies for new processes  

Previous knowledge

Basic knowledge of biochemical process engineering  

Identical courses

This course is identical to the following courses:
I0V83A : Bioconversion Technology (No longer offered this academic year)

Is included in these courses of study

Activities

2.5 ects. Bioconversion Technology: Lecture (B-KUL-H09F2a)

2.5 ECTSEnglishFormat: Lecture18 First term
Bernaerts Kristel
POC Chemische ingenieurstechnieken

Content

Broadly spoken, bioconversion refers to the conversion of substrates into added-value products by enzymes or cells which can be bacteria, fungi, microalgae, plant or mammalian cells. According to a more narrow definition, bioconversion or biotransformation refers to the conversion of organic materials, such as plant or animal waste, into useful products or energy sources by microorganisms. In this course, the most broad sense of definition is used.  

This course does not focus on the biology of the biological processes but wants to create insight in the engineering principles, design, monitoring and operation of different types of bioreactors for diverse (micro)biological processes. Examples of bioprocesses shall be used to demonstrate the application of different bioreactor types, the application of traditional and advanced sensors for online and offline process follow-up, and the application of advanced mathematical models for (complex) bioprocesses. 

Topics covered in the lecturers are: 

Bioreactor configurations  

  • Liquid state fermentations 
  • Solid state fermentations 
  • Cell retention systems (e.g., membrane bioreactors, immobilized cell systems, perfusion bioreactors) 
  • Specialized systems (e.g., photobioreactors, tissue bioreactor) 

Monitoring and control of bioreactors  

  • Standard online sensors for bioreactors (e.g., T, pH, dissolved oxygen, optical density, off-gas analysis) 
  • Advanced online and off-line monitoring for bioprocesses (e.g., capacitance-based biomass monitor, flow injection analysis, microscopic and image analysis)   
  • Software sensors (e.g., specific biomass growth rate)  
  • Basic control principles (PID)  

Structured and segregated bioprocess models  

  • Structured model related to morphology, internal storage components, metabolic pathways 
  • Segregated models related to population heterogeneity 

Course material

Handouts of the slides used in the lectures and any other study material used during the course (e.g., papers).  All material will be made available on Toledo.

0.5 ects. Bioconversion Technology: Seminar (B-KUL-H09F3a)

0.5 ECTSEnglishFormat: Assignment10 First term
Bernaerts Kristel
POC Chemische ingenieurstechnieken

Content

The students give a seminar on a selected bioconversion process. Teams of approximately 4 students prepare a presentation and supporting material on the case study, and explain and reflect on various aspects linked to the course (e.g. bioreactor design and operation, monitoring, modelling) and elaborate on economic and sustainability aspects of the process. 

Course material

Slides and documentation prepared by the students 

Evaluation

Evaluation: Bioconversion Technology (B-KUL-H29F2a)

Type : Partial or continuous assessment with (final) exam during the examination period
Description of evaluation : Presentation, Oral
Type of questions : Open questions
Learning material : Calculator

Explanation


The evaluation consists of two parts: (i) the evaluation of the students’ seminar (4 points out of 20), and (ii) an oral (closed book) exam during the examination period (16 points out of 20). 

Evaluation criteria for the seminar are, e.g., quality of the content, quality of the presentation, quality of the documentation, and participation in the discussion forum.   

The oral exam (with written preparation) is closed book and consists of open questions covering the different topics presented during the course.  

If students opt out for contributing to the seminar without a valid reason (doctor certificate, or approval by the course responsible for any other reason), the student will receive no points for the seminar and 2 points are subtracted from the overall course score.  

Information about retaking exams

It is possible to retake the exam part that was examined during the examination period. The score for the seminar will not be changed. If students opt out for contributing to the seminar without a valid reason (doctor certificate, or approval by the course responsible for any other reason), the student will receive no points for the seminar and 2 points are subtracted from the global course score.