Bioprocess Engineering

This subject is not offered in 2011.

Students must have taken the following subject prior to enrolling in this subject:

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements for this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Enzymic process. Michaelis-Menten approach. Kinetics of enzyme inhibition. Immobilised enzymes. Batch microbial growth and product formation. Continuous culture. Microbial growth kinetics. Application of Monod model to batch and chemostat culture. Kinetics of product formation. Maintenance energy and endogenous respiration. Design of fermentation processes. Medium formulation and inoculum preparation. Industrial sterilisation processes. Calculation of sterility level. HTST sterilisation. Design of continuous sterilisers. Air sterilisation. Vessel design for aseptic operation. Fermenter design configurations. Aeration of fermenters. Oxygen requirements of microorganisms. Mixing in fermenters. Biochemical separation processes.

Practical work (Microbiology laboratory).

Upon completion of this subject, students will be able to

• Describe the biological and kinetic concepts underlying bioprocesses engineering and
• To describe procedures for the design and control of industrial scale fermentation and biological waste treatment processes.

• One three-hour examination at the end of semester 1 contributing 70% to the assessment. A grade greater than 50% in the exam is required to pass the subject.
• One written assignment worth 20%.
• Two practical work assignments not exceeding a total of 1000 words contributing 10% to the assessment.

Schuler, M.L. and Kargi F. Bioprocess Engineering – Basic Concepts, 2002 2nd edition, Prentice hall PTD, Upper Saddle River NY. (Multiple copies of this book are available on 7 day loan at the univeristy library)

Bailey J.E. and Ollis, D.F. Biochemical Engineering Fundamentals, 1986, 2nd edition, McGraw-Hill NY. (Multiple copies of this book are available on 28 day loan at the univeristy library)

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• capacity for independent thought

• the ability to analyse and solve open-ended problems

• the ability to comprehend complex concepts and communicate lucidly this understanding

• awareness of advanced technologies in the discipline

• ability to work in a team (practical work component)