2. • Unit operation
• Unit process
• Process design
• Chemical reaction kinetics
• Process variables
• Biochemical properties
• Process control
Biochemical engineering plays a critical role in the
fermentation industry, where microorganisms are used to
produce various products through fermentation processes.
3. 1. Unit operation
• In the context of biochemical engineering, unit operations refer to
individual steps or processes involved in fermentation, such as
sterilization, aeration, mixing, and separation.
• These operations are crucial for creating an environment suitable
for the growth and metabolic activity of microorganisms. It is
industrial operation without change in chemical nature.
• It involves many physical and chemical operations. The
fermentation process has many common chemical engineering
operations which involves mixing of heterogeneous phases micro-
organism medium, air, etc. Mass transfer oxygen transfer from air to
micro-organism, heat transfer from media (fermentation process).
• Biochemical engineering has made major contribution in designing
of equipment to provide large volume of sterile medium and air.
• It involves specific steps or processes within a larger fermentation
operation.
• The status of unit operations in the fermentation industry shows on-
going advancements to optimize efficiency, scalability, and product
quality.
4. Some notable trends include:
• Bioreactor Technology: Continuous improvements in bioreactor design
and technology have led to more efficient and versatile systems. This
includes the development of single-use bioreactors, advanced sensors,
and automation for real-time process control.
• Mixing and Agitation: Researchers and engineers are continually exploring
new mixing and agitation strategies to improve mass transfer, maintain
uniformity, and reduce shear stress on microorganisms, ultimately
enhancing fermentation performance.
• Aeration and Oxygen Transfer: Efficient oxygen transfer is critical for
aerobic fermentation processes. The industry is focused on developing
innovative aeration methods and optimizing oxygen transfer rates to
improve productivity.
• Nutrient Supply: The optimization of nutrient supply strategies, such as
fed-batch and continuous feeding, plays a crucial role in achieving high
yields and reducing the cost of fermentation processes.
• Downstream Processing: Advances in separation and purification
technologies have enabled more efficient downstream processing, leading
to higher product yields and improved product purity.
5. 2. Unit process
• A unit process involves a combination of unit operations to
achieve a specific goal in the fermentation process. For
example, a typical fermentation unit process may include steps
like sterilization, inoculation, fermentation, and product
recovery.
• The process in which chemical and physical changes are
brought about into complex substance to form simple complex
form of them.
• Unit processes involve a combination of unit operations to
achieve specific goals within a fermentation process.
• The status of unit processes in the fermentation industry
reflects on-going efforts to streamline operations, reduce
resource consumption, and increase product yield.
6. Key developments include:
• Strain Development: Researchers are continuously working on strain
development and metabolic engineering to enhance microorganism
performance, leading to higher product yields and improved substrate
utilization.
• Fermentation Optimization: Biochemical engineers are increasingly
adopting statistical and computational methods to optimize fermentation
conditions and maximize product formation while minimizing by-products
and impurities.
• Scale-Up and Scale-Down: Scale-up from laboratory to industrial
production and scale-down for high-throughput screening are areas of
focus. Developing reliable scaling methodologies ensures efficient and
consistent production at different scales.
• Process Integration: Integrating different unit processes into a cohesive
fermentation operation is essential for overall process efficiency and
economics. Research is on-going to optimize the integration of various
stages in the production chain.
7. 3. Process design
• Process design in biochemical engineering involves the selection and
arrangement of unit operations and unit processes to optimize the
overall fermentation process.
• This includes considerations such as bioreactor design, nutrient supply,
and waste management to ensure efficient and economical production.
• Process design is a critical aspect of biochemical engineering in the
fermentation industry. It involves selecting and arranging unit
operations and unit processes to achieve specific production goals
while considering factors like safety, cost, and environmental impact.
8. • Modeling and Simulation: The use of mathematical models and
computer simulations allows biochemical engineers to predict the
behavior of fermentation processes under different conditions,
aiding in process optimization and decision-making.
• Bioprocess Analytics: Analytical tools and data-driven approaches
are increasingly employed to monitor and control fermentation
processes in real-time, ensuring consistent product quality and
adherence to specifications.
• Sustainability and Green Engineering: There is a growing emphasis
on sustainable process design, with efforts to minimize waste,
energy consumption, and environmental impact, while maximizing
resource utilization and process efficiency.
• Process Safety: Ensuring process safety remains a top priority in
process design. Biochemical engineers employ advanced risk
assessment and safety protocols to minimize the likelihood of
accidents and mitigate potential hazards.
9. 4. Chemical Reaction Kinetics: Understanding the kinetics of
biochemical reactions is essential for optimizing fermentation
processes. It involves studying the rate at which microorganisms
consume substrates and produce desired products. This knowledge
helps in determining the optimal operating conditions and
controlling the fermentation process.
5. Process Variables: Process variables refer to the key parameters
that influence the fermentation process, such as temperature, pH,
dissolved oxygen, agitation rate, nutrient concentration, and
microbial growth rate. Monitoring and controlling these variables
are critical for maintaining the desired fermentation conditions and
maximizing product yield.
10. 5. Biochemical Properties: Knowledge of the biochemical
properties of microorganisms, such as their growth requirements,
metabolic pathways, and product formation capabilities, is
fundamental in designing efficient fermentation processes.
6. Process Control : Process control involves the use of
instrumentation and automation to regulate and adjust process
variables in real-time. It ensures that the fermentation process
operates within the desired range, preventing any deviations that
could impact product quality and yield.
