Projeto de Indústrias Biotecnológicas

Objectives

The main goals of this course is to introduce students to systematic methods for bioprocess design and the elaboration of a final project for the production of a bioproduct (mainly at the level of the biochemical, pharmaceutical and food industries), using a design and simulation software (SuperPro Designer). With the elaboration of this project students are expected to develop the skills and competences to elaborate project preliminary diagrams and mass and energy balances of integrated bioprocesses, to select and size the main equipment, as well as choose the appropriated operating conditions, quantify the needs of raw materials and utilities, and perform the economic and sensibility analysis of the bioprocess.

Syllabus

This course consists of two parts: The first part (1st period) will be focused in the development of the necessary skills to elaborate bioprocess diagrams, to perform mass and energy balances, to select and to dimension the main equipment, to assess the environmental impact and to scale up/down continuous and batch bioprocesses. For batch bioprocesses, the construction of scheduling charts (Gantt charts), the calculation of batch time, cycle time, number of batches per year, annual and batch production will be studied, as well as the identification of the bottleneck equipment. The second part (2nd period) will be focused in the development of the necessary skills to perform the economic evaluation of a project (estimation of the capital investment, the operating costs, the production cost and profitability indices) and to perform the sensibility analyses

Prerequisites

Basic knowledge on mass and energy balances for biological processes, biorectors and separation/purification processes of bioproducts (very important the skills achieved in the courses “Bioprocess Engineering Principles” and “Biochemical Engineering” from this MSc).

Cross Competence Component

During this course students have to show a good strategy, creativity and develop a critical thinking to solve pratical problems in the tutorial classes, as well as a good consolidation and an efficient use of acquired knowledges. With the assessment in group, and due to the elaboration of a project with so many variables initially unknown, students have to show good teamwork skills, initiative, productivity, good time management and a high stress tolerance. These skills are mainly assessed through the elaboration of reports, within predefined deadlines.

Programming And Computing Component

Most of the tutorial classes will be held at the Information Technologies Laboratory, where students will learn to use the design and simulation software (SuperPro Designer) and to solve several practical problems (case studies).

Ethical Principles

All members of a group are responsible for the group’s work In any assessment every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used. In an oral assessment, every student shall be alble to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.