Description and objectives

In this course we will learn basic concepts of mathematics, systems of measurement, mass and energy balances, unit operations, separation processes, chemical reactor design, biochemical and cellular metabolism, and microbiology.



Skills

1. Developing mass and energy balances for industrial and bio-industrial processes, correlating them with operational conditions, flow-rates, concentrations and stoichiometry. [BSc in Biotechnology: MO6CM6.2; BSc in Chemical Engineering M03CM01]

2. Acquiring and integrating basic concepts of science, life science, chemical engineering and biochemistry in product and process engineering. [BSc in Biotechnology: MO6CM6.1; BSc in Chemical Engineering M03CM02]

3. Developing the capacity for autonomous and collaborative learning, encouraging initiative and adapting quick to new situations. [BSc in Biotechnology: T2; BSc in Chemical Engineering M03CM11]

4. Communicating and transferring knowledge, results and ideas in a professional and multidisciplinary environment. [BSc in Biotechnology: T3; BSc in Chemical Engineering M03CM12]

5. Solve simple problems related with chemical engineering and biotechnology. Rising environmental concern, sustainability, ethical and critical judgment. [BSc in Biotechnology: MO6CM6.1; BSc in Chemical Engineering M03CM15]



Learning results:

-Understand the fundamental concepts of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology disciplines

-Analyze and understand the biological and chemical processes

-Solve problems related with Chemical Engineering such as mass and energy balances, separation operations (distillation, extraction) and reactor design

-Communicate and transfer, mainly through writing assessments, the knowledge acquired and the results obtained by problem solving

1 - General concepts of chemical engineering. Flow diagrams. Classification of unit operations. Steady state and transient behaviour. Discontinuous, continuous and semi-continuous processes.

2 - Basics of mathematics and systems of measurement. Introduction to numerical methods for engineers. Units and dimensions. Dimensional homogeneity. Usual physicochemical properties in chemical engineering and biotechnology. Data presentation and analysis: types of graphics.

3 - Mass balances: law of conservation of mass. Steady state and transient behaviours. Solving Strategies: calculation base and control volume. Global and partial mass balances. Processes with recirculation, bypass and purge.

4 - Energy Balances: law of conservation of energy. Energy types. The general energy equation. Enthalpy balances. Applications to steady and transient states.

5 - Basics of unit operations in chemical engineering. Transport Phenomena: momentum, heat and mass. Transport mechanisms.

6 - Basics of separation processes. Gas-liquid Equilibrium: batch and flash distillation. Liquid-liquid equilibrium.

7 - Introduction to the design of chemical reactors. Homogeneous batch reactor. Continuous tubular reactor and continuous stirred tank reactor. Continuous stirred tank reactors in series.

8 - Biochemistry and cell metabolism. Metabolic processes. Main metabolic pathways. Regulation of metabolic pathways. Primary and secondary metabolites.

9 - Basics of microbiology. Microorganisms of industrial interest. Cell growth factors. Improvement of microorganism production. Sterilization practice.

10 - Kinetics and stoichiometry of microbial growth. Stoichiometry and cellular balances. Discontinuous phases of microbial growth. Non-structured growth models. Substrate inhibition. Product inhibition. Competitive two limiting substrates.

Types of teaching:



-No-Classroom Activities (NCA)

Will be distributed evenly throughout the semester. The burden of no-classroom activities will be lower during the weeks when special activities of other subjects (corresponding to the first course) are being undertaken. Specific information will be provided in this regard.

-Tutorials (T)

Fundamentally oriented to exercise resolution and problem solving.

-Seminars (S)

Students gathered in groups will develop a small project, requiring the skills acquired in the course: flowcharting, mass and energy balances, and separation operations reactors, among others. Seminar sessions will be determined accounting the number of students.

-Exercises (E)

The exercises are designed to develop the key skills associated with this course, with a parallel learning of other capacities as analysis, synthesis, communication, teamwork and self-study.

The evaluation of the subject is based on the continuous assessment.



CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT:

• 3 partial, individual, written exams (personal assignments): 60% of the final mark (development of competencies 1,2 and 5)

• Group assignment: 40% of the final mark (development of competencies 3 and 4)



A minimum score of 4/10 will be required for the personal and group assignments. Under this criteria, if the average score is higher than 5 the student can pass the subject



The student can resign the continuous assessment, independently on her/his personal participation, and choose the final evaluation. In order to do so, she/he must send a written resignation in a period up to the 9th week from the starting of the course (week 25)



The student who does not pass the subject trough the continuous assessment can be evaluated by the final exam:

-Writing part (personal assignment) with theory and exercises – 60% of the final mark

-Group assignment – 40% of the final mark



The group assignment in the final exam is only necessary for those students who have not passed it in the continuous assessment.



Not sitting the final exam will be enough not to be evaluated by continuous assessment, because the final exam counts towards more than 40% of the final mark.



In the exam, electronic devices and any other material that has not been authorized by the teacher are forbidden.



In the particular case where the continuous evaluation cannot be performed, the final exam will account for 100% of the final grade.



If any students cannot carry out the assessment in the terms described above due to sanitary conditions, they will have to follow the assessment guidelines issued by the Rectorate at the time of sitting the exam.

Basic bibliography

Calleja F y otros; Introducción a la Ingeniería Química. Ed. Síntesis, 1999.

Costa, L.J.; Cervera, M.S.; Cunill, G.F.; Espulgas, V.S.; Mans, T.C. y Mata, A.J.; Curso de Química Técnica, Ed. Reverté, Barcelona, 1984.

Felder, R.M. y Rousseau, R.W.; Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes, Ed. Wiley, Nueva York, 1986. Traducción al castellano: Addison-Wesley, 1991.

Himmelblau, D.M.; Principios Básicos y Cálculos en Ingeniería Química, Ed. Prentice-Hall (6ª Edición en Español), México, 1997.

Bullock, J. D.; Kristiansen, B.; Biotecnología basica; Acribia, Zaragoza, 1991.

Gódia, F.; López, J.; Ingeniería Bioquímica, Ed. Síntesis, Madrid, 1998.

In-depth bibliography

Reklaitis, G.V.; Introduction to Material and Energy Balances, Wiley, Nueva Cork, 1983. Traducción al castellano Interamericana, México, 1986.
Peiró Pérez, J.J.; Balances de Materia. Problemas Resueltos y Comentados, Ed. Univ. Politécnica de Valencia, Valencia, 1997.
Wiseman, A.; Principios de biotecnología; Acribia, Zaragoza, 1985.