2023
Separation Processes in Biochemistry and Biotechnology
Name: Separation Processes in Biochemistry and Biotechnology
Code: QUI13629L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Biochemistry, Chemistry
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English
Regime de Frequência: Presencial
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
The general objective of this unit is to give a knowledge which allow to apply the concepts of separation to biologic products at pilot and industrial scale.
At the end of this course, the students should:
- know the usual separation processes for the production of biologic products and understand their operation;
- relate the separation processes with each other and distinguish their resemblances and differences;
- be able to apply the fundamental concepts of basic sciences (Chemistry, Physics, Chemical Engineering) in the mathematical treatment of the operation and design processes.
Students should also be able to:
- choose the most appropriate separation method for a given situation;
- develop short downstream engineering sequences, understanding where the different steps of the process should be placed;
- size some industrial equipment by scale-up from lab scale processes;
- communicate ideas and discuss problem solutions in the field of this course.
At the end of this course, the students should:
- know the usual separation processes for the production of biologic products and understand their operation;
- relate the separation processes with each other and distinguish their resemblances and differences;
- be able to apply the fundamental concepts of basic sciences (Chemistry, Physics, Chemical Engineering) in the mathematical treatment of the operation and design processes.
Students should also be able to:
- choose the most appropriate separation method for a given situation;
- develop short downstream engineering sequences, understanding where the different steps of the process should be placed;
- size some industrial equipment by scale-up from lab scale processes;
- communicate ideas and discuss problem solutions in the field of this course.
Contents
Types of separation processes for biological products. Sedimentation and centrifugation: fundamentals. Settlers. Types of centrifuges. Centrifuge scale-up. Ultracentrifugation. Filtration: fundamentals. Filtration media. Design and scale-up of filtration systems. Liquid-liquid extraction: fundamentals. Countercurrent multi-stage liquid extraction. Extractors scale-up and design. Liquid extraction using two aqueous phases. Drying: fundamentals. Heat and mass transport in drying of solids. Psychrometry. Types of dryers. Dryer design. Freeze drying. Membrane processes. Materials used in membranes. Types of membranes and modules. Mass transport in membranes. Dialysis. Reverse osmosis. Ultrafiltration. Microfiltration. Electrodyalisis. Crystalization: principles. Protein crystallization. Design and scale-up of batch crystalysers. Cell lysis and flocculation. Chemical and mechanical methods. Flocculation using electrolytes and polymers.
Teaching Methods
The course unit is composed by theoretical and theoretical-practical sessions.
The theoretical classes are essentially focused on knowledge transmission, though complemented with important moments of analyses, interaction and discussion. The theoretical-practical classes constitute moments of settling and structuring the knowledge, as well as development of skills, by problem solving activities.
The evaluation is composed by a final exam, with the option of two tests (each one contributing 50 % to the final mark).
The theoretical classes are essentially focused on knowledge transmission, though complemented with important moments of analyses, interaction and discussion. The theoretical-practical classes constitute moments of settling and structuring the knowledge, as well as development of skills, by problem solving activities.
The evaluation is composed by a final exam, with the option of two tests (each one contributing 50 % to the final mark).
Teaching Staff
- Alfredo Jorge Palace Carvalho
- Luís Filipe Guerreiro Martins [responsible]
