Biotechnologies bioprocessing systems

See also Biotechnology (Bioprocess Engineering) Carbohydrates Colloid Systems Genetics and Gene Science (Classical) and Industrial Biotechnology. 

Bioprocess Control An industrial fermenter is a fairly sophisticated device with control of temperature, aeration rate, and perhaps pH, concentration of dissolved oxygen, or some nutrient concentration. There has been a strong trend to automated data collection and analysis. Analog control is stiU very common, but when a computer is available for on-line data collec tion, it makes sense to use it for control as well. More elaborate measurements are performed with research bioreactors, but each new electrode or assay adds more work, additional costs, and potential headaches. Most of the functional relationships in biotechnology are nonlinear, but this may not hinder control when bioprocess operate over a narrow range of conditions. Furthermore, process control is far advanced beyond the days when the main tools for designing control systems were intended for linear systems. 

Reinecke, M., and Scheper,T. (1997) Fast on line flow injection analysis system for IgG monitoring in bioprocesses. Journal of Biotechnology, 59, 145 153. 

When used in biotechnology, the first part of a FIA system (see Figure 22-4) is a filtration probe [28-32]. A cell-free sample is drawn from the bioprocess unit (eg, a fermenter) via this probe. Thus, these probes are sterile barriers between the bioprocess and the analysis system, protecting the bioprocess from infections and the analysis system from clogging by cells. Only a few FIA applications utilizing cell-containing samples are known [33]. In those cases, cells and medium are separated inside the FIA system. 

In this chapter, we have described a wide variety of sensors, ranging from pH probes to biosensor-based FIA systems, that can be used to monitor biotechnological processes. At this time, however, not many of the newer instruments (especially biosensors and probes for biomass characterization) presented here are commercially available, and of those that are, only a few have achieved widespread industrial use. This situation probably exists for a number of reasons these sensors have only been developed recently (most within the last 5-10 years) and thus potential users may be unaware of their existence many of these newer probes are expensive (primarily because they are new) and finally, the bioprocess industry has yet to fully accept this new generation of sensors. In addition, many factors are known to affect the accuracy and precision of these more complex instruments, requiring experienced personnel for operation and data interpretation. 

This book is the first in a projected series of multi-author books concerned with the engineering aspects of biotechnology. It is intended to serve the established professional and also to encourage students to take up careers in this field. The mathematical analysis of microbiological systems and bioprocesses will be given prominence in this series. The first volume deals with some hitherto neglected areas the dynamics of fermentation fluids, enzyme applications, internal regulation of metabolic... 

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