Introduction to Biocatalysis and Bioconversion Process Design

Traditional chemical synthesis often relies on harsh conditions and hazardous reagents, but biological catalysts offer a highly efficient, sustainable alternative. Understanding how to integrate biological systems into industrial process design is becoming essential for modern chemical and process engineers. This text-only course guides you through the fundamental principles of biocatalysis, helping you transition from classic chemical engineering concepts to biological process design. You will learn how to evaluate biological systems, choose between enzymes and whole cells, and address key engineering challenges in bioconversion. What you'll learn: - Understand the core terminology of biocatalysis, enzyme kinetics, and biological chemical pathways. - Compare the practical advantages and limitations of using free enzymes versus whole-cell systems. - Evaluate bioconversion parameters to select the most efficient biological catalysts for specific industrial reactions. - Analyze process design constraints, including mass transfer, reaction kinetics, and downstream processing. - Apply modern green chemistry principles to evaluate the environmental and economic impact of bioprocesses. - Solve common engineering and biological challenges encountered during the scale-up of bioconversion systems. The course begins with foundational definitions and key biological concepts before moving into practical engineering applications and process design workflows. You will progress from theoretical concepts to real-world design scenarios through structured reading and self-paced written exercises. This course is designed for beginner-level chemical engineering students, industrial chemists, and process engineers looking to expand their knowledge of biological systems, with no prior biotechnology experience required. Start learning today to build a solid foundation in modern biocatalytic engineering.