Chemical and Biological Reaction Engineering Fundamentals

How do you design a chemical reactor that safely and efficiently scales from a laboratory beaker to an industrial production plant? Understanding the core principles of kinetics, thermodynamics, and transport phenomena is essential for anyone entering the fields of chemical and biological engineering. This course provides a clear, step-by-step introduction to the quantitative analysis and design of chemical and biological reaction systems. You will transition from a foundational understanding of reaction rates and stoichiometry to confidently designing multiple reactor types, including batch, continuous stirred-tank (CSTR), and plug flow reactors (PFR). Along the way, you will explore how these principles apply directly to modern biological systems, such as enzyme kinetics and bioreactor operation. What you'll learn: - Understand foundational chemical kinetics, reaction rates, and rate law formulations - Analyze and design ideal chemical reactors including batch, CSTR, and PFR systems - Apply mass and energy balances to non-isothermal reactor operations - Model biological reactions using Michaelis-Menten kinetics and cell growth equations - Evaluate reactor safety, runaway reactions, and basic thermal stability criteria - Practice solving reaction engineering problems using systematic, step-by-step mathematical workflows This course begins with essential terminology, chemical stoichiometry, and basic kinetic concepts before moving into reactor design equations and biological applications. Each section is designed to build your confidence through clear written explanations, detailed derivations, and practical calculation examples. This course is designed for beginners, engineering students, and professionals looking for a solid refresher in reaction engineering. No prior background in reactor design is required, though a basic understanding of general chemistry and introductory calculus is helpful. Start reading today to build a strong foundation in chemical and biological reaction engineering.