Chemical and Biological Reaction Engineering Fundamentals

Chemical and biological reaction engineering sits at the intersection of molecular transformations and industrial-scale production. Understanding how to model, design, and optimize these systems is essential for modern engineers working in biotechnology, energy, and materials science. This text-only course guides you from the fundamental concepts of kinetics to the practical design of complex reaction systems. You will start by mastering foundational definitions, chemical thermodynamics, and kinetic rate laws. Next, you will progress to modeling ideal reactors and analyzing biological pathways, incorporating modern computational concepts such as numerical parameter estimation and sensitivity analysis to ensure your skills align with current industry standards. What you'll learn: - Understand the foundational principles of chemical kinetics, reaction rates, and transport phenomena - Design and analyze ideal isothermal and non-isothermal reactors - Model biological reaction kinetics, including enzyme-catalyzed reactions and microbial growth - Apply modern numerical methods to solve complex mass and energy balance equations - Evaluate reactor safety, thermal runaway risks, and system stability - Analyze multi-reaction networks and optimize yield and selectivity This course is structured to build your knowledge systematically, beginning with basic molecular collisions and rate equations before advancing to multi-phase reactor design and biological system modeling. You will read comprehensive explanations, study detailed mathematical formulations, and work through practical engineering scenarios. This course is designed for beginners, engineering students, and practicing professionals looking to refresh their foundational knowledge. No prior reactor design experience is required, though a basic understanding of calculus and general chemistry is helpful. Start reading today to build a strong foundation in chemical and biological reaction engineering.