Hello, Sustainable Bioprocessing

Key features:

Fermentation stage- optimized growth conditions assured through mixing and oxygen supply. At the end of this stage, viable E. coli cells expressing the enzymes of interest will be present in a broth.

Tubular Bioreactor modules- see cross section of a single TBR system. Continuous flow system with flow rates and residence times based on mass transfer kinetics, specific to E. Coli.

Module 1 designed to capture the bulk of the azodyes, module 2 is a polishing step

Both anaerobic and aerobic reactions take place at the same time in both the modules, design based on gas supply (nitrogen vs. oxygen).

Cleaning operation using biodegradable chemical at high flow rate (from holding tank 2)

Continuous recycle system for maximal active and diffusive uptake.

Filter modules- exploring the use of disposable low cost agricultural waste for filtration. 

Small-scale bioreactors are often the workhorse of bioprocess development. We will be carrying out experiments to determine the optimal operating conditions at this scale in order to assess the financial implications of this process at an industrial scale. 

We are using E. coli to cultivate the enzymes necessary for the biodegradation of azo dyes (azo reductase, laccase). By combining information on the production of azo dyes in textile factories and stoichiometric relations, we will design an optimised cell growth (fermentation) stage. 

Some typical things we are thinking about at this stage can be seen in the diagram below: 

We are currently experimenting with several methods of integrating a feasible bioprocess into wastewater treatment or propose industrial end-of-pipe solutions.

Bioprocess engineering is a conglomerate of fields, applied in the context of biological systems, usually to create a product of commercial interest. Application of bioprocessing opens the gateway to eco-friendly alternatives to wastewater treatment, such as dealing with water bodies contaminated with industrial effluents. 

A typical bioprocess involves the fermentation of a stock culture (e.g. E. coli) at a small scale which is subsequently scaled up to suitable production capacities. The products from the fermentative stages are then separated using a variety of techniques designed to exploit the orthogonal properties of desired products. 

Stages of large scale fermentation of E. coli:

Figure 1: typical stages in a bioprocess and scaling

Bioprocess design and key components

1. Requirements

2. State of the art in waste water management