Editing Bioreactor (section)

== Modelling ==
Mathematical models act as an important tool in various bio-reactor applications including wastewater treatment. These models are useful for planning efficient [[process control]] strategies and predicting the future plant performance. Moreover, these models are beneficial in education and research areas.{{citation needed|date=October 2019}}

Bioreactors are generally used in those industries which are concerned with food, beverages and pharmaceuticals. The emergence of ''[[biochemical engineering]]'' is of recent origin. Processing of biological materials using biological agents such as cells, enzymes or antibodies are the major pillars of biochemical engineering. Applications of biochemical engineering cover major fields of civilization such as agriculture, food and healthcare, [[resource recovery]] and fine chemicals.{{citation needed|date=October 2019}}

Until now, the industries associated with biotechnology have lagged behind other industries in implementing control over the process and optimization strategies. A main drawback in biotechnological process control is the problem of measuring key physical and biochemical parameters.<ref>{{cite web |title=An introduction to modeling of bioreactors |first1=Bengt |last1=Carlsson |date=March 24, 2009 |url=https://www.it.uu.se/edu/course/homepage/modynsyst/vt11/Lecture/DynSystBior2009.pdf }}</ref>

=== Operational stages in a bio-process ===
A bioprocess is composed mainly of three stages&mdash;upstream processing, bioreaction, and downstream processing&mdash;to convert raw material to finished product.<ref>{{Citation|last1=Rosser|first1=J.|title=10 - Bioreactor processes for maturation of 3D bioprinted tissue|date=2018-01-01|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780081011034000107|work=3D Bioprinting for Reconstructive Surgery|pages=191–215|editor-last=Thomas|editor-first=Daniel J.|publisher=Woodhead Publishing|language=en|isbn=978-0-08-101103-4|access-date=2020-12-14|last2=Thomas|first2=D. J.|editor2-last=Jessop|editor2-first=Zita M.|editor3-last=Whitaker|editor3-first=Iain S.}}</ref>

The raw material can be of biological or non-biological origin. It is first converted to a more suitable form for processing. This is done in an upstream processing step which involves chemical hydrolysis, preparation of liquid medium, separation of particulate, air purification and many other preparatory operations.{{citation needed|date=October 2019}}

After the upstream processing step, the resulting feed is transferred to one or more bioreaction stages. The biochemical reactors or bioreactors form the base of the bioreaction step. This step mainly consists of three operations, namely, production of [[biomass]], metabolite biosynthesis and biotransformation.{{citation needed|date=October 2019}}

Finally, the material produced in the bioreactor must be further processed in the downstream section to convert it into a more useful form. The downstream process mainly consists of physical separation operations which include solid liquid separation, [[adsorption]], [[Liquid–liquid extraction|liquid-liquid extraction]], [[distillation]], [[drying]] etc.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=CHEMICAL PROCESS MODELLING AND COMPUTER SIMULATION|last=Jana|first=AMIYA K.|publisher=PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd.|year=2011}}{{page needed|date=October 2019}}</ref>

=== Specifications ===
A typical bioreactor consists of following parts:

'''Agitator''' – Used for the mixing of the contents of the reactor which keeps the cells in the perfect homogenous condition for better transport of nutrients and oxygen to the desired product(s).

'''Baffle''' –  Used to break the vortex formation in the vessel, which is usually highly undesirable as it changes the center of gravity of the system and consumes additional power.

'''Sparger''' – In aerobic cultivation process, the purpose of the sparger is to supply adequate oxygen to the growing cells.

'''Jacket''' – The jacket provides the annular area for circulation of constant temperature of water which keeps the temperature of the bioreactor at a constant value.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://iitd.vlab.co.in/?sub=63&brch=177&sim=647&cnt=1|title=Bioreactor- Basics}}</ref>