Environmental Biotechnology en Microbiology

This equivalency course replaces the following course from the old master programme: CIE4705. It is identical to parts of the Principles of physicochemical and biological processes theme of module ENVM1500 in the new programme. Please see the study guide description of ENVM1500 and the information below. Please contact the module manager at the start of the module for registration and additional information.

Principles of biological processes

Link to learning objectives of the module:

A1: LO1, LO2 and LO3.

Central topic of the module sub theme is learning to apply the principles of biochemical processes, reactor technologies and pollutant removal/degradation processes with the aim of using this know-how for designing and evaluating a treatment unit in module B1. It provides an environmental process engineering perspective and addresses the fundamentals on:

• Calculating equilibria of bio-chemical conversion processes in natural or engineered treatment units.

• Assessing biological reaction kinetics in dependence to applied reactor conditions and operational process characteristics using mathematical models.

• Assessing removal efficiency of pollutants by biochemical processes, by exploring, understanding and applying underlying concepts like mass balances, (bio-)chemical thermodynamics, mass transfer phenomena, dissolution, precipitation, degradation kinetics.

• Biological growth models (Monod kinetics), redox processes and reaction stoichiometry.

• Reactor technologies.

• Factors that impact removal, degradation or conversion of pollutants (e.g. chemicals of concern) that pose a risk to human health.