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Introduction to the Control of Bioprocesses

Code: 107536
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Biotechnology OP 4

Contact lecturer

Name :
Maria Dolors Benaiges Massa
Email :
mariadolors.benaiges@uab.cat

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

It is recommended to have some knowledge of:

 Bioprocess Engineering and Bioreactors

Objectives

To know different basics types of process control. Analysis of dynamic behavior of a process with and without control.

Learning outcomes

  • CM32 (Plan a process for obtaining biotechnological products.) Plan a process for obtaining biotechnological products.
  • KM35 (Explain the bases of design, instrumentation and monitoring of biotechnological processes.) Explain the bases of design, instrumentation and monitoring of biotechnological processes.
  • SM32 (Apply safety standards both in the laboratory and in the design of biotechnological plants.) Apply safety standards both in the laboratory and in the design of biotechnological plants.

Contents

Lesson 1: Introduction.


Lesson 2:  Mathematical models development


Lesson 3: Analysis of dynamic behavior of a process.


Lesson 4: Feedback control.


Lesson 5: Other control systems. 


Lesson 6: Physical elements in a control system.

Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Study of the basic concepts and resolution of the typical problems of control 80 3.2 CM32, KM35, SM32
Preparation oral presentation of instrumentation 10 0.4 CM32, KM35, SM32
Process simulation work 6 0.24 CM32, KM35, SM32
Theory and problems lectures 35 1.4 CM32, KM35, SM32
Process simulation seminars 9 0.36 CM32, KM35, SM32
Seminar on case studies 3 0.12 CM32, KM35, SM32
Oral exhibitions of instrumentation 3 0.12 CM32, KM35, SM32

Theory  and problems lectures: As you progress in the syllabus, problems of the subject will be considered and resolved.


Oral presentations of instrumentation: At the beginning of the course,  instrumentation work  will be assigned. The work will be done in groups with an oral presentation towards the end of the course.

Practical case seminar: An intensive seminar to solve problems and / or practical cases will be held.

Process simulation seminar: Three seminars will be held  simulating processes using Simulink of the MATLAB software. Subsequently, a work carried out in a group will be presented, with the discussion of the results obtained.

 

Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Simulation work 15 0 0 CM32, KM35, SM32
Partial test 1 35 2 0.08 CM32, KM35, SM32
Partial test 2 35 2 0.08 CM32, KM35, SM32
Oral presentation of instrumentation 15 0 0 CM32, KM35, SM32

Partial 1: Dynamic Process Behavior.


Partial 2: Dynamic behavior of processes with control. Instrumentation


Oral presentations of instrumentation: It will be evaluated on-site according to some barems that the student will have previously (required assistance).


Simulation work: The work of the discussion of the results obtained in the simulation seminar will be evaluated (required assistance).



Retake exam: If the resultant qualification of the tests carried out is less than 5/10, students can do a second exam of the the partial ones that have not been passed.To participate in the retake exam, the students must have previously been evaluated in a set of activities whose weight equals to a minimum of two thirds of the total grade of the subject. Therefore, students will obtain the \"Not Evaluable\" qualification when the assessment activities carried out have a weighting of less than 67% in the final grade.


A special distinction (MH) can be given from the 9/10 qualification with the limitation of up to 5% of MH of the total number of students enrolled.


Without prejudice to other disciplinary measures that may be considered appropriate, the irregularities (copy, plagiarism, deception, letting copy, etc.) committed by the students that may lead to a variation of the qualification of an evaluation activity will lead to suspend them with a zero. Also this may lead to initiation of a disciplinary process.


The repeating students will have the same system of continuous evaluation.


For each evaluation activity, a place, date and time of review will be indicated. If thestudent does not appear, it will not be reviewed later.


Single evaluation:

Students who follow this kind of evaluation will have the same evaluation activities that others, with the same percentages. Nevertheless, they can do the partial 1 together partial 2 at the scheduled day and hour for the partial 2.

The same retake exam system used in continued evaluation will be applyed

The same grade of “Not Evaluable” used in continued evaluation will be applyed

The same review qualification procedure used in continued evaluation will be applyed


In the assessment activities of this subject, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is not allowed and will be considered a lack of academic honesty, leading to a partial or total penalty in the grade of the activity.



Bibliography

Stephanopoulos G.

“Chemical Process Control: An introduction to theory and practice”

Prentice-hall (New Jersey), 1984

https://www.academia.edu/37141836/Chemical_Process_Control_An_Introduction_to_Theory_and_Practice_-_George_Stephanopoulos

Ollero de Castro P., Fernández E.

“Control e instrumentación de procesos químicos”

Síntesis (Madrid), 1998

Romagnoli J.A., Palazoglu A.

“Introduction to Process Control”

Taylor & Francis Group (Boca Raton), 2006

Seborg D.E., Edgar T., Mellichamp D.A.

“Process Dynamics and Control”

J. Wiley (NY), 2017

Gòdia F., López-Santín J.

“Ingeniería Bioquímica”

Síntesis (Madrid), 2010

Corriou Jean-Pierre

“Process Control Theory and Applications”

Springer (London), 2018

https://bibcercador.uab.cat/permalink/34CSUC_UAB/15r2rl8/cdi_askewsholts_vlebooks_9783319611433

Software

MATLAB

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(TE) Theory 44 Catalan second semester morning-mixed
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 441 Catalan second semester afternoon
(SEM) Seminars 441 Catalan second semester afternoon