Chemical and Biological Reaction Engineering Fundamentals

Reaction engineering lies at the heart of chemical and biological process development, turning laboratory discoveries into scalable, real-world solutions. Understanding how to model chemical kinetics and design efficient reactors is essential for modern engineers working in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and sustainable energy. This text-based course guides you from foundational principles to advanced industrial applications, ensuring you build a practical, analytical mindset. You will transition from studying basic molecular collisions to designing complex bioreactors and chemical systems. By working through structured, step-by-step calculations and conceptual explanations, you will learn to predict reaction rates, optimize yield, and manage heat effects in diverse systems. What you'll learn: - Understand foundational chemical kinetics, reaction rates, and rate laws - Design and analyze batch, continuous stirred-tank (CSTR), and plug flow reactors (PFR) - Evaluate biological reaction kinetics, including enzyme-catalyzed pathways and microbial growth - Apply mass and energy balances to non-isothermal reactor systems - Model complex reaction networks and multi-step pathway mechanisms - Analyze transport limitations and catalyst effectiveness in heterogeneous systems The course begins with essential terminology, thermodynamic foundations, and basic kinetic models. From there, you will progress through systemic reactor design equations, biological engineering applications, and advanced thermal stability analysis, reinforcing your knowledge through written practical problems. This course is designed for beginners, engineering students, and professionals seeking a solid, first-principles understanding of reaction engineering. No advanced prior background in process design is required, though a basic familiarity with calculus and general chemistry will help you get the most out of the material. Start reading today to master the core principles of chemical and biological reactor design.