Design, Optimization, and Application of Biochemical Reactors

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of Processes aims to explore cutting-edge developments in the design, modeling, optimization, and real-world application of biochemical reactors. Biochemical reactors, often referred to as bioreactors, are fundamental to various fields, from bioprocessing and environmental engineering to pharmaceutical manufacturing and synthetic biology. Their efficient operation is critical for sustainable and economically viable processes involving biological agents like cells, enzymes, or microorganisms.

We seek high-quality research papers, reviews, and short communications that advance the fundamental understanding and practical implementations of bioreactor technology. We encourage submissions covering novel reactor configurations, advanced control strategies, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling, scale-up challenges, and innovative applications across various industries.

Covered Topics

Submissions may include, but are not limited to, the following key areas:

1. Reactor Design and Novel Configurations

• Novel Bioreactor Architectures: Design and performance analysis of non-conventional reactors (e.g., membrane bioreactors, fluidized bed reactors, pulsed-flow reactors, microreactors).
• Single-Use and Disposable Bioreactors: Evaluation, design considerations, and scalability of single-use systems.
• Photobioreactors (PBRs): Innovative designs for microalgae and cyanobacteria cultivation, focusing on light distribution and gas exchange optimization.
• Solid-State Fermentation (SSF) Bioreactors: Reactor design and modeling specific to heterogeneous biological systems.

2. Modeling, Simulation, and Scale-Up

• Kinetic and Stoichiometric Modeling: Development and validation of advanced models for biological kinetics, mass transfer, and heat transfer within reactors.
• Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD): Application of CFD for detailed analysis of mixing, shear stress, gas–liquid mass transfer (kLa), and hydrodynamics in various reactor types.
• Scale-Up and Scale-Down Strategies: Methods for translating lab-scale success to industrial production, including the characterization of representative environmental conditions.
• Digital Twins: Development and application of real-time virtual models for bioreactor operation and prediction.

3. Optimization and Control

• Process Analytical Technology (PAT) and Advanced Sensors: Integration of in-line and at-line sensors for real-time monitoring of critical process parameters (CPPs).
• Advanced Control Strategies: Implementation of Model Predictive Control (MPC), PID tuning, and AI/Machine Learning algorithms for enhanced process robustness and performance.
• Feed and Substrate Optimization: Strategies for fed-batch and continuous operation, including chemostat and perfusion systems.
• Media Sterilization and Contamination Control: Innovations in sterilization methods and monitoring techniques.

4. Applications of Biochemical Reactors

• Biopharmaceuticals: Production of therapeutic proteins, vaccines, and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs).
• Industrial Biotechnology: Production of platform chemicals, biofuels (e.g., bioethanol, biodiesel), and enzymes.
• Environmental Engineering: Bioreactors for wastewater treatment, bioremediation, and resource recovery (e.g., biogas production).
• Cell and Gene Therapy: Specialized reactor systems for the expansion and differentiation of mammalian cells (e.g., T-cells, stem cells).
• Food and Fermentation: Applications of high-value product generation in the food industry.

Prof. Dr. Farhad Ein-Mozaffari
Prof. Dr. Ali Lohi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Processes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.