High-solid and Multi-phase Bioprocess Engineering: Theory and Practice

This book provides a comprehensive description of theories and applications of high-solid and multi-phase bioprocess engineering, which is considered as an important way to address the challenges of "high energy consumption, high pollution and high emissions" in bio-industry. It starts from specifying the solid-phase matrix properties that contribute to a series of “solid effects” on bioprocess, including mass transfer restrictions in porous media, water binding effects, rheological changes. Then it proposes the new principles of periodic intensification which combines the normal force and physiologic characteristics of microorganism for the bioprocess optimization and scale-up. Further breakthroughs in key periodic intensification techniques such as periodic peristalsis and gas pressure pulsation are described in detail which provide an industrialization platform and lay the foundation for high-solid and multi-phase bioprocess engineering. This book offers an excellent reference and guide for scientists and engineers engaged in the research on both the theoretical and practical aspects of high-solid and multi-phase bioprocess.

Prof. Hongzhang Chen is working at State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). He is the chief scientist of National Basic Research Program of China, and also the chief scientist of the Innovative Engineering Program ‘Biomass and Solid-state Fermentation’, which is supported by CAS. Prof. Chen’s research interest focuses on high-solid bioprocess engineering, including the exploration of new types of solid-state fermentation techniques, devices and processes, and development of clean fractionation using steam explosion techniques for efficient pretreatment in cellulose conversion to obtain useful biorenewable materials, chemicals and biofuels. The research projects mentioned above are supported by the National Basic Research Program (“973” Program), the National High Technology Research and Development Program ("863" Program), National Natural Science Foundation of China, National Key Technology R&D Program, CAS Innovation Program, and etc. Prof. Chen and his group have published more than 250 peer-reviewed scientific papers in national and international journals and 27 books. He also holds 172 national patents and 1 international patent. Noteworthy, over 10 patents have been industrialized.