An introduction to biotechnological innovations in the chemical industry mera +ornain Mtrna FL heating separaton Figure 1.1 Example of a simple production process with eight unit operations In practice, production processes are usually rather more complex. Raw materials are sually impure and thus some pre-purification steps may be required. Obviously impurities in the raw materials will incresae the probability of impurities and byproducts byproducts occuring in the output stream from the chemical conversion step. Ev using pure raw materials, most chemical conversion are incomplete and often lead to auxiliary the formation of undesirable byproducts. Furthermore often additional (auxiliary) materials are used (for example catalysts, specific solvents), which have to be separat from the desired product, Thus, in typical production processes a large number of separation steps are required To improve the efficiency of the process, raw materials and auxliary chemicals are recycled providing it is economically viable. Similarly ways are sought to find uses for byproducts and intermediates. This usually involves using them as feeds for further reactions. Invariably, production processes produce waste streams. These must be ble state before being disposed of. This is relating to chemical production processes in which the compounds produced may be incompatable or toxic to living systems and can thus cause pollution problems. Increasing regulatory and technical burdens are being place on chemical process operators to ensure that such environmental problems do not arise from their In biotechnological processes, the conversion of raw material to product is usually performed by micro-organisms, or parts of micro-organisms(eg enzymes) known as a fermentation or bioconversion processes respectively. On a large scale, the conversion biotechnological is generally carried out in a so-called bioreactor. The conditions under which the processes are conversion is done are generally very gentle with regards to temperature, pressure and mo. pH, when compared to those in a chemical process. Other advantages of environmenal biotechnological production processes include high reaction specificity and selectivity therefore fewer byproducts, and the need for relatively few reaction additives. Another important difference between a chemical and a biotechnological production process is that the latter type is closely related to naturally occurring processes byproducts may only be carbon dioxide and water. The implementation of biotechnological production methods can, therefore, be seen as an environmentally friendly production strategy. We shall compare chemical and biotechnological catalysis in more detail in the next chapter Within the chemical industry, micro-organisms and enzymes are often used as catalysts It is possible for a unit operation in an essentially chemical production process to be a biochemically catalysed step: giving rise to a mixed chemical/biochemical production process. The products of these reactions include organic chemicals, solvents, polymers, biochemical pharmaceuticals, and purfumes Mixed chemical /biochemical production processes processes are continuously innovated and optimised, mainly for economical reasons.An introduction to biotechnological innovations in the chemical industry Figure 1.1 Example of a simple production process with eight unit operations. In practice, production processes are usually rather more complex. Raw materials are usually impure and thus some pre-purification steps may be required. Obviously impurities in the raw materials will incresae the probability of impurities and byproducts occuring in the output stream from the chemical conversion step. Even using pure raw materials, most chemical conversion are incomplete and often lead to the formation of undesirable byproducts. Furthermore often additional (auxiliary) materials are used (for example catalysts, specific solvents), which have to be separated from the desired product, Thus, in typical production processes a large number of separation steps are required. To improve the efficiency of the process, raw materials and auxiliary chemicals are recycled providing it is economically viable. Similarly ways are sought to find uses for byproducts and intermediates. This usually involves using them as feeds for further reactions. Invariably, production processes produce waste streams. These must be brought to an acceptable state before being disposed of. This is especially a concern relating to chemical production processes in which the compounds produced may be incornpatable or toxic to living systems and can thus cause pollution problems. Increasing regulatory and technical burdens are being place on chemical p'ocess operators to ensure that such environmental problems do not arise from their operations. In biotechnological processes, the conversion of raw material to product is usually performed by micm-organisrns, or parts of micro-organisms (eg enzymes) known as a fermentation or bioconversion processes respectively. On a large scale, the conversion is generally carried out in a so-called bioreactor. The conditions under which the conversion is done are generally very gentle with regards to temperature, pressure and pH, when compared to those in a chemical process. Other advantages of biotechnological production processes include high reaction specificity and selectivity (therefore fewer byproducts), and the need for relatively few reaction additives. Another important difference between a chemical and a biotechnological production process is that the latter type is closely related to naturally occurring processes: byproducts may only be carbon dioxide and water. The implementation of biotechnological production methods can, therefore, be seen as an environmentally friendly production strategy. We shall compare chemical and biotechnological catalysis in more detail in the next chapter. Within the chemical industry, micruorganisms and enzymes are often used as catalysts. It is possible for a unit operation in an essentially chemical production process to be a biochemically catalysed step: giving rise to a mixed chemical/biochemical production process. The products of these reactions include organic chemicals, solvents, polymers, pharmaceuticals, and purfumes. Mixed chemical/biochemical production processes are continuously innovated and optimised, mainly for economical reasons. bypm~cts auXiliar~ mabe~ bD&&mbgM processes are mom enviro""'~~\ m,xed chemical/ biochemical pro^^^