Downstream Processing

Coordinator: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Gerhard Schembecker*

A major part of the development effort for biochemical processes is spent for the optimization of the bioconversion step, e.g. for media or strain optimization. Therefore, industrial biochemical downstream processes are often directly implemented on the basis of laboratory recipes. Most often, not even a mass or energy balance is available and a holistic view on the complete process is missing.

The platform “Downstream Processing” wants to support the generation of fundamental process understanding by providing a toolbox of methods and technologies, which allow a thorough and reliable development of separation processes for complex biochemical mixtures. This toolbox includes:

• Measurement of physical properties for components and mixtures and predictive modelling of these properties
• Modelling, simulation and costing of complete manufacturing processes
• Systematic conceptual design methods for downstream processes based on rules of thumb and chemical/biological/physical insights
• Analytic and preparative separation technologies and modelling of these units (crystallization, chromatography, extraction, membranes, drying steps etc.)
• Reliable scale-up methods

* Prof. Dr.-Ing. Gerhard Schembecker, University of Dortmund

In 2005 Prof. Dr.-Ing. Gerhard Schembecker became head of the Chair for Plant and Process Design at the Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering of Dortmund University. Prof. Schembecker has studied Chemical Engineering at Dortmund University, obtained his PhD degree in Expert System Technology and worked as a post-doc at the Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, USA. His research interests focus on the conceptual design and simulation of biochemical processes with special interest in chromatography and crystallization.