Who Should Attend

This is a course for individuals who must specify, operate, purchase or optimize fluid agitation equipment used for Bioprocessing and Pharmaceutical applications.  Such applications range from simple tanks containing CIP solutions to broth and slurry tanks, compounding tanks and fermenters/bioreactors.  The application technology ranges from simple to complex, and the construction methods range from standard to highly sanitary.  A basic introduction to general agitator design principles is given, but the focus is specifically on applications found in the Bioprocessing and Pharmaceutical Industries.

Having a working knowledge of the terminology and technology used by agitator designers enables the attendee to assume a more active role in the purchase and operation of such equipment, instead of leaving everything in the hands of the vendors.  The result can be a lower price paid by clearly specifying what is needed, while avoiding undersized equipment that can cause lost productivity.  In the case of fermenters, proper information can even be essential to assure the right product is capable of being made, and that energy costs are minimized. Senior management can see how the agitator design can impact overall production and profit.



Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, you will:

• Be able to choose the right impellers for the job
• Understand how power and pumping are calculated
• Understand the basics of gas dispersion
• Understand the basics of heat transfer
• Understand sanitary design options
• Understand the merits of various seal configurations
• Gain a familiarity with bioprocessing sizing guidelines
• Understand what data are needed to design aerobic fermenters
• Be able to design a pilot fermentation protocol that will give such data
• Learn how to scale-up fermenters
• Learn how to minimize power consumption in fermenters.
• Understand the merits of various impeller types
• View a fermenter as a dynamic system

Course Description

This course presents a rather intense introduction to the major principles of agitator process design, as applied to liquid, solid-liquid and gas-liquid systems as commonly found in the Bioprocessing and Pharmaceutical industries. A brief introduction is given to the basics of agitation theory as applicable, but the emphasis is on practical application of theory, rather than as an academic treatise. Specific guidelines are given for major industry applications, and sanitary aspects are covered as well. The second day is devoted entirely to aerobic fermentation design and scale-up, as this is an area that has been most neglected in seminars of this kind. 



View Course Agenda



Past Participants' Comments

“Thank you for putting together this program.  We need more information like this for both pharma and biotech industries.  The information regarding technical equations and typical values you provided is very valuable.” 
Kristen S., Apotex