Team:UCL/Science/Bioprocessing

From 2014.igem.org

(Difference between revisions)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{:Team:UCL/Template:headerx}}
{{:Team:UCL/Template:headerx}}
<html>
<html>
-
 
-
<!-- ==========================GALLERY SLIDER CODING START========================== -->
 
-
<!---These are the linked scripts for the Gallery Slider--->
 
-
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.10.1/jquery.min.js"></script>
 
-
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://2014.igem.org/Team:UCL/Template:jquery.nivo.slider.js?action=raw&ctype=text/javascript"></script>
 
-
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:UCL/Template:nivo-slider.css?action=raw&ctype=text/css" type="text/css" />
 
-
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:UCL/Template:nivosliderdefault.css?action=raw&ctype=text/css" type="text/css" />
 
-
<!---This is a bit of coding for the Gallery Slider--->
 
-
<script type="text/javascript">
 
-
$(window).load(function() {
 
-
$('#slider').nivoSlider({
 
-
startSlide: 1,
 
-
manualAdvance: false,
 
-
directionNav: true,
 
-
controlNav: true,
 
-
manualAdvance: false
 
-
});
 
-
});
 
-
</script>
 
-
<!-- ==========================GALLERY SLIDER CODING END========================== -->
 
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:UCL/Template:plumb.css?action=raw&ctype=text/css" type="text/css" />
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:UCL/Template:plumb.css?action=raw&ctype=text/css" type="text/css" />
-
<div id="BPimagewrapperHeader">
+
<div class="pageTitle">
 +
<div id="BPimagewrapperHeader">
             <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/6/67/UCLBPHEADER.png" width="100%" height="auto" alt="Bioprocess Engineering" />
             <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/6/67/UCLBPHEADER.png" width="100%" height="auto" alt="Bioprocess Engineering" />
-
</div>
+
</div>
<div class="textArena">
<div class="textArena">
Line 30: Line 11:
<!-- Titles go in a <h1>TITLE GOES HERE</h1> and h1 is this biggest title and h6 is the smallest. all paragraphs go in <p>paragraph goes here</p> tags. Images go in as <img src="url of image here"> and to upload an image go to https://2014.igem.org/Special:Upload. Upload the image then click on the image which takes you to a page with only an image on it. The url of the image is the image you want to use. Use google and ask Lewis and Adam as much as you want-->
<!-- Titles go in a <h1>TITLE GOES HERE</h1> and h1 is this biggest title and h6 is the smallest. all paragraphs go in <p>paragraph goes here</p> tags. Images go in as <img src="url of image here"> and to upload an image go to https://2014.igem.org/Special:Upload. Upload the image then click on the image which takes you to a page with only an image on it. The url of the image is the image you want to use. Use google and ask Lewis and Adam as much as you want-->
-
<h3>Overview</h3>
 
-
<hr/>
 
-
<p>In the textile industry today, the global production of dyestuff amounts to over millions of tonnes per year. Azodyes represent two thirds of this value, a majority of which find their way to wastewater effluent streams. Characterized by the presence of one or more azo group (more on chemistry), this type of organic colorant is also found in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and food industries. While the desirable properties of azodyes i.e. chemical stability, high molar extinction coefficient and fastness make them a dye-class of choice, their widespread use in countries such as India and China make them a dye to die for—literally. This is because, in parallel to being aesthetically intrusive to ecosystems, azodye breakdown products have been found to be mutagenic and carcinogenic.  
+
<h3>Introduction</h3>
 +
<p1>In the textile industry today, the global production of dyestuff amounts to over millions of tonnes per year. Azodyes represent two thirds of this value, a majority of which find their way to wastewater effluent streams. Characterised by the presence of one or more azo group (more on chemistry), this type of organic colorant is also found in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and food industries. While the desirable properties of azodyes i.e. chemical stability, high molar extinction coefficient and fastness make them a dye-class of choice, their widespread use in countries such as India and China make them a dye to die for—literally. This is because, in parallel to being aesthetically intrusive to ecosystems, azodye breakdown products have been found to be mutagenic and carcinogenic.  
With such a high worldwide consumption, the benefits in developing and integrating a sustainable strategy for dealing with such effluent streams is clear. It is worth to note that the ‘azodye problem’ is exacerbated by the high costs, both financial (economic) and environmental, of current physiochemical and biological methods of treatment (more on current treatment).
With such a high worldwide consumption, the benefits in developing and integrating a sustainable strategy for dealing with such effluent streams is clear. It is worth to note that the ‘azodye problem’ is exacerbated by the high costs, both financial (economic) and environmental, of current physiochemical and biological methods of treatment (more on current treatment).
-
This year, we are looking into the processing options, novel and old, that are relevant to tackling the problem of azodye discharges. In order to assess the feasibility and determine key engineering parameters for each option, the most important dyestuff sector will be used as a case study: textiles and dyeing industry.</p>
+
This year, BioPro@UCLiGEM is looking into the processing options, novel and old, that are relevant to tackling the problem of azodye discharges. In order to assess the feasibility and determine key engineering parameters for each option, the most important dyestuff sector will be used as a case study: textiles and dyeing industry.
-
 
+
-
 
+
-
<h3>How is bioprocess engineering relevant?</h3>
+
-
<hr/>
+
-
 
+
-
<p1>Bioprocess engineering is a conglomerate of fields and is extensively employed to optimize a variety of production processes. In order to cope with market forces, industries for example the pharmaceutical, have had to considerably improve their bioprocessing tools and techniques. As a result a range of novel process alternatives have been developed to harness product-specific properties, each bearing benefits, disadvantages and costs. While these can be used to drive financial returns, biological processing is becoming a gateway to eco-friendly alternatives for the treatment of recalcitrant wastewater such as industrial effluents.  
+
 +
<h3>What is bioprocessing engineering?</h3>
 +
<p1>Bioprocess engineering is a conglomerate of fields, applied in the context of biological systems, usually to create a product of commercial interest. Application of bioprocessing opens the gateway to eco-friendly alternatives to wastewater treatment, such as dealing with water bodies contaminated with industrial effluents.
<br>
<br>
-
<figure><img src="http://www.xconomy.com/wordpress/wp-content/images/2011/11/question-mark-stockimage.jpg" class="alignleft" width="10%"><figcaption style="float:left;"></figcaption></figure><h3>Why invest?</h3>
 
-
 
-
<hr/>
 
-
 
-
The design of a successful bioprocess requires careful analysis of the many factors that impact choice of design parameters and process variables. It is crucial to consider the cost of the process at each stage to assess it's large scale feasibility. For the problem at hand, the following interplay will affect an industry's choice to adopt a novel process:
 
-
<br>
 
-
<img width="50%" height="50%" align="center" src= "https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/1/19/Diag1.png">
 
-
<br>
 
-
From a conversation with an economist in the field, the chances of market success for a novel waste treatment method is dependent primarily on the financial potential of the project. It follows that potential environmental regulations could cripple a factory, just as well as general public dissatisfaction would dent a brand a name. We have the basis for a sustainable solution to discharged azodye effluents that would serve as a giant biocatalyst and sponge. Considering that dyeing is extremely water intensive (), a post-treatment step that recovers water for the potential reuse within the process, even within a heat exchanger, is financially appealing and environmentally friendly. Depending on the nature of the breakdown products obtained from the biocatalysis steps, subsequent operations could be added for more specific recovery.
 
-
 
-
<br>
 
-
<h3>What is a bioprocess?</h3>
 
-
<hr/>
 
-
 
A typical bioprocess involves the fermentation of a stock culture (e.g. E. coli) at a small scale which is subsequently scaled up to suitable production capacities. The products from the fermentative stages are then separated using a variety of techniques designed to exploit the orthogonal properties of desired products.  
A typical bioprocess involves the fermentation of a stock culture (e.g. E. coli) at a small scale which is subsequently scaled up to suitable production capacities. The products from the fermentative stages are then separated using a variety of techniques designed to exploit the orthogonal properties of desired products.  
<br>
<br>
Stages of large scale fermentation of E. coli:</p>
Stages of large scale fermentation of E. coli:</p>
<br>
<br>
-
<figure><img width="50%" height="50%" src= "https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/c/ca/UCLBioprocessEngFigure.png"><figcaption style="float:right;"></figcaption></figure>
+
<figure><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/c/ca/UCLBioprocessEngFigure.png" class="aligncenter" width="50%"><figcaption style="float:left;"></figcaption></figure>
-
<a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:UCL/Project/Manufacturing"></a>
+
<a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:UCL/Project/Manufacturing"><p>Check out our Manufacturing page where we outline how we are going to use Bioprocess Engineering to industrialize our remediation process.</p></a>
<br><br><br>
<br><br><br>
<!-- we're going to use simple SVGs between the elements here to point between the boxes but for now I want you to put in the text before I do that -->  
<!-- we're going to use simple SVGs between the elements here to point between the boxes but for now I want you to put in the text before I do that -->  
 +
 +
<h2>The design of a process</h2>
-
<h3>The design of a process</h3>
 
-
<hr/>
 
<!-- =========================STOP========================== -->
<!-- =========================STOP========================== -->
Line 80: Line 42:
<div class="flowProb">
<div class="flowProb">
     <div class="innerFlow centerF" id="mainProb">
     <div class="innerFlow centerF" id="mainProb">
-
         <h5><FONT FACE="courier">with azodyes</FONT></h5>
+
         <h4>with azodyes</h4>
         <div class="headerSmall"><span>Expand</span>
         <div class="headerSmall"><span>Expand</span>
         </div>
         </div>
Line 89: Line 51:
     </div>
     </div>
     <div class="innerFlow leftF" id="leftProb">
     <div class="innerFlow leftF" id="leftProb">
-
         <h4><FONT FACE="courier">Understanding the issues</FONT></h4>
+
         <h3>Understanding the issues</h3>
         <div class="headerSmall"><span></span>
         <div class="headerSmall"><span></span>
         </div>
         </div>
Line 98: Line 60:
     </div>
     </div>
     <div class="innerFlow rightF" id="rightProb">
     <div class="innerFlow rightF" id="rightProb">
-
         <h5><FONT FACE="courier">with current methods</FONT></h5>
+
         <h4>with current methods</h4>
         <div class="headerSmall"><span>Expand</span>
         <div class="headerSmall"><span>Expand</span>
         </div>
         </div>
Line 110: Line 72:
<div class="flowProb">
<div class="flowProb">
     <div class="innerFlow centerF" id="mainOne">
     <div class="innerFlow centerF" id="mainOne">
-
         <h4>Whole-cell biocat</h4>
+
         <h4>&#8544;</h4>
         <div class="headerSmall"><span>Expand</span>
         <div class="headerSmall"><span>Expand</span>
         </div>
         </div>
Line 118: Line 80:
     </div>
     </div>
     <div class="innerFlow leftF" id="leftOne">
     <div class="innerFlow leftF" id="leftOne">
-
         <h4>Our Solution</h4>
+
         <h4>Other Problems</h4>
         <div class="headerSmall"><span>Expand</span>
         <div class="headerSmall"><span>Expand</span>
         </div>
         </div>
         <div class="contentSmall">
         <div class="contentSmall">
-
             <p>Overview of the solution</p>
+
             <p>Random Stuff will go here based on what you want to say. This text is just filler text so all I can do is chuck it in here for mucking around</p>
         </div>
         </div>
     </div>
     </div>
     <div class="innerFlow rightF" id="rightOne">
     <div class="innerFlow rightF" id="rightOne">
-
         <h4>Concentration</h4>
+
         <h4>Other Problems</h4>
         <div class="headerSmall"><span>Expand</span>
         <div class="headerSmall"><span>Expand</span>
         </div>
         </div>
Line 138: Line 100:
<div class="flowProb">
<div class="flowProb">
     <div class="innerFlow centerF" id="mainTwo">
     <div class="innerFlow centerF" id="mainTwo">
-
         <h4>Dyestuff industry</h4>
+
         <h4>Other Problems</h4>
         <div class="headerSmall"><span>Expand</span>
         <div class="headerSmall"><span>Expand</span>
         </div>
         </div>
         <div class="contentSmall">
         <div class="contentSmall">
-
             <p>By considering the production of azodyes within a specific sector, it is possible to approximate a yearly production of azodyes, suited a given purpose. In this scenario, we are looking at the dyeing process of 1kg of cotton using methyl red.</p>
+
             <p>Random Stuff will go here based on what you want to say. This text is just filler text so all I can do is chuck it in here for mucking around</p>
         </div>
         </div>
-
     </div> <!--another box here should label environmental issues. Legislative power should also be one. physical parameters in terms of process volumes and concentrations should be incorporated *maybe in reaction kinetics?-->
+
     </div>
     <div class="innerFlow leftF" id="leftTwo">
     <div class="innerFlow leftF" id="leftTwo">
-
         <h4>Process inputs</h4>
+
         <h4>Other Problems</h4>
         <div class="headerSmall"><span>Expand</span>
         <div class="headerSmall"><span>Expand</span>
         </div>
         </div>
Line 154: Line 116:
     </div>
     </div>
     <div class="innerFlow rightF" id="rightTwo">
     <div class="innerFlow rightF" id="rightTwo">
-
         <h4>Reaction kinetics</h4>
+
         <h4>Other Problems</h4>
         <div class="headerSmall"><span>Expand</span>
         <div class="headerSmall"><span>Expand</span>
         </div>
         </div>
         <div class="contentSmall">
         <div class="contentSmall">
-
             <p>Several assumptions need to be made in order to determine the basic kinetic rates for our system.</p>
+
             <p>Random Stuff will go here based on what you want to say. This text is just filler text so all I can do is chuck it in here for mucking around</p>
         </div>
         </div>
     </div>
     </div>
Line 166: Line 128:
<div class="flowProb">
<div class="flowProb">
     <div class="innerFlow three" id="mainThree">
     <div class="innerFlow three" id="mainThree">
-
         <h4>Immobilization methods</h4>
+
         <h4>Other Problems</h4>
         <div class="headerSmall"><span>Expand</span>
         <div class="headerSmall"><span>Expand</span>
         </div>
         </div>
Line 174: Line 136:
     </div>
     </div>
     <div class="innerFlow three" id="leftThree">
     <div class="innerFlow three" id="leftThree">
-
         <h4>Biofilms</h4>
+
         <h4>Other Problems</h4>
         <div class="headerSmall"><span>Expand</span>
         <div class="headerSmall"><span>Expand</span>
         </div>
         </div>
Line 182: Line 144:
     </div>
     </div>
     <div class="innerFlow three" id="rightThree">
     <div class="innerFlow three" id="rightThree">
-
         <h4>Whole-cells vs. Enzymes</h4>
+
         <h4>Other Problems</h4>
         <div class="headerSmall"><span>Expand</span>
         <div class="headerSmall"><span>Expand</span>
         </div>
         </div>
Line 190: Line 152:
     </div>
     </div>
     <div class="innerFlow three" id="righttThree">
     <div class="innerFlow three" id="righttThree">
-
         <h4>Current methods</h4>
+
         <h4>Other Problems</h4>
         <div class="headerSmall"><span>Expand</span>
         <div class="headerSmall"><span>Expand</span>
         </div>
         </div>
Line 254: Line 216:
</div>
</div>
-
<!-- <div class="flowProb">
+
<div class="flowProb">
     <div class="innerFlow centerF" id="main2End">
     <div class="innerFlow centerF" id="main2End">
         <h4>Other Problems</h4>
         <h4>Other Problems</h4>
Line 279: Line 241:
          
          
     </div>
     </div>
-
</div> -->
+
</div>
</div><!-- For flowSheet -->
</div><!-- For flowSheet -->
 +
Stuff will go here based on what you want to say. This text is just filler text so all I can do is chuck it in here for mucking aroundRandom Stuff will go here based on what you want to say. This text is just filler text so all I can do is chuck it in here for mucking aroundRandom Stuff will go here based on what you want to say. This text is just filler text so all I can do is chuck it in here for mucking aroundRandom Stuff will go here based on what you want to say. This text is just filler text so all I can do is chuck it in here for mucking aroundRandom Stuff will go here based on what you want to say. This text is just filler text so all I can do is chuck it in here for mucking around.
-
</div><!-- TextArenaTwo ends here-->
 
-
<div class=textarenathree>
 
-
<br><br>
 
-
<!-- =========================STOP========================== -->
+
</div><!-- TextArenaTwo ends here-->
-
 
+
-
 
+
-
<h2>Looking into the process</h2>
+
-
<a name="anchor"></a>
+
-
<h4>Major components of treatment process</h4>
+
-
 
+
-
<!---Gallery Slider START--->
+
-
<div class="gallerycontainer">
+
-
<div class="slider-wrapper theme-default"><div class="ribbon"></div>
+
-
<div id="slider" class="nivoSlider">
+
-
    <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/e/e2/Uclbiopro.PNG" alt="" />
+
-
    <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/5/53/B3.PNG" alt=""  />
+
-
    <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/3/38/B5.PNG" alt="" />
+
-
    <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/1/16/Processucl.png" alt="" />
+
-
</div>
+
-
<div id="htmlcaption" class="nivo-html-caption">
+
-
    <strong>This</strong> is an example of a <em>HTML</em> caption with <a href="#">a link</a>.
+
-
</div>
+
-
</div>
+
-
</div>
+
-
<!---Gallery Slider END--->
+
-
 
+
-
<br>
+
-
<p>The overview diagram below presents the proposed layout for the plant, using an E. coli biofilm as the ‘immobilisation method’, one of the process alternatives we are considering. The synthetic E. coli immobilisation mechanism would take the same format i.e. longitudinal plates, however, we will also consider beads of the synthetic immobilising agent in a packed bed format.</p>
+
-
<h5>Key Features of Our System</h5>
+
-
<img class="aligncenter" src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/5/54/Manufacture3UCL.jpg" height="50%" width="50%">
+
-
<br>
+
-
<img class="aligncenter" src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/8/85/Screen_Shot_2014-09-29_at_12.47.46_PM.png" height="50%" width="50%">
+
-
    <ul>
+
-
        <li>-Fermentation stage is where optimized growth will take place by controlling mixing and oxygen supply. At the end of this stage, viable E. coli cells expressing the enzymes of interest will be present in a broth.</li>
+
-
        <li>-Module- see cross section of a single system. Continuous flow system with flow rates and residence times based on mass transfer kinetics, specific to E. Coli.</li>
+
-
        <li>-Module 1 designed to capture the bulk of the azodyes, module 2 is a polishing step.</li>
+
-
        <li>-Both anaerobic and aerobic reactions take place at the same time in both the modules, design based on gas supply (nitrogen vs. oxygen).</li>
+
-
        <li>-Cleaning operation using biodegradable chemical at high flow rate (from holding tank 2).</li>
+
-
        <li>-Continuous recycle system for maximal active and diffusive uptake.</li>
+
-
        <li>-Filter modules- exploring the use of disposable low cost agricultural waste for filtration.</li>
+
-
        <li>-Further processing- based on the commercial value of the breakdown products, investments could be made into higher-tier technology such as chromatography columns to separate the breakdown products individually.</li>
+
-
    </ul>
+
-
 
+
-
<p>This versatile and simple process offers a wide range of future developments into various chemical producing sectors. It would be possible to use this technology in parallel with different industries as a form of platform technology using different synthetic biology anchors, in order to detoxify various effluent polluting chemicals.</p>
+
-
 
+
-
<h3>Pre-process</h3>
+
-
 
+
-
<p><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/7/7a/1pre.png" style="float:right" height="15%" width="20%">
+
-
In order to estimate required biomass, a functional unit will be defined: mass of azodyes required to dye 1kg of textile. Combined with information on dyeing efficiencies (i.e. fixation rates) and mass transfer kinetics, it is possible to estimate the E. coli biomass required to breakdown and detoxify this effluent stream</p>
+
-
 
+
-
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/c/cd/Screen_Shot_2014-09-29_at_12.51.17_PM.png" style="float:center" height="30%" width="30%">
+
-
 
+
-
<div class="two">
+
-
</div> 
+
-
 
+
-
<h3>Microbial Fermentation (Stage 1)</h3>
+
-
<br>
+
-
<p>Small-scale bioreactors are often the workhorse during process development. By experimenting at this scale, it is possible to determine the optimum growth conditions for E. coli. This will allow to assess costs at the required scale based on biomass requirements.We are using E. coli to cultivate the enzymes necessary for the biodegradation of azo dyes (azo reductase, laccase). By combining information on the production of azodyes in textile factories and stoichiometric relations, we will design an optimised cell growth (fermentation) stage.</p>
+
-
 
+
-
 
+
-
 
+
-
<br><br> 
+
-
 
+
-
 
+
-
<h3>Module operation (Stage 2)</h3>
+
-
 
+
-
After the fermentation stage, the E. coli biomass is dispersed in a liquor also containing various byproducts. A concentration step could be beneficial to reduce volumes in the next stage. However, capital costs of such unit operations would not be attractive to potential dyeing companies deciding to acquire the entire system. The subsequent modules (MOD) are equipped to handle large volumes and operate in continuous-flow mode with intermittent discharges. By controlling residence time and operating flow rates, it will be possible to achieve a cell recovery deemed efficient. These will be then immobilized onto the surface of the plates within the modules. There exists a wide range of immobilization strategies used for biological wastewater treatment and this is what gives the unit its modular character. By supporting a number of immobilization methods without changing the hardware, MOD allows for the enzymatic breakdown of a wide range of recalcitrant chemicals that might be financially and environmentally costly to treat using conventional methods. (more to come)
+
-
 
+
-
<br>
+
-
<h3>Post-module operation</h3>
+
-
<br>
+
-
<p></p>
+
-
 
+
Line 386: Line 277:
.textArena {
.textArena {
     background-color:white;
     background-color:white;
-
     padding: 2% 5% 5% 5%;
+
     padding: 5% 5% 5% 5%;
     font-size:90%;
     font-size:90%;
}
}
.textArenaTwo {
.textArenaTwo {
     background-color:lightgrey;
     background-color:lightgrey;
-
    padding: 0%;
 
-
    font-size:90%;
 
-
    position: relative;
 
-
}
 
-
.textarenathree {
 
-
    background-color:white;
 
     padding: 0%;
     padding: 0%;
     font-size:90%;
     font-size:90%;
Line 406: Line 291:
.widthCorrect {
.widthCorrect {
width:100%;
width:100%;
-
}
 
-
 
-
.gallerycontainer
 
-
{
 
-
        align:right;
 
-
}
 
-
 
-
.slider-wrapper.theme-default {
 
-
  width: 70%; /* Desired width */
 
}
}
/*=========Object Alignment Classes=============*/
/*=========Object Alignment Classes=============*/
Line 429: Line 305:
margin-right:3%;
margin-right:3%;
}
}
-
 
/*=========Table Classes=============*/
/*=========Table Classes=============*/
.table-bordered {
.table-bordered {
     border: 1px solid black;
     border: 1px solid black;
-
}
 
-
 
-
.table, th, td {
 
-
    border-collapse: collapse;
 
-
}
 
-
th, td {
 
-
    padding: 5px;
 
}
}
/*=========Flow Sheet================*/
/*=========Flow Sheet================*/
.flowProb {
.flowProb {
-
height: 150px;
+
height: 200px;
width:100%;
width:100%;
-
padding-top:2%;
+
padding-top:5%;
-
padding-bottom:2%;
+
padding-bottom:5%;
}
}
Line 457: Line 325:
margin-right:4.1%;
margin-right:4.1%;
text-align:center;
text-align:center;
-
padding-top:1%;
+
padding-top:2%;
-
padding-bottom:1%;
+
padding-bottom:2%;
position: relative;
position: relative;
-
z-index:5;
+
z-index:6;
}
}
.three {
.three {
width:20%;
width:20%;
-
margin-right:1.5%;
+
margin-right:2.5%;
-
margin-left:1.5%;
+
margin-left:2.5%;
}
}
.headerSmall {
.headerSmall {

Revision as of 22:38, 30 September 2014

Goodbye Azodye UCL iGEM 2014

Bioprocess Engineering

Introduction

In the textile industry today, the global production of dyestuff amounts to over millions of tonnes per year. Azodyes represent two thirds of this value, a majority of which find their way to wastewater effluent streams. Characterised by the presence of one or more azo group (more on chemistry), this type of organic colorant is also found in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and food industries. While the desirable properties of azodyes i.e. chemical stability, high molar extinction coefficient and fastness make them a dye-class of choice, their widespread use in countries such as India and China make them a dye to die for—literally. This is because, in parallel to being aesthetically intrusive to ecosystems, azodye breakdown products have been found to be mutagenic and carcinogenic. With such a high worldwide consumption, the benefits in developing and integrating a sustainable strategy for dealing with such effluent streams is clear. It is worth to note that the ‘azodye problem’ is exacerbated by the high costs, both financial (economic) and environmental, of current physiochemical and biological methods of treatment (more on current treatment). This year, BioPro@UCLiGEM is looking into the processing options, novel and old, that are relevant to tackling the problem of azodye discharges. In order to assess the feasibility and determine key engineering parameters for each option, the most important dyestuff sector will be used as a case study: textiles and dyeing industry.

What is bioprocessing engineering?

Bioprocess engineering is a conglomerate of fields, applied in the context of biological systems, usually to create a product of commercial interest. Application of bioprocessing opens the gateway to eco-friendly alternatives to wastewater treatment, such as dealing with water bodies contaminated with industrial effluents.
A typical bioprocess involves the fermentation of a stock culture (e.g. E. coli) at a small scale which is subsequently scaled up to suitable production capacities. The products from the fermentative stages are then separated using a variety of techniques designed to exploit the orthogonal properties of desired products.
Stages of large scale fermentation of E. coli:


Check out our Manufacturing page where we outline how we are going to use Bioprocess Engineering to industrialize our remediation process.


The design of a process

with azodyes

Expand

The contamination of natural habitats surrounding textile factories by coloured (azodye-rich) effluents is a real problem (more). This is because the enzymatic breakdown products of azodyes i.e. aromatic amines, are carcinogenic when ingested. These can not only build up within local ecosystems but can also be a hazard to humans through bio-accumulation in the food chain. With a large section of dyehouse effluents consisting of dyes that have half-lives spanning over decades, the latter remain in the environment for long periods of time.

Understanding the issues

with current methods

Expand

With regards to current technologies in the textile industry, exorbitant volumes of water are used for processing (around 90%), the rest being used for heat exchange purposes. Unfortunately most of the water used for processing is discharged as waste, resulting in highly diluted azodye effluent streams. Secondly, the recalcitrant nature of azodyes hikes the inherent costs of large-scale physical separation systems. As a result, industrial processes used to deal with such soluble hazardous wastes would not be a feasible option to deal with azodye effluents.

Ⅰ

Expand

By using whole cell biocatalysis as the workhorse for detoxification, this process will yield lucrative byproducts such as quinones, that can then be separated from the process stream and sold off.

Other Problems

Expand

Random Stuff will go here based on what you want to say. This text is just filler text so all I can do is chuck it in here for mucking around

Other Problems

Expand

Random Stuff will go here based on what you want to say. This text is just filler text so all I can do is chuck it in here for mucking around

Other Problems

Expand

Random Stuff will go here based on what you want to say. This text is just filler text so all I can do is chuck it in here for mucking around

Other Problems

Expand

Random Stuff will go here based on what you want to say. This text is just filler text so all I can do is chuck it in here for mucking around

Other Problems

Expand

Random Stuff will go here based on what you want to say. This text is just filler text so all I can do is chuck it in here for mucking around

Other Problems

Expand

Random Stuff will go here based on what you want to say. This text is just filler text so all I can do is chuck it in here for mucking around

Other Problems

Expand

Random Stuff will go here based on what you want to say. This text is just filler text so all I can do is chuck it in here for mucking around

Other Problems

Expand

Random Stuff will go here based on what you want to say. This text is just filler text so all I can do is chuck it in here for mucking around

Other Problems

Expand

Random Stuff will go here based on what you want to say. This text is just filler text so all I can do is chuck it in here for mucking around

Other Problems

Expand

Random Stuff will go here based on what you want to say. This text is just filler text so all I can do is chuck it in here for mucking around

Other Problems

Expand

Random Stuff will go here based on what you want to say. This text is just filler text so all I can do is chuck it in here for mucking around

Other Problems

Expand

Random Stuff will go here based on what you want to say. This text is just filler text so all I can do is chuck it in here for mucking around

Other Problems

Expand

Random Stuff will go here based on what you want to say. This text is just filler text so all I can do is chuck it in here for mucking around.Random Stuff will go here based on what you want to say. This text is just filler text so all I can do is chuck it in here for mucking around.Random Stuff will go here based on what you want to say. This text is just filler text so all I can do is chuck it in here for mucking around.

Other Problems

Expand

Random Stuff will go here based on what you want to say. This text is just filler text so all I can do is chuck it in here for mucking around

Other Problems

Expand

Random Stuff will go here based on what you want to say. This text is just filler text so all I can do is chuck it in here for mucking around

Other Problems

Expand

Random Stuff will go here based on what you want to say. This text is just filler text so all I can do is chuck it in here for mucking around

Other Problems

Expand

Random Stuff will go here based on what you want to say. This text is just filler text so all I can do is chuck it in here for mucking around

Other Problems

Expand

Random Stuff will go here based on what you want to say. This text is just filler text so all I can do is chuck it in here for mucking around

Stuff will go here based on what you want to say. This text is just filler text so all I can do is chuck it in here for mucking aroundRandom Stuff will go here based on what you want to say. This text is just filler text so all I can do is chuck it in here for mucking aroundRandom Stuff will go here based on what you want to say. This text is just filler text so all I can do is chuck it in here for mucking aroundRandom Stuff will go here based on what you want to say. This text is just filler text so all I can do is chuck it in here for mucking aroundRandom Stuff will go here based on what you want to say. This text is just filler text so all I can do is chuck it in here for mucking around.

Contact Us

University College London
Gower Street - London
WC1E 6BT
Biochemical Engineering Department
Phone: +44 (0)20 7679 2000
Email: ucligem2014@gmail.com

Follow Us

Retrieved from "http://2014.igem.org/Team:UCL/Science/Bioprocessing"