ENGG*2660

Biological Engineering Systems I

Winter 2016
Lecture 5
January 20, 2016
Last Class: Bioproducts lab tour
Today's class: Mass Balances
Reference reading: -(Chapter 4)Bioprocess
Engineering Principles, P. M. Doran
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 Introduction
In this course, we will look at bioprocess engineering
processes and how these can be modelled using engineering
techniques. Bioprocess engineering lends itself very well for
this type of modelling.

Before we begin, lets look at some of the products and

applications of bioprocessing.

This industry uses a wide array of microbes, yeasts and fungi

to degrade or transform chemicals and compounds into
simpler, more desirable, or less harmful or less toxic
substances.

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 Introduction Contd

All of these bioprocesses use a microorganism to generate a

product, and therefore involve exploiting a microorganisms
ability to convert reactants such as nitrogen, carbon, and
oxygen into a desirable products.

Many of these bioprocesses are extremely complicated when

they are brought to large scale manufacturing processes.

Because of this, usually a flow diagram is used to describe the

system. These diagrams are simply a pictorial representation
of the process flow and the equipment involved.

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 Material Balance Fundamentals
Material balances (mass balances) are based on the fundamental
law of conservation of mass (not volume, not moles).
In particular, chemical engineers are concerned with doing mass
balances around chemical processes. if given moles you cannot proceed, need volume

Doing a mass balance is similar in principle to accounting.

Thus far, we have learned about the process variables that we need
to describe the chemicals entering a process stream. Now, we must
learn how to
-Specify a process stream
-Specify a process unit
-Do a mass balance on a process unit
-Do a mass balance on a sequence of process units.
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 Thermodynamic Preliminaries

Fundamental branch of science dealing with properties of matter.

Thermodynamic principles are important in setting up material balances
System: Any matter identified for investigation

A thermodynamic system is defined as a volume in space or a well defined set of

materials (matter). The imaginary outer edge of the system is called its boundary.

As can be seen from the definition, the boundary can be fixed or moving. A
system in which matter crosses the boundary is called an open system.
Similarly, a system in which no matter enters or leaves (i.e. crosses the
boundary) is called a closed system.

A piston cylinder arrangement, where a gas is compressed by the piston.

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 Process:
A process causes changes in the system and surroundings

Classification of Processes

I) Based on how the process varies with time.

a. Steady-state process is one that does not change

with time. Every time we take a snapshot, all the variables
have the same values as in the first snapshot.

b. Unsteady-state (Transient) process is one that

changes with time. Every time we take a snapshot, many of
the variables have different values than in the first snapshot.

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 Classification of Processes
II) Based on how the process is fed.
a. A Continuous process (which allow the matter to flow in and out of the
system)is a process that has the feed streams and product streams
moving chemicals into and out of the process all the time. At every instant,
the process is fed and product is produced. Examples are an oil refinery
and a power grid. If rates of mass input and out put are equal, then a
continuously operate indefinitely.

b. A Batch process is a process (closed system) where the feed streams are
fed to the process to get it started. The feed material is then processed
through various process steps and the finished products are created during
one or more of the steps. The process is fed and products result only at
specific times. Examples are making a batch of a product, like soup or a
specialty chemical.
if mass goes both in and out then it would be considered a continuous process

c. A Semi-batch process (also called semi-continuous) is a process that has

some characteristics continuous and batch processes. It allows either input
or output of mass, but not both.

d. A Fed batch process: Allows input of the material to the system, not output
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 Types of Balances
1) Differential Balance is a balance taken at a specific instant in time. It is
generally applied to a continuous process. If the process is at steady state,
a differential balance applied at any time gives the same result.

We will apply differential balances to steady-state continuous processes.

Each term in a differential balance represents a process stream and the

mass flow rate of the chemical(s) in that stream.

2) Integral balance is a balance taken at two specific instants in time. It

describes what has happened over the time period between the two points.
An integral balance is generally applied to the beginning and the end of a
batch process. It accounts for what happens to the batch of chemicals.

We will apply integral balances to batch processes.

Each term in an integral balance represents a process stream and the

mass of the chemical(s) in that stream.
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 The Mass Balance Equation
If the process involves chemical reaction(s), we must account for
the formation of product chemicals and the consumption of
feed chemicals. We must remind ourselves that the law of
conservation of mass means total mass.
For this case, we must write a mass balance for each chemical
and account its formation and consumption as follows

Mass in + Mass formed by reaction = Mass out + Mass used

by reaction

Or, written more simply as:

in + formed = out + consumed

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 What balances can one write?
A mass balance can be written using the total mass in each
process stream. This is called a total balance.
A separate mass balance can be written for each chemical
component involved. These are called component balances.

Example: A process unit involves 3 chemical components. How

many mass balances can be written?

Solution: We can write 4 balances. We can write a total

balance and 3 component balances.

Independent balances: Not all balances are independent since

the total balance in the sum of all of the component balances.
Important Note:
The number of independent balances we can write =
the number of components. 10
 Which of the following must be conserved in a
chemical process?

Total mass
Mass of a chemical
Total moles total mole is okay but not individual moles
Moles of a chemical
Mass of a species
Moles of a species
Mass of an element
Moles of an element

Whats next? You need to develop skill at using a systematic

approach to solving mass balance problems. And later, skill at
using a systematic approach to solving mass and energy
balance problems.
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How to Determine the Mass Given Different Quantities

Mass can be hidden in many different forms. You may see

quantities of a substance given in a number of different forms,
which are listed below.
Mole fraction = number of moles of A / total number of moles

Mole percent = mole fraction x 100

Mass fraction = mass of A / total mass

Mass percent = mass fraction x 100

% w/w = weight percent = wt of solute/ wt of solution x 100

Volume fraction of A = Volume of A/ Total volume

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Volume percent = volume fraction x 100
How to Determine the Mass Given Different Quantities
Contd
Concentration of a component in solutions and mixtures
Moles per unit volume, gmol/L

Mass per unit volume, kg/m3

Parts per million, ppm

Molarity, gmol/L

Molality, gmol/1000g solvent

Specific gravity, / (H20 at 4C), measurement of the density of a liquid

using a hydrometer (is done by measuring the distance it sinks in water)

For liquids heavier than water (including sugar solutions)

Degrees Baume (Be) = 145-145/G where G is the specific gravity
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 Where and How in a Process/Problem ?
To answer the questions, you need to
Read, study and understand the problem.
Draw a flow sheet for the process.
Label it with all given information, including symbols for the unknowns
Note any special relationships.

To accomplish this step, you need to learn

The information needed to specify a stream.
How to use symbols to represent the required stream data.
How to determine the mass of each component in a stream (each mass
will be a term in a mass balance)

Required Stream Information

1. Stream name & symbol
2. Component masses/ stream composition(n)
3. Stream temperature and pressure (these are needed only when an
energy balance is being done, phase behavior is included or to specify
chemical properties). 14
How to represent the required information?
Specify each stream and total mass --- Select a stream name & symbol
Use a single Capital letter to represent the total mass (or mfr) of the stream.
Select a stream name to clearly identify the stream, by the location or
purpose of the stream on the flow sheet.
Put the mass/mfr on the flow sheet using an equation
symbol = value (if the mass is known) or
symbol = ? (if the value is unknown)

Example:
The reactor is fed with 25 kg/s of a hot feed stream and a recycle stream.
Label the reactor inputs.
Solution: The reactor has two input streams. We draw and label them as
Hot Reactor Feed, H =25 kg/s

Reactor
Recycle, R=?

NOTE: The total mass balance will be written using the symbols selected
for the stream names.
Next we must learn how to represent the component masses so we can
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write the component balances.
Reference: (Chapter 4)Bioprocess Engineering Principles, P. M. Doran

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 Material balances Important summary
points

Material balances should be carried out in an organized manner

1) Draw a clear process flow diagram showing all relevant information.

---The variables should be masses, mass flow rates, and mass compositions
---If given in volume or molar quantities- then first calculate the mass flow
rates and compositions before labelling the flow sheet.
2) Select a set of units and state it clearly.
3) Select a basis for the calculation and state it clearly.
4) State all assumptions applied to the problem
5) Identify which components of the system, if any, are involved in reaction.

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Reference: (Chapter 4)Bioprocess Engineering Principles, P. M. Doran
 Next Class

Mass Balances Contd

Example problem and solution in the class

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