THE USE OF WINDOWS OF OPERATION AS A BIOPROCESS DESIGN TOOL

Bioprocess design problems are frequently multivariate and complex. Ho wever, they may be visualised by a graphical representation of the des ign constraints and correlations governing both the process and system under consideration, namely windows of operation. Windows of operatio n exist at all stages of process design and find use both in the ident ification of key constraints from limited information, and also, with more detailed knowledge, the sensitivity of a process to design or ope rating changes. In this way windows of operation may be used to help u nderstand and optimise a bioprocess design. In this paper the formulat ion, development and application of windows of operation is discussed for a range of biological processes including fermentation, protein re covery and biotransformation.