Air flow through two argillaceous rock formations is investigated on the basis of laboratory work and its modelling to help in the interpretation of the results. Priority in the experimental program has been given to study the volume change response of these initially water saturated materials along relatively fast and controlled volume rate air injections. These high rates intend to give preference to single-phase air flow mechanisms associated with the opening of stress-dependent pathways. Particular attention has been focused on the changes in the pore network to detect opening of fissures after air injection tests using mercury intrusion porosimetry. Selected experimental results have been simulated using a fully coupled hydro-mechanical finite element code, which incorporates an embedded fracture permeability model to account for the simulation of the gas flow along preferential pathways.@en

This paper describes the design, modelling and experimental characterization of an electrochemical sensor array for on-line monitoring of fermentor conditions in a miniaturized cell assay. The sensor array is capable of monitoring viable yeast concentration, dissolved oxygen concentration, pH and temperature.@en

There is a growing interest in developing minute laboratories on a 'chip' (Lab-on-a-Chip) and micro-(bio)chemical reactors as clearly shown by the research efforts of many industrial companies and research institutes in recent years. The development of a new technological platform for fed batch fermentations in very small volume (10-300 μl) reactors in an array format will be described, which in the end will allow to improve production properties of micro organisms by rapid screening under industrially relevant conditions. One of the objectives (besides developing sensing technology) is to design and test methods to analyze and control mixing. This presentation addresses several mixing methods that can be used in micro-bioreactors. The micro-bioreactor is operated under extreme conditions like high biomass and product concentrations, high oxygen requirement and long residence time (3-4 days). With the help of Computational Fluid Dynamics simulations, the influence of the mixing method on the fermentation efficiency in the microreactor is described. These results will be supported by real-life experimental mixing data.@en