This chapter describes the main parameters and the different techniques used to characterize an anaerobic bioreactor and how to apply the obtained information to learn how to operate it. In this kind of biological systems, the large number of processes, operating parameters and removed compounds involved makes necessary to combine knowledge from both Microbiology and Chemical Reactor Engineerin...

A cute liver failure (ALF) patients have a high risk of mortality. The elective treatment for ALF still is orthotopic liver transplantation. Donor organ scarcity and the associated high costs make transplantation possible for only about one third of the patients on the transplantation waiting list. Engineering a biological liver substitute is an interesting alternative to the traditional ALF th...