Modelling of a fixed bed and a fluidized bed immobilized enzyme reactor

Summary

An axial dispersed plug flow model incorporating mass transfer limitations was established to predict the substrate conversion of an immobilized enzymatic reaction in a packed bed and a fluidized bed reactor. The model equations were solved by the method of orthogonal collocation. The enzymic system evaluated was glucose isomerase on porous support, catalysing the isomerization of glucose to fructose. Two types of glucose isomerase immobilized on particles of regular and irregular shape were used. Satisfactory agreement was obtained in the comparison of calculated conversions and experimental data for the packed bed and the fluidized bed loaded with regular spherical particles. In the packed bed and fluidized bed loaded with particles of irregular shape, the two-phase model did not furnish a satisfactory description of the system.