| Abstract: | An operational scheme for using immobilized enzymes in packed-bed reactors that permits operation at a constant throughput rate and constant product quality is described. The scheme used columns operated in series with continuous enzyme addition to compensate for enzyme decay. A mathematical technique was developed to determine the enzyme addition rate, enzyme usage, and enzyme volume in the column system. Operation of columns in series is compared to operation where the flow rate is decreased to compensate for a loss of enzyme activity for both zero-and first-order decay. The analyses indicated that columns in series resulted in better enzyme utilization but larger reactor volumes than parallel reactors with decreasing flow rate. |
