TOPIC 5

DESIGN OF BIOCATALYTIC
PROCESSES

 The decision as to specific reactor design will be based on a careful

analysis of the kinetic properties of the reaction system.

Reactions using biocatalysts are normally performed in aqueous

solution at temperatures between 10 and 80

pressure.

C and at ambient

Due to the inhibition of some enzymes by heavy metals, the materials

of construction must not release these elements.

Reactors

are operated under conditions that prevent microbial

contamination.

The reactor itself as well as the substrate may be sterilized prior to

reaction by using chemical

ethylenoxide, Velcorin) or steam.

agents

(ethanol,

formaldehyde,

Ultraviolet rays may be used to sterilize the immobilized enzyme on its

support

For a constant product quality and reproducibility of downstream

processing, the reactor should be operated at constant conversion.

To overcome the deactivation per unit of time that shows all

biocatalysts as a result of denaturation processes, either the residence

Performance criteria for

processes
Product yield
Chemical yield to product
Inversely proportional to the amount of reactants required per unit of

product output
Biocatalyst Productivity
amount of biocatalyst better results
smaller amount of biocatalyst with same result better

performance
Biocatalyst lifetime
If time scale of activity is considered, then the productivity number
(PN) need to be determined:

Performance criteria for

processes
Biocatalyst Stability
Operating/ process stability comparing the amount of product

generated with the amount of catalyst spent

Reactor Productivity
Assessment of reactor productivity space time yield, s.t.y

Reactor Productivity
When considering the Michaelis Menten
Equation, three possible ways to achieve a
maximum reaction rate:
1. High substrate concentration
2. High enzyme concentration
3. Increase in the time constant