EVALUATION OF BATCH AND SEMIBATCH REACTOR OPERATION FOR ENZYMATIC-REACTIONS WITH INHIBITORY KINETICS

Two enzymatic reaction sequences in which one of the intermediate prod ucts is the desired one were examined under conditions of batch and se mi-batch reactor operation. Semi-batch operation involves a non-instan taneous filling phase during which reaction also occurs. The kinetics were assumed to involve substrate inhibition. The effect of various op erating parameters -feeding rate, reactant concentration in the feed-s tream, and minimum to maximum volume of reactor contents- on the perfo rmance of semi-batch operation was examined. It was found that operati ng parameters can be optimally selected in order to maximize the yield of the desired product. Semi-batch operation under optimal conditions was found to be superior to batch operation on the basis of desired p roduct yield. Implications of the results for waste minimization in ph armaceutical and specialty chemicals production are discussed.