MODELING OF GLUCOSE ISOMERIZATION IN A FLUIDIZED-BED IMMOBILIZED ENZYME BIOREACTOR

A heterogeneous model describing the glucose isomerization process in an immobilized enzyme, fluidized-bed bioreactor was developed, The mod el without any adjustable parameters was used to predict the isomeriza tion process. An excellent agreement between model predictions and exp erimental data for two isomerases (PG-GI Complex and Sweetase) obtaine d from the literature was found. The key parameters which measured the extent of external and internal mass-transport resistances, as well a s the degree of back-mixing were quantified and discussed The effects of some operating and design parameters on the performance of the flui dized-bed bioreactor were also analyzed. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevie r Science Ltd. All rights reserved.