Studies on the modeling and simulation of a sequential bienzymatic reaction system immobilized in emulsion liquid membrane

Experiments have been carried out to study the reaction engineering behavio r of the liquid membrane-encapsulated, sequential bienazymatic reaction sys tem, [GRAPHICS] . A dynamic mathematical model, free from adjustable parameters, has been dev eloped taking into account peri-emulsion mass transfer, intra-emulsion diff usidn, membrane-related mass transfer limitations and substrate and product inhibitions. A finite difference-based, user-friendly software has been de veloped to solve the model equations. Experimental data satisfactorily corr elate with the model. While it is understood that study of sequential bienz ymatic reaction system immobilized in emulsion liquid is essential for thei r industrial exploitation, reaction engineering behavior of such a system i n presence of both substrate and product inhibitions has not yet been repor ted in the literature. Therefore, the model predictions of the present inve stigations are expected to pave the way for scale-up and design of industri al bioreactors in this field. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights res erved.