Optimal design of a series of CSTRs performing reversible Michaelis-Menten reaction under specified temperature mode

Abstract EN

A mathematical model is developed for optimal design of a given number of ideal CSTRs operated under specified temperature mode to achieve a certain degree of conversion.

The temperature mode of operation for the reactors in scries is increasing, decreasing or isothermal.

For a selected temperature mode, the absolute temperature difference between the first reactor and the last one is 5, 10 or 20 °C.

The CSTRs operate under steady slate conditions and the flow rale throughout the series is constant.

The reaction kinetics follows reversible Michaelis-Menlen mechanism, while the enzyme i.e.

catalyst is soluble and obeys irreversible fust order deactivation.

The optimal design problem is formulated as an unconstrained minimization problem.

The corresponding objective function is set to minimize the total residence time of the reactors in series.

As a case study, the isomcrization of glucose syrup to fructose, which follows reversible Michaelis-Mcnten kinetics, is selected.

It is found that the optimum total residence time in the presence of enzyme deactivation is almost the same as that without deactivation.

And this is, because of a slight drop of glucose isomcrasc activity.