Process analysis of a reactor-separator system: Enzymic degradation of polymeric substrates

The analysis deals with an integrated system in which enzymic de‐polymerization of a macromolecular substrate and concomitant separation of the reaction products take place. The enzyme is immobilized within a packed‐bed reactor and products are separated by ultrafiltration. A compartmental model was set up and used to simulate the performance of the system in terms of yield, purity, and productivity of the monomer obtained, and as a function of the system operating mode (batch or continuous), recirculation ratio, enzyme mode of action (preferred attack or exo‐type), and initial polymer concentration. Results, calculated using the analytical model, are in good agreement with our experimental findings concerning the depolymerization of inulin by exo‐inulinase. Future applications include engineering design of the system and optimization of its operational parameters.