Steady state modelling of a hollow fiber enzymatic reactor

In the present note, the authors try to identify a complete set of process variables for the bioreactor. The examined reactor is a hollow fiber enzymatic one with immobilized cells containing the enzyme molecules. The model considers a single fiber reactor. In order to simplify the mathematical formalism, rectangular coordinates are used by assuming that the fiber thickness is so small that it is possible to neglect the surface area variation along the fiber radius. To check the model predictions, some experimental kinetic results will be considered. The experimental data which are discussed in this paper represent the conversion of cellobiose into glucose due to selected cells of Hansenula haenricii supported on the ultrafiltration hollow fiber membranes.