Biochemical reactors Continuous stirred-tank reactor

Vasquez-Bahena J, Montes-Horcasitas MC, Ortega-Lopez J et al. (2004) Multiple steady-states in a continuous stirred tank reactor an experimental case study for hydrolysis of sucrose by invertase. Proc Biochem 39(12) 2179-2182... 

Yu ST, Lin CC, Too JR (2005) PHBV production by Ralstonia eutropha in a continuous stirred tank reactor. Process Biochem 40 2729-2734... 

As noted earlier, different nomenclature has grown up in different branches of science and engineering. For example, in biochemistry and biochemical engineering, a reactant is referred to as a substrate. Continuous stirred-tank reactors frequently are used to study cell growth and to produce commercial quantities of cells. However, it is very likely that the reactor will he called a chemostat, not a CSTR. 

Most liquid phase chemical and biochemical reactions, with or without catalysts or enzymes, can be carried out either batchwise or continuously. For example, if the production scale is not large, then a reaction to produce C from A and B, all of which are soluble in water, can be carried out batchwise in a stirred tank reactor that is, a lank equipped with a mechanical stirrer. The reactants A and B are charged into the reactor at the start of the operation. The product C is subsequently produced from A and B as time goes on, and can be separated from the aqueous solution when its concentration has reached a predetermined value. 

Femandes-Platzgummer A, Diogo MM, da Silva CL. Cabral JMS. Maximizing mouse embryonic stem cell production in a stirred tank reactor by controlling dissolved oxygen concentration and continuous perfusion operation. Biochemical Engineering Journal 2014 82 81-90. 

Biochemical reactors can be operated either batchwise or continuously, as noted in Section 1.5. Figure 7.1 shows, in schematic form, four modes of operation with two types of reactors for chemical and/or biochemical reactions in Uquid phases, with or without suspended solid particles, such as catalyst particles or microbial cells. The modes of operation include stirred batch stirred semi-batch continuous stirred and continuous plug flow reactors (PFRs). In the first three types, the contents of the tanks arc completely stirred and uniform in composition. 

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