Module large scale batch processing

Large Scale Batch Processing of Mini-Modules... 

It is significant that the reaction mixture was worked up by removal of the unreacted ester by hexane extraction and concentration of the aqueous layer to obtain the desired (i )-amino acid. The process has a high throughput and was easy to handle on a large scale. However, because of the nature of a batch process, the enzyme catalyst could not be effectively recovered, adding significantly to the cost of the product. In the further scale up to 100-kg quantity productions, the resolution process was performed using Sepracor s membrane bioreactor module. The enzyme was immobilized by entrapment into the interlayer of the hollow-fiber membrane. Water and the substrate amino ester as a neat oil or hexane solution were circulated on each side of the membrane. The ester was hydrolyzed enantioselectively by the enzyme at the membrane interface, and the chiral acid product... 

A few experiments have been carried out in the laboratory scale with a one litre hydrolysis vessel, connected to a small impeller pump and a Sartorius laboratory module fitted with DDS GR6-P membranes (0.2 m ). However, the flow resistance in this module was too large, and it was soon concluded that a resonably constant flux was unattainable. Despite these difficulties, the qualitative behaviour of the reactor variables could be predicted from the model and verified experimentally. For example, with decreasing flux DH increased, but the rate of the base consumption decreased, while the protein concentration in the permeate remained quite stable as predicted. The hydrolysate was evaluated and found comparable in quality to ISSPH produced in the batch process. These results have encouraged us to continue the work in pilot plant with the DDS-35 module, where we can expect considerably more favourable flow conditions. The first experiments carried out so far indicate that a reasonable flux in the order of 50 1/m /h (approx. 1 1/m /min.) can be attained but that foaming problems necessitate the construction of pressurized air free reactor. Future studies will therefore be needed to produce a complete experimental verification of the derived model. 

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