Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, Vol.74, No.6, 519-526, 1999
Kinetic model-aided reactor design for peroxidase-catalyzed removal of phenol in the presence of polyethylene glycol
A batch-mixed reactor and a plug-flow reactor were shown to have identical reaction kinetics for peroxidase-catalyzed removal of phenol. Semi-batch operation and step-addition operation of the plug-flow reactor with respect to hydrogen peroxide produced similar output. In the presence of polyethylene glycol, a continuous stirred tank reactor needed a long time to complete the reaction at the minimum enzyme dose. It was not necessary to stir the reaction mixture continuously during the reaction, hence polymerization and settling of products happened simultaneously. Recycling of the precipitates was not beneficial either for the removal efficiency or for the operation of a settling tank. A model previously developed to simulate the reaction in a batch reactor was used to predict the process in different types of reactor system. A plug-flow reactor system is recommended for the reaction in the presence of polyethylene glycol; the system consisting of a small mixing tank followed by a tank in which reaction and settling occur simultaneously.