Fluidized-bed immobilized-enzyme reactor for the hydrolysis of cornstarch to glucose

Journal Article · Sun Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1979 · Biotechnol. Bioeng.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/bit.260210413· OSTI ID:6295128

Allen, B R; Charles, M; Coughlin, R W

We have developed an economical fluidized-bed immobilized-enzyme cornstarch hydrolysis reactor employing an inexpensive glucoamylase-on-alumina (covalently bonded) catalyst having a high initial activity (130 units/g) and excellent long term stability (t/sub 1/2/ = 6450 hr at 50/sup 0/C). The reactor can give higher yields of dextrose from streams containing approx.30% (wt) low dextrose equivalent (DE) cornstarch than can a comparable fixed-bed reactor because its design exploits the fact that fluidization permits the use of very small catalyst particles (down to 50 ..mu..m in our case) which overcomes the yield-limiting diffusion-associated problems encountered in the use of conventional fixed-bed cornstarch hydrolysis reactors. Furthermore, even when small catalyst particles are used, the fluidized-bed reactor does not suffer from plugging and high pressure drop problems typical of fixed-bed reactors. The results of an initial economic analysis based on bench-scale results indicate that the processing cost for a plant using this new technology to produce 100 x 10/sup 6/ lb dextrose/year from low DE cornstarch would be as much as 33% lower than for a comparable plant employing conventional soluble-enzyme technology.

• Research Organization: Lehigh Univ., Bethlenem, PA
• OSTI ID: 6295128
• Journal Information: Biotechnol. Bioeng.; (United States), Vol. 21:4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
CHEMICAL REACTORS
DESIGN
ENZYMATIC HYDROLYSIS
GLYCOSYL HYDROLASES
CATALYST SUPPORTS
STARCH
ALUMINIUM OXIDES
CATALYSIS
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
FLUIDIZED BED
SACCHARIDES
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
CARBOHYDRATES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
ECONOMICS
ENZYMES
HYDROLASES
HYDROLYSIS
LYSIS
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLYSACCHARIDES
REAGENTS
SOLVOLYSIS
SUPPORTS
550700* - Microbiology