Numerical Simulation of Fluid Flow and Enzyme Catalysed Substrate Conversion in a Packed‐bed Enzyme Reactor

Abstract

This numerical study evaluates the momentum and mass transfer in an immobilized enzyme reactor. The simulation gives detailed information of the local substrate and product concentrations with respect to external and internal transport limitations. The flow field characterization of the system makes it possible to understand fluid mechanical properties and its importance on transport processes. With the obtained data it is also possible to detect zones of high, low and latent enzymatic activity and to determine whether the conversion is limited due to mass transfer or reaction resistances.