Bio-reactor for catalysed reactions - comprises biological catalyst inside hollow semi-permeable plates in reaction vessel

摘要

A reactor for catalysed biological reactions consists of a vessel contg. a large number of inserts in the form of hollow plates between which are passages for fluid flow. The catalyst is placed inside these plates in a free form or fixed to a substrate. The plates are impervious to the reactants but pervious to the catalyst. The spaces for the catalyst are formed by a double-walled or pocket-like structure of the plates. At least one wall of each plate is reinforced by guide elements which act as walls of the fluid flow passages. The plates are supported in pairs. The guide elements may be made from corrugated metal sheet, or may be in the form of rods, or flat plates set at right angles to the plane of the pockets. The guide elements are inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the vessel, and the guide elements of neighbouring plates cross each other so that the vessel acts as a static mixer. USE/ADVANTAGE - Used in the design of bio-reactors. Provides a long catalyst life and enables a wide range of catalysts to be used, since the catalyst does not need to be fixed to the surface of a substrate material. The pressure drop across the reactor is reduced and the distribution of the reactants over the cross-section of the reactor is improved.