<b>Optimal control in fed-batch reactor for the cellobiose hydrolysis</b> - DOI: 10.4025/actascitechnol.v25i1.2236

Abstract

Glucose can be obtained from cellulose through enzymatic hydrolysis by the enzymes of the celullase complex. Cellobiose hydrolysis by cellobiase exhibits substrate and product inhibition, which reduces the reaction's performance. The researches available in the literature on this subject were made in batch reactors; a study concerning the possibility on the use of another type of reactor has not yet been made. The aim of this work is to analyze the use of a fed-batch reactor to this enzymatic reaction. Feed policy was determined using the optimal control theory, where substrate conversion and final product concentration were maximized. Simulated results were compared with experimental data obtained by Calsavara et al. (1999) in a batch reactor and indicated that substrate inhibition overcomes product inhibition. The fed-batch operation was advantageous in some situations.