A heuristic approach for the economic optimization of a series of CSTR's performing Michaelis-Menten reactions.
The estimation of the size of each reactor of a series of CSTR's performing a Michaelis-Menten reaction in the liquid phase can be obtained to advantage via an optimization technique leading to the minimum overall capital cost. The cost scaleup is assumed to be described by a power rule on the equipment capacity. Various contributions are lumped into the exponent, thus leading to values above unity. The analytical development leading to the optimal intermediate concentrations of substrate according to the foregoing criterion is presented. A short-cut method based on an empirical expression that approximates the numerical solution is reported. This correlation is found to be exact at the asymptotic behaviors, and to give accurate results within an acceptable error level for the range with physical interest. Therefore, it is particularly useful during the predesign steps of equipment for the biochemical industry.
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Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Catolica Portuguesa, Rua Dr Antonio Bernardino de Almeida, 4200 Porto, Portugal.