Objective-

The overall objective for this application is to improve the performance of non-aqueous reactor systems using immobilized enzyme catalysts. We will use PS-30 lipase as our model enzyme. Microreactors are reactor platforms that use many small channels with widths on the order of tens to hundreds of microns. Because of the very short diffusion path lengths involved, mass transfer limitations are considerably reduced and reaction rates increase dramatically. Reactions catalyzed by immobilized enzymes are often diffusion limited due to interfacial diffusion resistances; hence, a microreactor approach is likely to improve overall rates of reaction. Excellent heat and mass transfer combined with very large surface-area to volume ratios make microreactors ideal for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and other products.