A new experimental layout for non-aqueous enzymatic syntheses

The lipase-catalysed synthesis of geranyl caproate has been carried out in a stirred batch reactor. inuous flow of nitrogen is provided. The gas is pre-equilibrated by bubbling within different vessels upstream from the reactor, in order to insure controlled conditions in terms of water thermodynamic activity. In order to avoid a continuous stripping of the solvent, nitrogen is pre-saturated with the latter as well. Furthermore, nitrogen flow strips out the volatile reaction products, thus beneficially affecting reaction thermodynamics. er to further exploit the advantages of gas injection, a three-phase fluidised reactor configuration has been tested, where the gas-induced turbulence avoids mechanical stirring.