Immobilized cells of a genetically improved strain of Brevibacterium lactofermentum are used to convert glucose (C6H12O6) to glutamic acid (C5H9NO4) for production of MSG (monosodium glutamate). The immobilized cells are unable to grow, but metabolize glucose according to the equation:
C6H12O6 + 1.5 O2 + NH3 --> C5H9NO4 + 3 H2O + CO2
An aqueous feed stream containing 3.75 wt% glucose and 0.42 wt% NH3 enters the immobilized cell reactor at 2200. kg/h. Air at 15.0?C and 1.00 atm is sparged into the reactor at a volumetric feed rate of 100.0 m3/hr. If we need to produce glutamic acid at the rate of
61.8 kg/h, determine the total flow rate and CO2 mole% of the gas leaving the cell reactor.
Assume all the water formed in the reaction condenses and remains in the liquid phase. The glucose, glutamic acid, and ammonia are involatile. All the other components do not dissolve in the liquid.