Table 1 A comparison of different types of reactors with biofilm reactors
Reactor Type | Comments |
|---|---|
Membrane reactor | Â |
Advantages | High productivities, high cell concentration can be achieved inside the reactor, clear permeates for further separation |
Disadvantages | Fouling with cells, cost prohibits their use in low cost large volume chemical production |
Immobilized cell reactors | Â |
   Covalent bond formation |  |
Advantages | High cell concentration may be achieved, high productivity |
Disadvantages | Cell growth inside matrix may be restricted, cells leach out of the matrix and hence centrifugation of effluent may be required, chemical may affect the cells |
   Entrapment |  |
Advantages | High cell concentration may be achieved, high productivity |
Disadvantages | Matrix often starts disintegration with time, cells leach out of matrix, centrifugation of reactor effluents is required for further separation |
   Biofilm |  |
Advantages | Comparatively high reactor productivities and high cell concentrations are achieved, reactors run longer and are economic to operate |
Disadvantages | Effluent centrifugation is required |