A batch stirred tank
reactor is the simplest type of reactor. It is composed of a reactor
and a mixer such as a stirrer, a turbine wing or a propeller. The batch
stirred tank reactor is illustrated below:
This reactor is useful for substrate solutions of high viscosity and for immobilized enzymes with relatively low activity. However, a problem that arises is that an immobilized enzyme tends to decompose upon physical stirring. The batch system is generally suitable for the production of rather small amounts of chemicals.
A continuous stirred tank
reactor is shown below:
The continuous stirred tank reactor is more efficient than a batch stirred tank reactor but the equipment is slightly more complicated.