Features
Chemical and biological fixed bed catalysis
3 reactors for comparative experiments
Product analysis with photometer

Catalysts enable or accelerate chemical reactions. Fixed Bed Catalysis Apparatus 32378 is designed for the decomposition reaction of dissolved saccharose in glucose and fructose.
A peristaltic pump transports the reactant (saccharose solution) into bottom of the reactor from a tank. The catalyst takes the form of a fixed bed in the reactor. The saccharose solution flows through the fixed bed.
In the process, saccharose is decomposed into glucose and fructose. The catalyst accelerates the reaction and so increases the yield of the product (glucose/fructose mixture). The product is collected in a tank.
Three reactors allow various catalyses to be compared. The chemical catalyst used is exchanger resin.
The recommended biological catalyst is the enzyme invertase. A regulated heating water circuit additionally permits analysis of the influence of temperature on the reaction.
To determine the glucose concentration in the product, a photometer specifically adapted to the unit is supplied. The photometer data are transferred to a PC and evaluated by software. The ‘flow injection analysis’ is available as an optional accessory. The ‘flow injection analysis’ enables a larger number of measurements to be performed during the experiment compared to manual analysis, while at the same time reducing the effort involved and improving reproducibility.

Specifications
Investigation of catalytic reactions
3 reactors (PMMA) for comparison of various fixed bed catalysis
Peristaltic   pump   with   adjustable   speed   to transport the reactant into the reactors
Regulated heating circuit with water tank, heater and pump to regulate the reactor temperatures
1  scaled  container  for  reactant  and  product respectively
Photometer for analysis of the product
Optional software for data acquisition via USB under Windows
‘Flow injection analysis’ optionally available as accessory

Technical Specifications
Reactors
Diameter: approx. 10mm
Height: approx. 120mm
Peristaltic pump
Max. flow rate: approx. 28mL/min
Heating circuit pump
Max. flow rate: 10L/min
Max. head: 30m
Power consumption: 120W
Heating circuit
Tank: approx. 7500mL
Heater: approx. 1kW
Tanks for reactant and product
Capacity: approx. 2000mL
Scale division: 50mL
Material: PP
Photometer wavelength: 610nm

Experiments
Fundamentals of chemical catalysis
Fundamentals of enzymatic catalysis
Use of a photometric analyser Ÿ Drawing up a quantity balance Ÿ Determining yield

Requirements
Mains Power 220 – 240V @ 50Hz, 1Ph