Currently biomass based conversions are often performed in batch reactors. From an operational and economic point of view the use of a continuous plug flow reactor is preferred. Here we make a back to back comparison of the use of a batch and plug flow reactor for the oxidation of (sodium)-galacturonate to (disodium)-galactarate using a heterogeneous Au-catalyst. We will show that the use of a three phase plug flow reactor results in enhanced O₂ mass transfer which resulted in a 10–40 fold increase in productivity (up to 2.2 ton m⁻³ h⁻¹). However, the product selectivity slightly dropped from >99 mol% in batch (controlled pH) to 94 mol% in packed bed (uncontrolled pH). Both reactors suffer from the low solubility of the reaction product. We will show that this solubility is the most significant challenge for performing this oxidation on industrial scale.

中文翻译：

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从分批到连续：碱性条件下填充床活塞流反应器中Au催化的d-半乳糖醛酸氧化†

当前，基于生物质的转化通常在间歇反应器中进行。从操作和经济的观点来看，优选使用连续活塞流反应器。在这里，我们进行了分批和活塞流反应器使用多相金催化剂将（半乳糖醛酸钠）氧化为（半乳糖苷二钠）的反应的背对背比较。我们将证明，使用三相活塞流反应器可以提高O _2的传质效率，从而使生产率提高10-40倍（最高可达2.2 ton m ^-3 h ^-1）。但是，产物的选择性从批次中的> 99 mol％（pH受控）略降至填充床中的94 mol％（pH受控）。两个反应器都遭受反应产物的低溶解度的困扰。我们将表明，这种溶解度是在工业规模上进行这种氧化反应的最大挑战。