Glucose (C6H12O6) is converted to gluconic acid (C6H12O7) by an enzymatic reaction. In the reaction, glucose, water and O2 are the reactants; gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) are products. In the balanced reaction, each five chemicals have a stoichiometric coefficient of 1.
A mixture containing 6% glucose, 22% water, and the rest unreactive particles is pumped to a bioreactor at a rate of 2800 kg/h continuously. Air is supplied to the bioreactor in a way that 45 kg oxygen are delivered per hour. The desired glucose level in the product leaving the bioreactor is 0.3%. Determine the composition of the off-gas leaving the bioreactor.
[MWglucose= 180; MWgluconic acid= 196; MWO2= 32; Air composes 23.3% O2 and 76.7% N2 by weight]