AbstractA cross‐current flow reactor was operated using sodium alginate gel entrapped yeast cells under growth conditions. Micron‐sized silica, incorporated into the biocatalyst particles (1 mm mean diameter) improved mechanical strength and internal surface adhesion. The process showed decreased productivity and stability at 35°C compared to the normal study done at 30°C. The increased number of cross flows diminish the product inhibition effect. The residence time distribution shows that the cross‐flow bioreactor system can be approximated to either a train of backmixed fermentors in series or a plug flow fermentor with moderate axial dispersion.