Enzyme-Embedded, Microstructural Reactors for Industrial Biocatalysis

Technical Report · Tue Oct 04 04:00:00 EDT 2016

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1331441· OSTI ID:1331441

Baker, Sarah E. ^[1]; Knipe, J. M. ^[1]; Oakdale, J. ^[1]; Stolaroff, J. ^[1]

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1. Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)

In this project we explored enzyme-catalyzed methane conversion to methanol. Industrial biological approaches to methane conversion using whole organisms are predicted to be more energy efficient than chemical approaches, but are limited by mass transfer of the gas phase reactants, methane and oxygen, to the organisms. We demonstrated that 3D printing the enzyme particulate Methane Mono Oxygenase (pMMO) embedded in a polymer can improve the kinetics of methane to methanol conversion. This improvement was likely due to the ability to increase the surface area of the catalytic material using 3D printing. We also demonstrated the first continuous use of pMMO in a flow-through reactor. In order to understand the fundamental kinetic properties of pMMO, we conducted an in-depth study of pMMO kinetics using analytical tools developed in our lab. Finally, we developed a new copolymer system that allowed tuning of the gas permeability of the biocatalytic material.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC52-07NA27344
• OSTI ID: 1331441
• Report Number(s): LLNL-TR--704348
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE