Method and apparatus for the removal or bioconversion of constituents of organic liquids
A method and apparatus are disclosed for the removal or conversion of constituents from bulk organic liquids. A countercurrent biphasic bioreactor system is utilized to disperse and recoalesce a biocatalyst contained in the aqueous liquid phase into the organic liquid phase containing the constituent. Two transient, high-intensity electrical fields rupture the aqueous drops into a plurality of microdroplets and induce continuous coalescence and redispersion as the microdroplets travel through the organic phase, thus increasing surface area. As the aqueous microdroplets progress through the organic phase, the biocatalyst then reacts with the constituent to produce a product which is then removed from the bioreactor in the aqueous phase or retained in the organic phase. The organic liquid, now free of the original constituents, is ready for immediate use or further processing. 1 fig.
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OR21400
- Assignee:
- Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc., Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 5358614; A
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 8-116772
- OSTI ID:
- 7001476
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 3 Sep 1993
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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BIOREACTORS
DESIGN
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
CLEANING
POLLUTANTS
BIODEGRADATION
REMOVAL
DISPERSIONS
DROPLETS
ELECTRIC FIELDS
OPERATION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
PARTICLES
320305* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Industrial & Agricultural Processes- Industrial Waste Management