Membrane Reactors with Biological Catalysts

Membrane Reactors with Biological Catalysts 3.1.3.1 Membrane Reactors with Whole Cells... 

Biocatalytic membrane reactors combine selective mass transport with chemical reactions and the selective removal of products from the reaction site increases the conversion of product-inhibited or thermodynamically unfavorable reactions. Membrane reactors using biological catalysts can be used in production, processing and treatment operations. Recent advances towards environmentally friendly technologies make these membrane reactors pai ticulaiiy attractive because they do not require additives, are able to function at moderate temperatures and pressrue, and reduce the formation of by-products. The catalytic action of enzymes is extremely efficient and selective compared with chemical catalysts. Uiese enzymes demonstrate higher reaction rates, milder reaction conditions and greater stereospecificity. 

Reaction engineering helps in characterization and application of chemical and biological catalysts. Both types of catalyst can be retained in membrane reactors, resulting in a significant reduction of the product-specific catalyst consumption. The application of membrane reactors allows the use of non-immobilized biocatalysts with high volumetric productivities. Biocatalysts can also be immobilized in the aqueous phase of an aqueous-organic two-phase system. Here the choice of the enzyme-solvent combination and the process parameters are crucial for a successful application. 

The possibility of having membrane systems also as tools for a better design of chemical transformation is today becoming attractive and realistic. Catalytic membranes and membrane reactors are the subject of significant research efforts at both academic and industrial levels. For biological applications, synthetic membranes provide an ideal support to catalyst immobilization due to their biomimic capacity enzymes are retained in the reaction side, do not pollute the products and can be continuously reused. The catalytic action of enzymes is extremely efficient, selective and highly stereospecific if compared with chemical catalysts moreover, immobilization procedures have been proven to enhance the enzyme stability. In addition, membrane bioreactors are particularly attractive in terms of eco-compatibility, because they do not require additives, are able to operate at moderate temperature and pressure, and reduce the formation of by-products. 

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