Multiphase asymmetric membrane reactor systems

• US 4,795,704 A
• Filed: 10/11/1985
• Issued: 01/03/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sepracor Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Sepracor Incorporated
• Inventors: Matson, Stephen L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Naff, David M.
• Application Number:
  US06/786,764
• Time in Patent Office: 1,180 Days
• Field of Search: 435/41, 435/174, 435/177, 435/179, 435/180, 435/182, 435/288
• US Class Current: 435/41
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 69/141 Heterogeneous membranes, e.g. containing dispersed material; Mixed matrix membranes
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 25/10 Hollow fibers or tubes hollow fiber modules in general B01D63/02
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 29/16 Hollow fibers hollow fiber modules in general B01D63/02
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/10 Biofuels, e.g. bio-diesel

Abstract

A catalyst such as an enzyme is contained in an asymmetric membrane between two immiscible liquid streams. A catalytic reaction is carried out by introducing a reactant to one stream and removing a product from the other stream. When the catalyst becomes deactivated, the membrane can be recharged with catalyst by displacing the deactivated catalyst and introducing fresh catalyst. The membrane has a skin layer that has pores sufficiently small so as to prevent leakage of the catalyst and a highly porous region that contains the catalyst. Insolubility of the catalyst in the immiscible liquid prevents loss of the catalyst for the highly porous region.

Claims

1. A method for containing a catlayst within an asymmetric membrane between two immiscible liquid streams comprising:

(a) Providing an asymmetric membrane having

(i) a first surface having a skin having pores that are large enough to allow permeation by reactants or products but small enough to substantially prevent catalyst leakage; and

(ii) a second surface having pores that are large enough to allow permeation by reactants, products and catalyst;

(b) charging a catalyst into said asymmetric membrane by adding said catalyst to a first liquid stream and contacting the second surface of said asymmetric membrane with said first liquid stream containing said catalyst, said first liquid stream wetting said asymmetric membrane and thereby providing said catalyst and said first liquid stream into said asymmetric membrane;

(c) proviidng said first liquid stream without said catalyst to the first surface of said asymmetric membrane;

(d) replacing said first liquid stream containing said catalyst used in charging said asymmetric membrane at the second surface with a second liquid stream in which said catalyst is not appreciably soluble, which second liquid stream is substantially immiscible with said first liquid stream present at said first surface of said asymmetric membrane; and

(e) providing said second liquid stream under a greater pressure than said first liquid stream so as to maintain a interface between said first and second liquid streams at said second surface

thereby containing said catalyst within said asymmetric membrane between said first and second liquid streams which are immiscible.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein, after step (e), introducing a reactant to one of said first and second liquid streams and removing a product from the stream to which the reactant is not introduced.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein, when said catalyst becomes deactivated, displacing said catalyst from said asymmetric membrane by applying a positive pressure to said first surface and charging fresh catalyst into said asymmetric membrane by repeating steps (b)-(e).

4. The method of claim 2 wherein said reactant is introduced to the first liquid stream and said product is removed in the second liquid stream.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein said reactant is introduced to the second liquid stream and said product is removed in the first liquid stream.