Method of reacting immiscible liquids with a catalyst-impregnated membrane
US4939090A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 6, 1986 |
| Grant date | Jul 3, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 6, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC12M47/10
- WIPO fieldBiotechnology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Reactions involving immiscible liquids are carried out by forcing one immible liquid through a catalyst-impregnated membrane. In a preferred embodiment, oil is hydrolyzed by passing the oil on one side of a hydrophilic, microporous membrane impregnated with an enzyme catalyst such as lipase, and passing an aqueous liquid on the other side while forcing oil through the membrane by pressure. Oil flowing through the membrane mixes with the aqueous liquid and resultant immiscible phases are separated. Hydrolysis of the oil into glycerol and fatty acids occurs at catalyst sites in the membrane. The membrane is impregnated with the enzyme catalyst by passing an aqueous solution of the enzyme in contact with the membrane so that the enzyme is adsorbed by the membrane, and removing the aqueous solution after the enzyme is adsorbed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.