Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology – Apparatus – Bioreactor
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-05
2001-10-16
Redding, David A. (Department: 1744)
Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology
Apparatus
Bioreactor
C435S289100, C435S299100, C502S007000, C502S060000, C502S063000, C502S065000, C502S066000, C502S068000, C502S073000, C502S074000, C502S439000, C210S616000, C210S617000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06303368
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to a device for processing liquid or gas streams for ion exchange, catalysis, adsorption, chemical or biological reactions, purification or separation. In particular, it relates to a monolithic article containing one or more powder or granular agents.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Packed beds of “active” powders or granules are commonly used to treat liquid or gas streams using gravity or pressurized flow. These loose materials are used in packed beds, which commonly experience large pressure drops, especially in the case where the bed particle size is small. However, small particle sizes are desirable in that they increase process performance by improving material utilization effectiveness and packing density.
In many processes packed bed columns of considerable length are sometimes required. However, with increasing column length, the flow rate decreases. Also, such columns develop channeling of the feed solution, which decreases process efficiency. Packed beds also have issues with material attrition (losing small particles).
A wide variety of active granule or powder materials are used in industrial applications, some of which include: ion exchange materials (zeolites, organic resins, gamma alumina, etc); adsorption materials (carbon, zeolites, clays, etc); purification materials (iodinated resins, Ag-impregnated materials, etc.); chemical and biological reaction materials (enzymes, proteins, carbon, biochemical materials, etc.); and catalyst materials (unsupported or supported platinum group metals and compounds, transition metals and compounds, alkali metals and compounds, alkaline earth compounds, rare earth compounds etc).
Accordingly, a need exists for efficient devices in which the disadvantages of loose powder or granular or loosely bound materials are eliminated and in which the disadvantages of decreased flow large packed beds and decreased efficiency due to channeling are eliminated.
The present invention provides such a device and method.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for use in processing of a liquid and/or gas stream. The device is made up of a monolithic structure having active powder for treating streams. The structure has an inlet end and an outlet end and a multiplicity of cells extending from inlet end to outlet end. The cells are separated from one another by porous walls, a portion of the total number of cells being plugged in a pattern such that a stream enters the device through the unplugged cells at the inlet end and passes through at least two porous walls and the active powder in-between, and thereafter passes out of the device through unplugged cells at the outlet end. The device finds use in a number of applications including ion exchange, adsorption, biological and chemical reactions, and catalytic applications.
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Cutler Willard A.
Tao Tinghong
Corning Incorporated
Gheorghiu Anca C.
Herzfeld L. Rita
Redding David A.
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