WO1987000199A1

WO1987000199A1 - Process and apparatus for enhancing biological and chemical reactions from high area inorganic base silica on fibers

Info

Publication number: WO1987000199A1
Application number: PCT/US1986/001427
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert A. Clyde
Original assignee: Clyde Robert A
Priority date: 1985-07-10
Filing date: 1986-07-10
Publication date: 1987-01-15
Also published as: CA1293215C; EP0228460A1; AU6190486A

Abstract

A process for enhancing chemical reactions comprising the steps of providing a fibrous base (36), introducing a high area inorganic material on the fibrous base (36), absorbing the high area inorganic material into the fibrous base (36) to form a treated fibrous base (36), introducing a slurry of microbes, enzymes or catalytic metals into the treated fibrous base (36), adhering or entrapping the microbes, enzymes or catalytic metals on the treated fiboous base (36), and contacting a chemical solution with the microbes, enzymes or catalytic metals adhered to the treated fibrous base (36) for producing an enhanced reaction between the chemical solution and the microbes, enzymes or catalytic metals and an apparatus (10) for carrying out the process.

Description

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR ENHANCING

BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL REACTIONS FROM

HIGH AREA INORGANIC BASE SILICA ON FIBERS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The process and apparatus of the present invention relates to coating of fibers for improved adherence of microbes, enzymes or catalytic metals to enhance chemical reactions between a chemical and the microbes, enzymes or catalytic metals.

BACKGROUND ART

It is quite well known in the art of enhancing chemical reactions that bacteria, other microbes or enzymes when bonded to internal surfaces such as fibers would enhance many reactions between a chemical compound and the microbes so adhered. For example, U.S. Patent 4,153,510 entitled "High Surface Low Volume Bio ass Composite" issued to Messing et al teaches the use of an immobilizing microbe composite having a porous high

- 2 - surface area of inorganic support with a population of microbes bonded to the internal surfaces of the pores to enhance a growth of the microbes on the inorganic growth composite.

Likewise, U.S. Patent 4,149,936 also issued to Messing et al "teaches the use of an immobilized microbe composite comprising porous high surface area inorganic support having a controlled population of fungus-like microbes bonded to the internal surfaces of the pores.

The patent issued to the present inventor, U.S. 4,407,954, also teaches that rotating fibers with bacteria or pumping a solution past the fibers results in a faster reaction time. Column 6, lines 40-64 of this patent mentions that alumina increases the surface area for attachment of bacteria. Diatoms are cheaper than alumina.

Despite the prior art teachings concerning the treatment of fibers and materials to enhance chemical reactions, a continuous problem in the art occurs when fermenting sugar cane, fruit juice or wood because fibers, e.g., sugar cane fibers, can plug the system. Even when juice from the sugar is filtered, more solids can be formed when it is heated for sterilization purposes. In U.S. Patents 4,153,510, 4,149,936 and 4,149,937 it is recommended that glass serve as a support base. However, glass is a fragile component and a vibrating means cannot be utilized effectively. Additionally, the pertinent specific gravity of the glass is over 2.0.

High specific gravity is a liability and not an asset. It has been found that by rotating at a greater speed, a faster reaction can be obtained. The fast rotation tends to dislodge the support, however, by centrifugal force. In larger units, the outer tip speed is greater, making the problem even more acute. In the numerous commercial installations of rotary biological contacters, there have been several serious shaft failures. Heavy materials add to this ongoing problem. High void space is highly desirable, not high heavy solid content. Also, fritted glass and a cordierite monolith are relatively expensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The process and apparatus of the present invention would solve the aforecited shortcomings in the art in a simple and straightforward manner.

The process comprises the steps of providing a fibrous base, introducing a high area inorganic material on the fibrous base, absorbing the high area inorganic material into the fibrous base to form a treated fibrous base, introducing a slurry of microbes, enzymes or catalytic metals into the treated fibrous base, adhering or entrapping the microbes, enzymes or catalytic metals on the treated fibrous base, and contacting a chemical solution with the microbes, enzymes or catalytic metals adhered to the treated fibrous base for producing an enhanced reaction between the chemical solution and the microbes, enzymes or catalytic metals. In a more preferred aspect the process comprises providing a reaction chamber, providing a fibrous base within the chamber, introducing and saturating the fibrous base with a silica compound within the chamber, flowing a solution containing microbes through the saturated fibrous base, the microbes adhering to the silica compound particles on the fibrous base, providing means on the fibrous base for adhering the microbes to the fibrous base, flowing a - 4 - solution through the silica compound containing microbes for developing a reaction therein, and moving the fibrous base at a rate to enhance the chemical reaction within the chamber yet below the rate whereby the microbes would no longer adhere to the fibrous base.

The apparatus comprises a reaction chamber, support means contained in the reaction chamber for accommodating a fibrous base material throughout substantially the entire reaction chamber, a reaction base material further comprising fibers, adhering means introduced into the reaction chamber for adhering material to the fibers, having high porocity characteristics, the adhering means being absorbed or entrapped into the fibers, microbes, enzymes or catalytic metals adhered onto and within the pores of the adhering means, and means for moving the support means inside of the reaction chamber so that upon introduction of a fluid into the reaction chamber, the reaction between the fluid and microbes, enzymes or catalytic metals is enhanced, the inside of the reaction chamber being moved at a rate below which the microbes, enzymes or catalytic metals would no longer adhere to the fibrous base during the reaction.

The process and apparatus enhance the chemical reactions, for example, the rate of fermentation, between microbes, enzymes or catalytic metals contained within the apparatus and chemical solutions routed therethrough utilizing a flexible, lightweight fiber support means, an inorganic support (diatoms) and organic fibers (cotton fibers) . Other types of natural or synthetic fibers may be used such as nitrocellulose, nylon or graphite fibers. The fibers can be coated with natural polymers such as collagen or dextran, for immobilizing animal cells or viruses. In the Pharmacia Co. Catalog 86, pg. 132, 73 types of cells and 19 viruses are listed which can be coated on collagen. Cells which may be cultured include kidney cells, embryo fibroblasts, acrophages, pancreas, hepatocytes, pituitary ceils, amniotic fluid cells, muscle, skeletal and heart, endotheli-al cells, thyroid, embryonic lungT^* foreskin cells, embryonic kidney, embryo fibroblasts, lung fibroblasts, glial cells, secondary kidney, skin fibroblast, human bone marrow, human onoσytic leukemia, human foreskin (Down's), human nasal carcinoma, human conjunctive "D", human liver, human fibrosarcoma, human embryo kidney, human atrial appendage, human larynx carcinoma, human melanoma, human glioraa, human osteosarcoma, human oral carcinoma, human colon carcinoma, human kidney carcinoma, human skin epithelium, human synovial fluid, human fibroblasts, human thyroid carcinoma, mouse adrenal cortex tumour, mouse neuroblastoma, mouse fibroblasts, mouse L-cells, mouse maσrophage, mouse melanomas, mouse fibrosarcomas, mouse fibroblasts, rat kidney, rat kidney transformed, rat subcutaneous tumour, rat fibroblasts, rat hepato a,¹ rat glial tumor, rat colon carcinoma, rabbit cornea, rabbit kidney, Chinese hamster ovary, Chinese hamster lung, Syrian hamster kidney, dog epithelial, dog kidney, porcine kidney, bovine kidney, potoroo kidney, mink lung, chimpanzee liver, chimpanzee embryo lung, African green monkey kidney, rhesus monkey kidney, human/mouse hybrids, human/hamster hybrids, mouse/hamster hybrids, hybridoma clones, insect cell lines and fish cell lines.

Viruses which may be grown in the cells include polio, rabies, rubella, influenza, sindbis, sendai, rous sarcoma, herpes, adeno, SV40, polyoma, pseudorabies, vaccinia, foot and mouth, vesicular stomatitis. Group B arboviruses, equine rhinopneumonitis, bovine rhinotracheitis and endogenous C-type viruses. - 6 -

The apparatus may comprise a container tank, a central rotatable shaft mounted therein, a plurality of spoke members radiating outward from the central shaft and a fibrous material contained between the series of spokes. Further, in the process provided, the fibrous material is preferably coated with a diatomaceous earth composite which has a density less than water, such as a Dicalite or Celite particles. The particles are useful for the attachment of organisms and catalytic metal such as nickel, for hydrogenation. In the case of an enzyme coating, the fibers may be coated with finely divided clay for surface adherence of the enzymes thereto. Further, the tank would be flushed with a fluid for example, so that fermentation would be achieved in a relatively short amount of time, and the microbes adhering to the Dicalite or enzymes to clay would be more readily adhered and not washed away by the passage of the solution therethrough.

Prior to a discussion of the overall process and apparatus of the present invention, attention should be drawn to the process itself, which can be accomplished by the apparatus as illustrated in the FIGURES. In the overall process of the present invention, an organic or inorganic fibrous material is provided within a chamber. The fibrous material should have the ability to absorb or entrap particulate materials such as diatomaceous earth, which is an amorphous mineral consisting mostly of silica having a specific gravity lower than water which is due to the granular configuration of the diatomaceous earth. The particles have the ability to entrap microbes or the like within the interior structure of the particle. Thus, when solution is routed therethrough, the washing away of enzymes or microbes which are essential to the - 7 - chemical reaction taking place within the chamber is inhibited thereby achieving a greater and more efficient degree of chemical reaction. Because of the porous chambers of the diatoms, the microbes are able to become entrapped and even upon rigorous revolving of the reaction chambers, the microbes adhere to the diatoms on the fibers and reaction rate is enhanced.

In the event the reaction chamber would be utilized for the reaction between a solution passed therethrough and, for example, enzymes, the diatomaceous earth might be unsuitable for the adherence of enzymes thereto in view of the fact that the enzymes would not adhere to the large pores of the diatomaceous earth. Therefore, an embodiment of the process would include treating the organic fibrous material such as cotton or polyester with a solution containing finely divided clay, which for the most part is totally non-porous, but due to having an uneven surface, would achieve adherence of the enzymes onto the surface of the clay, and therefore would in addition to maintaining the enzymes adhering within the fiber would also again lend itself to a more efficient and thorough chemical reaction chamber. Therefore, in the overall process, following the treatment of the fibrous material with the diatomaceous earth, in the case for adhering microbes therethrough, or treating a material with finely divided clay in the embodiment for reacting enzymes, the treated fibrous material would then be subjected to a solution such as a fermenter solution whereby the solution is reacted over a vast surface area of diatomaceous earth containing organisms, thus accomplishing a speedier and more efficient reaction. Likewise, in the use of enzymes, the same step in the process would be accomplished. In order to enhance the overall process, the fibrous materials would be positioned between plates or the like and rotated so that a greater contact with the surface area of the material and the reactant solution would be undertaken in the process.

Thereforerpit is an object of the present invention to provide a process for coating fibrous material for enhancing chemical reactions between organisms such as bacteria and solutions coming into contact with the organisms.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a process for coating fibrous materials with a coating for enhancing fermentation between organisms such as yeast and a fermenter solution coming in contact with the organisms.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a proces and apparatus of reacting organisms adhered to a fibrous base that has been treated to prevent washing away of the microbes when a solution is run through the fibers to enhance a chemical reaction.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a process to enhance chemical reactions by providing a combination of an organic and inorganic support base for adherence of microbes to the support base either by surface adherence or by adherence in the pores of a component of the support base.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus wherein fibrous material coated with a diatomaceous earth compound is able to achieve adherence of organisms such as bacteria or the like thereto during the process of running solution through the apparatus to achieve an ongoing sustaining chemical reaction. - 9 -

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a process and apparatus to better adhere the bacteria to fibers and prevent cell wash out by trapping the bacteria in the inner recesses of the coating on the fiber.

It is a xurther object of the present invention to provide a surface upon which the organisms or metals can adhere to more readily which has a slight negative charge process.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for adhering organisms or enzymes within the apparatus at a reduced cost over present state of the art materials.

It is still a further principal object of the invention to provide an apparatus and process for treating enzymes by coating fibers with clay material and achieving surface retention of enzymes thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which the parts are given like reference numerals and wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the tank apparatus illustrating the fibrous materials contained therein of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional end view of the spoked member of the apparatus of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a side partial cutaway cross-sectional side view of the tank portion of the present invention illustrating the flow of fluid through a pair of spoked members containing fiber in the apparatus of the present invention; Figure 4 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

Figure 4-A is a detailed view of the spring in Figure 4;

Figure 5 is a top and partial side view of the apparatus of the present invention;

Figure 5-A is an end view of the reactor of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a top view of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the flow of fluid therethrough;

Figure 8 is a detailed view of a portion of the fluid flow chambers of the apparatus of the present invention;

Figure 9 is a partial cutaway perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

Figures 10 and 10-A are views of a filter for entrapping diatoms on fiber; and

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional side view of Figure 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In achieving a fuller understanding of the process, reference is made now to the FIGURES which disclose the apparatus involved in the process of the present invention. FIGURES 1-3 illustrate the preferred embodiment of the apparatus 10 used in the process of the present invention. Apparatus 10 would generally comprise a cylindrical tank 12 having a continuous outer wall portion 14 and first and second end portions 16 and 18 (not seen) the wall portions 14, 16 and 18 defining an interior reaction chamber 20 therewithin. As seen further in FIGURE 1, tank 12 is provided with a central shaft 22 so that rotation of shaft 22 imparts rotation to the fibers inside tank 12.

Likewise,~~as seen in FIGURES 2 and 3, there is further provided a plurality of means for both adhering fiber therebetween and allowing fluid flow therewithin. This means 24, as seen particularly in side view in FIGURE 2, comprises a plurality of radiating spokes 26 radiating outward from shaft 22 with the furthest end portions 28 of each of spokes 26 supporting a continuous side wall 30 so that means 24 defines a spoked wheel member with external wall portion 30 and spokes 26 serving to allow fluid flow as indicated by arrows 32 therethrough during the coating process. Referencing back to FIGURE 1, the plurality of spoked wheel members 24 are positioned upon shaft 22 in a stacking manner with a certain thickness of fibrous material 36 between each spoked member 24 so that there is provided within reaction chamber 20 a continuous fiber reaction medium between the spoke members 24. This provides ideal means for adhering the coating means such as diatoms or finely divided clay so that bacteria will adhere thereto.

Prior to the discussion of the actual reaction that takes place within chamber 12, it is important to note that fibrous material contained intermediate the plurality of spoked members 24 would be of the type such as a cotton or polyester toweling having an abundance of cotton-like fibers so that a slurry of coating material could be adhered thereon. Preferably, in the embodiment of the process for adhering microbes onto the fibers, the material which would be coated onto the fibers (the process of coating said fibers will be discussed further) would be a diatomaceous earth material such as Dicalite 4200 manufactured by Grefσo Company, or various types of similar material which are marketed under the brand names of Perlite, Dicalite, Celite, or Diatomite and generally comprising the—compounds of sodium, potassium, aluminum silicate or silica. The attractiveness of using such a material is that this material consists of very small, large-surface particles wherein an attachment of organisms or catalytic metals can take place. That is, the internal structure of this type of material is such that the organisms can adhere to the various workings of the surface area and not be washed out during the reaction process.

Following the placing of the layers of fibrous material 36 intermediate the plate members 24 in the reaction chamber, a measured amount of, for example Dicalite 4200 manufactured by Grefco Company, would be slurried into distilled water and the quantity allowed to be vacuumed through the chamber to soak into the fibrous materials in preparation for the reaction. The fibers inside the apparatus are then rotated so that there is a complete soaking of the Dicalite into the fibrous materials. Alternatively, a slurry of the diatoms can be poured into the assembled reactor through the top thereof while it is rotating to entrap the diatoms in the fibers without the use of a vacuum.

At this point, as seen in the FIGURES, there is provided an outlet valve 38 into tank portion 12 and an inlet valve 40 on the second end portion 18 of the tank portion 12. Preferably, at this point in the process, the internal tank would be sterilized with steam or the like in preparation for the introduction of organisms. In another embodiment the diameter of the chamber increases from the end portion 18 toward the end portion 16 so that the fluid is exposed to more surface area as it moves through the reactor.

For photo reaction a light 23 would shine through window 23A and—for aerobic reactions such as penicillin production air would be sparged in through valve 40. Some animal cells are shear sensitive to bursting bubbles so the reactor can be run half full and air passed through the top instead of sparged in the bottom.

Following the preparation of the tank, organisms such as bacteria, are then pumped into the tank by inoculating or incubating and reacting by methods well known to those skilled in the art. As was stated earlier, the microbes will attach themselves to the various portions of intricate surface area of the individual Dicalite particles, and will increase the adhesion of the microbes onto the particles.

Following this procedure, the tank is ready to receive the fluid medium, depending on the type of reaction one is seeking, and a great increase in reaction rate is noted during the flow of the fluid medium through the tank. It should be noted, as seen in FIGURES 2 and 3, that during the operation, Dicalite or Celite slurry would enter tank 12 and be absorbed between spokes 26 into fibrous material 36. The spokes 26 which are hollow would allow a vacuum applied through shaft 22 to draw the fluid through fiber 36 as the fiber 36 is held in position tight against spokes 26 adjacent the shaft. Following the drawing of the slurry, the tank would then be sterilized and proceed to perform fermentation or other service by inoculating, incubating and reacting by methods well known to those skilled in the art. The shaft member 22 is then turned at suitable revolutions per minute. Adhesion can be measured accordingly.

FIGURE 3 illustrates, as in FIGURE 2, the flow of fluid as indicated by arrows 32 through fiber 36 and into central shaft member 22 as the vacuum is placed on the apparatus for-pulling the Dicalite slurry into the apparatus and coating the fiber layer 36 in the process. .

In case the support fibers become clogged with cane fibers during fermentation of sugar cane, air can be blown through in the opposite direction, bending the support fibers and dislodging the cane fibers.

As seen in FIGURE 4, an additional embodiment, there is provided a table 32A positioned next to a tank 41. A fiber sheet (not illustrated) is placed on the top portion of table 32A so as to cover holes 33 as seen in the FIGURE. A vacuum is applied through external pipe member 34 and a slurry of Dicalite or Celite is then pumped onto the fiber and the Dicalite or Celite is sucked into the fiber via the vacuum and out of pipe 34 thus coating the fiber with the Dicalite or Celite layer. The fiber then is pulled over the edge 35 with the individual layer of fibrous material then overlapping a wire member 42-A and 42-B contained in tank 41 and the fiber 40A is then stapled to the wire via staples and allowed to fall into the tank. This process would include a multitude of fiber sheets arranged this way so that there is practically a continuous layer of fibrous material contained in the tank hanging from the individual rod members. Preferbly, following this process, lid 44 would then be closed and sealed and the tank would then be sterilized. A solution containing organisms would then be pumped in to complete the process. A reciprocating motor (not shown) would pull the rod 45 which would then cause the fibers to move so that spring member 46 would then pull it back to position. Rod 45 would be provided with a flexible covering to prevent contamination in the reactor. It has been found that when adjacent fibers move in opposite directions a faster reaction occurs, so the following simple apparatus is able to accomplish this. There are four sliding bars 48-A, 48-B, 48-C, and 48-D. The lower bars 48-A and 48-B are attached to lower wire 42-A. A pulley 49 at the end of said tank 41 transmits motion in one direction to motion in the opposite direction to the top wire 42-B. When spring 46 is extended, it then pulls the top wires back. This back and forth movement would cause the organisms which are attached to the diatomaceous earth or other material to move so that a more complete and efficient reaction of the organisms with the solution would take place. In the event gases are evolved, the gases would then escape through a vent 50-B in the cover. In the event that an organism such as algae or the like would be utilized, lid 44 could be provided with windows or the like to allow light to enter the closed container during the reaction process to further enhance the process. Also, there is provided a means for collecting any materials, such as fibers or the like, which would fall from the fibrous materials. A screw conveyor 50C would be provided to withdraw the droppings from the collector bin. A vibrator would be put in through the top to bend the fiber supports, to dislodge any cane fibers which could clog the openings.

In another embodiment tank 41 is deeper at the fluid exit end so the fluid is exposed to more surface area as it moves through the tank. In the embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 6-8, doubled wall plates 51 having a plurality of pores 52 therethrough would be covered with a fiber sheet 51A again in a similar tank 50. A vacuum would then be applied through outlet line 53 in the tank which would then pull the~Dicalite or Celite material into tank 50 and would coat the fiber 51A in the process. There would then be provided a drain valve 54 which would drain the tank of the Diacalite slurry and cover 55 would then be closed. Following sterilization of tank 50, organisms would be admitted into tank 50 and the organisms would attach themselves to fiber 51A. The tank and fiber with the coated organisms would then be prepared for introduction of the fluid medium to be treated. The fluid medium would be pumped in through valve 54 and out through valve 56 at a speed just below that at which the organisms or Dicalite would no longer adhere to the fiber. Unlike the other embodiments, there would be further provided a vent valve in the corner (not illustrated) which would be utilized to release any off gases formed in the process. Of course, for the removal of fibers, end plate 57 could be opened. Again, if an organism such as algae would be grown, lid 55 could have a transparent portion for admitting light into the reactor.

Of course, other auxiliary equipment could be utilized by those skilled in the art, for example, pH meters and oxygen for aerobic reactions. For animal cells or algae, CO2 gas might be necessary. Likewise, for gaseous reactions such as hydrogenations, catalytic nickel or other metals can be coated on the high area Dicalite or Celite. Vanadium is used to make sulfuric acid and phosphoric acid is used in the petroleum industry. Platinum and palladium are used in automobile catalytic converters, but ceramic monoliths are expensive and pellets have a high pressure drop. By entrapping diatoms in ceramic fibers, they are separated and pressure drop of the fluid passing through is reduced. Metal plating methods are well known.

FIGURES 7-8 simply illustrate the flow of the Diacalite material as it is vacuumed through the apparatus, with the Dicalite material flowing through and around the double wall partitions having the filter material thereon, and achieving a complete absorption of the Dicalite on the fibrous materials in preparation for the introduction of the medium to be treated.

FIGURES 9-12 illustrate again an alternate embodiment of the tank apparatus of the present invention as illustrated by tank 90. Like the previous embodiments, tank 90 would also have an inlet line 92 for the introduction of the Dicalite or Celite material. In some cases diatoms would become entrapped in the fibers by slurrying. There would further be provided a rotatable central shaft member 96 which would be rectangular in shape, with a plurality of plate members 98 with a thickness of fibrous materials 99 therebetween to form a continuous absorption layer contained within tank 90. Again, like in the previous embodiments, following the complete absorption of the Dicalite onto the fibers, the tank could be sterilized and in preparation for introduction of the solution to be treated. Likewise, there could be provided a vent valve 100 for venting of any off gases depending on the type of reactions taking place within the chamber of tank 90.

Diatoms could also be vacuumed into the fibers in filter of FIGURES 10 and 11 and then the fiber would be stapled to a screen and inserted into tank 90. The fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporim can decolorize pulp mill effluent and degrade chlorine compounds.

Lactobaσillus can produce lactic acid from glucose.

EXAMPLE 1 —

Circles of cotton-polyester toweling from Sears Roebuck were cut 1 3/4 inches in diameter and put in a small Buchner funnel. A teaspoon of Dicalite 4200 from Grefco was slurred in about 200 ml of distilled water and a small amount poured on the towel with vacuum from below which entrapped the Dicalite into the fibers. A hole was punched in the middle of the towel circle and was put on a 1/4 inch threaded rod, ^'alternating with a circle of stiff polyester, Ree ay 2033 from DuPont. Three inches of these circles were put on and the rotor was inserted into a tube with an inlet and outlet and the tube was slanted into a water bath held at 33°C. The tube was sterilized, inoculated with a culture with the following composition - lactose hydrate 50 g/1, peptone 5 g/1, yeast extract 3 g/1 and malt extract 3 g/1. The yeast Kluyveromyces fraqilis was grown by methods well known to those skilled in the art. For about thirty hours the fibers were rotated at 36 rpm to grow the yeast and attach to the fibers. During this 30 hours medium was fed in one end and out the other end at the rate of 100 ml per hour. Then the agitator was turned off and the fermenter was flushed with four times its volume of fresh medium, so as to end up with essentially unreacted sugar in the fermenter. The agitator was turned on and in only 5 minutes vigorous evolution of CO2 was observed. EXAMPLE 2

Example 1 was repeated except no Dicalite was put on the fibers. It took longer for CO2 gas to evolve and it was not as vigorous as in Example 1.

EXAMPLE 3

Example 1 was repeated except instead of the yeast K. fraqilis, the bacterium Zymomonas mobilis was used and the sugar was sucrose. Medium was KH2PO4, (NH4)2Sθ4, gSθ4, and yeast extract similar to that in U.S. Patent 4,407,954, Col. 3, line 65. Vigorous evolution of CO2 occurred in 2 minutes.

EXAMPLE 4

Example 3 was repeated except no Dicalite was put on the fiber. Evolution of CO2 took more than 2 minutes and was not as vigorous as in Example 3.

EXAMPLE 5

A one day old nutrient broth culture of Pseudo onas fluorescens obtained from the American Type Culture Collection was diluted with an equal volume of nutrient broth culture. Dicalite 4200 from the Grefco Co. was entrapped in Orion and Dacron fibers and they were sterilized and suspended in the culture and incubated at 30°C for 2 days. By visual inspection, it could be seen that there were many organisms immobilized.

Pseudomonads remove metals from wastewater and decompose chlorine compounds. With more organisms immobilized these reactions should be faster.

The fungus Phanerochaete chrvsosporium degrades chlorine compounds and lignin and decolorizes pulp mill effluent. It grows well on polyester. Lactobacillus also grows on polyester and can be used to make yogurt or lactic acid.

Xanthamonas campestris can be grown on diatoms, also Penicillium chrysocrenum and Streptomyces cattleya (Biotech v. Bioeng, 25, 967-983 and 2399-2411) .

Claims

CLAIMS ;

1. A process for enhancing chemical reactions comprising the steps of: providing-a fibrous base; introducing a high area inorganic material on said fibrous base; absorbing the high area inorganic material into said fibrous base to form a treated fibrous base; introducing a slurry of microbes, enzymes or catalytic metals into said treated fibrous base; adhering or entrapping said microbes, enzymes or catalytic metals on said treated fibrous base; and contacting a chemical fluid with said microbes, enzymes or catalytic metals adhered to said treated fibrous base for producing an enhanced reaction between said chemical fluid and said microbes, enzymes or catalytic metals.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein said fibrous base comprises a cotton or equivalent material with high absorption properties.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein said high area inorganic base comprises diatomaceous earth.

4. The process of claim 1, wherein said high area inorganic base has a physical porous structure to cause said high area inorganic base to physically adhere to said fibrous base.

5. The process of claim 1, wherein said fibrous base is wrapped around a heat exchange pipe.

6. A process for enhancing a chemical reaction within a chamber, comprising the following steps: providing—a reaction chamber; providing a fibrous base within said chamber; introducing and saturating said fibrous base with a silica compound within the chamber; flowing a solution containing microbes through said saturated fibrous base, said microbes adhering to said silica compound particles on said fibrous base; providing means on said fibrous base for adhering said microbes to said fibrous base; flowing a solution through said silica compound containing microbes for developing a reaction therein; and moving said fibrous base at a rate to enhance the chemical reaction within said chamber yet below the rate whereby said microbes would no longer adhere to said fibrous base.

7. The process of claim 6, wherein the fibrous base comprises a cotton or an equivalent high absorbent material.

8. The process of claim 6, wherein a liquified slurry containing diatomaceous earth is introduced into the chamber to adhere said silica onto said fibrous base.

9. An apparatus for enhancing a chemical reaction between microbes, enzymes or catalytic metals and a fluid comprising: a reaction chamber; support means contained in said reaction chamber for accommodating a fibrous base material throughout substantially the entire reaction chamber; a reaction base material further comprising fibers; adhering means introduced into the reaction chamber for adhering material to the fibers, having a high porocity characteristics, said adhering means being absorbed or entrapped into the fibers; microbes, enzymes or catalytic metals adhered onto and within the pores of the said adhering means; and means for moving said support means inside of the reaction chamber so that upon introduction of a fluid into the reaction chamber, the reaction between the fluid and microbes, enzymes or catalytic metals is enhanced, the inside of said reaction chamber being moved at a rate below which the microbes, enzymes or catalytic metals would no longer adhere to the fibrous base during the reaction.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, and further comprising means for allowing light or air to be introduced into the reaction chamber during the reaction time for further enhancing the reaction therein.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said adhering means introduced into the fibrous base material is diatomaceous earth or finely divided clay.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, which comprises a plurality of plates arranged in close proximity to one another for engaging fibrous material therebetween.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, which comprises microbes, diatomaceous earth and cotton fibers.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said means for moving comprises means for moving-sheets of said fibrous material back and forth with adjacent sheets moving in opposite directions.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said means for moving comprises means for rotating said fibrous material.

16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said fibrous base comprises ceramic fibers.

17. The apparatus of claim 9, which includes a catalytic metal selected from the group consisting of uranium, platinum, palladium, and nickel.