Lj. Schussel et Je. Atwater, A CONTINUOUS ALCOHOL OXIDASE BIOREACTOR FOR REGENERATIVE LIFE-SUPPORT, Enzyme and microbial technology, 18(3), 1996, pp. 229-235
The development of a composite fixed-bed continuous-flow immobilized a
lcohol oxidase bioreactor is described for use in the production of dr
inking water from humidity condensates collected aboard manned spacecr
aft. The principal organic contaminants of this wastewater stream are
low molecular weight alcohols and organic acids. Alcohol oxidase catal
yzes the oxidation of short chain primary alcohols to aldehydes at amb
ient temperatures. The resulting aldehydes are subjected to a second o
xidation via the action of a heterogeneous noble metal catalyst to for
m carboxylic acids which are removed by sorption onto ion exchange res
ins. Inactivation of the enzyme by hydrogen peroxide has been signific
antly reduced by coimmobilization of metallic platinum onto the suppor
t. The results of ground-based testing using model contaminant solutio
ns and true humidity condensates are reported.