A CONTINUOUS ALCOHOL OXIDASE BIOREACTOR FOR REGENERATIVE LIFE-SUPPORT

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.