US 4,791,061 A · Immobilization of microorganisms by entrapment

Abstract

Microorganisms such as in activated sludge are immobilized by forming a mixture containing the microorganisms, a monomer or prepolymer and alginic acid or water soluble alignate, and dropping the mixture into a water solution of polyvalent metal ion and a polymerization initiator to form particles containing the microorganisms. Preferably, the monomer is an acrylamide monomer, the prepolymer is an ester of an acrylic acid group and polyethylene glycol and the polymerization initiator is a persultate. By this method, the microorganisms are protected from toxic substances such as the polymerization initiator during immobilization.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A method of immobilizing microorganisms comprising the steps:

mixing an activated sludge containing a suspension of organisms, alginic acid or water soluble alginate, and an acrylamide monomer to form a mixed solution;
and
dropping said mixed solution into a water solution of a polyvalent metal ion and persulfate,
wherein simultaneously when said mixed solution is dropped, said alginic acid or water soluble alginate in said mixed solution is combined with said polyvalent metal ion to become insoluble, whereby drops of said mixed solution are formed into particles in said water solution, and wherein in said particles the polymerization of said acrylamide monomer is initiated by said persulfate and said microorganisms are immobilized in said particles by entrapment.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Immobilization of microorganisms by entrapment

Life of this patent

Immobilization of microorganisms by entrapment

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11