Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A continuous biocatalytic process for the conversion of an organic substrate, comprising establishing a series of separate but interconnected sequential contact zones, flowing a liquid composition comprising a biocatalyst successively through each of said zones from a liquid inlet zone to a liquid outlet zone, flowing a gas through each of said zones successively, from a gas inlet zone to a gas outlet zone, in intimate, countercurrent contact with the flowing liquid in each of said zones, flowing an organic substrate successively through each of said zones in intimate, reactive contact with said gas and with the liquid composition containing said biocatalyst, and recovering liquid effluent discharged from the liquid outlet zone and gaseous effluent discharged from the gas outlet zone, said recovered effluents comprising at least some of said organic substrate that has been converted to a different state.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
A continuous biocatalytic process for the conversion of an organic substrate, comprising establishing a series of separate but interconnected sequential contact zones, flowing a liquid composition comprising a biocatalyst successively through each of said zones from a liquid inlet zone to a liquid outlet zone, flowing a gas through each of said zones successively, from a gas inlet zone to a gas outlet zone, in intimate, countercurrent contact with the flowing liquid in each of said zones, flowing an organic substrate successively through each of said zones in intimate, reactive contact with said gas and with the liquid composition containing said biocatalyst, and recovering liquid effluent discharged from the liquid outlet zone and gaseous effluent discharged from the gas outlet zone, said recovered effluents comprising at least some of said organic substrate that has been converted to a different state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the gas comprises a source of oxygen and the organic substrate is converted by the process to a more advanced state of oxidation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A process according to -claim 2 wherein the organic substrate is an oxidizable organic substrate and is in gaseous or vapor form, and is applied to the gas inlet zone for flow through said sequential contact zones with said oxidizing gas.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process according to claim 3 wherein the substrate comprises ethylene that is converted to ethylene oxide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process according to claim 3 wherein the substrate comprises propylene that is converted to propylene oxide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A process according to claim 2 wherein th organic substrate is an oxidizable organic substrate and is in liquid form, and is supplied to said liquid inlet zone for flow through said sequential contact zones with said biocatalyst liquid composition.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the biocatalyst comprises cells.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process according to claim 7 wherein the biocatalyst comprises purified, immobilized enzyme.