Patent US4795704A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4795704A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiphase asymmetric membrane reactor systems
Assignee: Sumitomo Pharma America Inc
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Filing: 1985-10-11
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Granted: 1989-01-03
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Expires: 2005-10-11
Abstract
Abstract A catalyst such as an enzyme is contained in an asymmetric membrane between two immiscible liquid streams. A catalytic reaction is carried out by introducing a reactant to one stream and removing a product from the other stream. When the catalyst becomes deactivated, the membrane can be recharged with catalyst by displacing the deactivated catalyst and introducing fresh catalyst. The membrane has a skin layer that has pores sufficiently small so as to prevent leakage of the catalyst and a highly porous region that contains the catalyst. Insolubility of the catalyst in the immiscible liquid prevents loss of the catalyst for the highly porous region.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen L. Matson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 08:17
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12M; C12M1/00; C12M1/40; B; B01; B01D; B01D69/00; B01D69/14; B01D69/141; C12M25/00; C12M25/10; C12M29/00; C12M29/16; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E50/00; Y02E50/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
246 words
A method for containing a catlayst within an asymmetric membrane between two immiscible liquid streams comprising: (a) Providing an asymmetric membrane having (i) a first surface having a skin having pores that are large enough to allow permeation by reactants or products but small enough to substantially prevent catalyst leakage; and (ii) a second surface having pores that are large enough to allow permeation by reactants, products and catalyst; (b) charging a catalyst into said asymmetric membrane by adding said catalyst to a first liquid stream and contacting the second surface of said asymmetric membrane with said first liquid stream containing said catalyst, said first liquid stream wetting said asymmetric membrane and thereby providing said catalyst and said first liquid stream into said asymmetric membrane; (c) proviidng said first liquid stream without said catalyst to the first surface of said asymmetric membrane; (d) replacing said first liquid stream containing said catalyst used in charging said asymmetric membrane at the second surface with a second liquid stream in which said catalyst is not appreciably soluble, which second liquid stream is substantially immiscible with said first liquid stream present at said first surface of said asymmetric membrane; and (e) providing said second liquid stream under a greater pressure than said first liquid stream so as to maintain a interface between said first and second liquid streams at said second surface thereby containing said catalyst within said asymmetric membrane between said first and second liquid streams which are immiscible.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
246 words
A method for containing a catlayst within an asymmetric membrane between two immiscible liquid streams comprising: (a) Providing an asymmetric membrane having (i) a first surface having a skin having pores that are large enough to allow permeation by reactants or products but small enough to substantially prevent catalyst leakage; and (ii) a second surface having pores that are large enough to allow permeation by reactants, products and catalyst; (b) charging a catalyst into said asymmetric membrane by adding said catalyst to a first liquid stream and contacting the second surface of said asymmetric membrane with said first liquid stream containing said catalyst, said first liquid stream wetting said asymmetric membrane and thereby providing said catalyst and said first liquid stream into said asymmetric membrane; (c) proviidng said first liquid stream without said catalyst to the first surface of said asymmetric membrane; (d) replacing said first liquid stream containing said catalyst used in charging said asymmetric membrane at the second surface with a second liquid stream in which said catalyst is not appreciably soluble, which second liquid stream is substantially immiscible with said first liquid stream present at said first surface of said asymmetric membrane; and (e) providing said second liquid stream under a greater pressure than said first liquid stream so as to maintain a interface between said first and second liquid streams at said second surface thereby containing said catalyst within said asymmetric membrane between said first and second liquid streams which are immiscible.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein, after step (e), introducing a reactant to one of said first and second liquid streams and removing a product from the stream to which the reactant is not introduced.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 2 wherein, when said catalyst becomes deactivated, displacing said catalyst from said asymmetric membrane by applying a positive pressure to said first surface and charging fresh catalyst into said asymmetric membrane by repeating steps (b)-(e).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said reactant is introduced to the first liquid stream and said product is removed in the second liquid stream.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said reactant is introduced to the second liquid stream and said product is removed in the first liquid stream.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-01-03 | 1992-07-04 | 1993-01-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-01-03 | 1996-07-04 | 1997-01-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-01-03 | 2000-07-04 | 2001-01-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |