Biocatalyst compositions and processes for use

Abstract

The microorganism-containing biocatalysts disclosed have a large population of the microorganisms irreversibly retained in the interior of the biocatalysts. The biocatalysts possess a surprisingly stable population of microorganisms and have an essential absence of debris generation from metabolic activity of the microorganisms. The biocatalysts are composed of highly hydrophilic polymer and have an internal, open, porous structure that promotes community phenotypic changes.

1 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . An aerobic process for biodegrading ammonium to nitrogen in a feed water comprising ammonium and oxygen comprising: contacting under metabolic conditions the water with at least one biocatalyst at least one of said biocatalysts comprising microorganisms capable of oxidizing ammonia and at least one of said biocatalysts comprising microorganisms capable of reducing nitrate and nitrite anions to nitrogen, each biocatalyst comprising:
 a. a solid structure of hydrated hydrophilic polymer defining an interior structure having a plurality of interconnected major cavities having a smallest dimension of between 5 and 100 microns and a Hydration Expansion Volume (HEV), which is calculated in volume percent, of 1000 or more, and   b. a population of microorganisms substantially irreversible retained in the interior structure, said population of microorganisms being in a concentration of about 60 grams or more per liter based upon the volume defined by the exterior of the solid structure when fully hydrated, wherein the microorganisms maintain their population as substantially stable,   for a time sufficient to provide a treated water having a concentration of ammonium less than about 50 percent of that in said feed water.   
     
     
         25 . The process of  claim 24 , wherein the microorganism in a biocatalyst is capable of oxidizing ammonia and reducing nitrate and nitrite anions to nitrogen. 
     
     
         26 . The process of  claim 24 , wherein the nitrate concentration of the treated water is less than about 1 milligram per liter. 
     
     
         27 . The process of  claim 24 , wherein the treated water contains at least about 1 milligram of oxygen per liter. 
     
     
         28 . The process of  claim 27 , wherein the feed water is treated in steps, (a) first reducing a portion of the nitrate and nitrite anions to nitrogen under aerobic conditions with a biocatalyst comprising microorganisms capable of oxidizing ammonium cation, and (b) further reducing the nitrate and nitrite anions, wherein substantially no solids pass from the biocatalyst in the first step to the second step. 
     
     
         29 . The process of  claim 27 , wherein no hydrogen sulfide is produced. 
     
     
         30 . A processes for reducing the concentration of ultra-low contaminants in a water stream comprising:
 a. continuously passing said water stream to a bioreactor, said bioreactor being maintained at metabolic conditions including the presence of biocatalyst comprising microorganisms for bioconverting said ultra-low contaminants;   b. contacting said water stream with said biocatalyst for a time sufficient to reduce the concentration of said ultra-low contaminants; and   c. withdrawing from said bioreactor a treated water stream having a reduced concentration of said ultra-low contaminants,   
       wherein said biocatalyst comprises:
 i. a solid structure of hydrated hydrophilic polymer defining an interior structure having a plurality of interconnected major cavities having a smallest dimension of between 5 and 100 microns and a Hydration Expansion Volume (HEV), which is calculated in volume percent, of 1000 or more, and 
 ii. a population of microorganisms substantially irreversible retained in the interior structure, said population of microorganisms being in a concentration of about 60 grams or more per liter based upon the volume defined by the exterior of the solid structure when fully hydrated, wherein the microorganisms maintain their population as substantially stable. 
 
     
     
         31 . A process for bioconverting a substrate contained in an aqueous medium to bioproduct under bioconversion conditions including the presence of microorganisms for said bioconversion, wherein an antimicrobial agent is provided to the aqueous medium in an amount sufficient to control contaminating microorganisms, wherein bioconversion is conducted using a biocatalyst comprising said microorganisms said biocatalyst comprising:
 i. a solid structure of hydrated hydrophilic polymer defining an interior structure having a plurality of interconnected major cavities having a smallest dimension of between 5 and 100 microns and a Hydration Expansion Volume (HEV), which is calculated in volume percent, of 1000 or more, and   ii. a population of microorganisms substantially irreversible retained in the interior structure, said population of microorganisms being in a concentration of about 60 grams or more per liter based upon the volume defined by the exterior of the solid structure when fully hydrated, wherein the microorganisms maintain their population as substantially stable.   
     
     
         32 . A process for treating wastewater containing dissolved organic carbon and solids to provide an effluent with reduced carbon content comprising: contacting a biocatalyst with said wastewater to catabolize dissolved carbon content and maintaining contact between the wastewater being treated and the solids for a time sufficient to hydrolyze solids, said biocatalyst comprising:
 i. a solid structure of hydrated hydrophilic polymer defining an interior structure having a plurality of interconnected major cavities having a smallest dimension of between 5 and 100 microns and a Hydration Expansion Volume (HEV), which is calculated in volume percent, of 1000 or more, and   ii. a population of microorganisms substantially irreversible retained in the interior structure, said population of microorganisms being in a concentration of about 60 grams or more per liter based upon the volume defined by the exterior of the solid structure when fully hydrated, wherein the microorganisms maintain their population as substantially stable.   
     
     
         33 . The process of  claim 32 , wherein the contact between the solids and the wastewater being treated continues after contact with the biocatalyst. 
     
     
         34 . A process for producing a chemical produced by a microorganism which chemical provides a biological activity comprising: contacting a substrate with a biocatalyst under metabolic conditions for a time sufficient to produce the chemical, wherein the biocatalyst comprises:
 i. a solid structure of hydrated hydrophilic polymer defining an interior structure having a plurality of interconnected major cavities having a smallest dimension of between 5 and 100 microns and a Hydration Expansion Volume (HEV), which is calculated in volume percent, of 1000 or more, and   ii. a population of the microorganisms substantially irreversible retained in the interior structure, said population of microorganisms being in a concentration of about 60 grams or more per liter based upon the volume defined by the exterior of the solid structure when fully hydrated, wherein the microorganisms maintain their population as substantially stable.