Advantages of Microreactor Technology over Conventional Methods in Enzymatic Wastewater Treatment – Environmental Application of Enzymes

Abstract

Wastewater treatment is one of the most analysed issue in theory and practice because of its current and vast significance nowadays. Wide range of chemical, physical and biochemical processes are developed for wastewater treatment. Although biochemical processes are the most eco-friendly when compared to chemical and physical, they are still not the leading type of technology in this field. In recent years, microreactors are trending because of their particular characteristics that can be utilized in numerous areas. Continuous flow, higher reaction yields, scale independant and high selectivity are just a few of the beneficial characteristics of microreactors. Due to the micro channels, turbulent flow regime is avoided. Furthermore, high surface-to-area ratios aid in far greater and faster heat and mass transfer than in common reactors. Another asset of microreactors is short diffusion pathways, that together with small reaction pathways add to its favorable attributes. When it comes to enzymes, due to their small size and mild reaction conditions requirements, they are ideal for working in microreactos. Enzymes can be isolated from different sources, but isolation from plant waste material is what makes them even more interesting. Because of the above mentioned microreactor’s pros, several enzyme’s disadvantagious properties are overcome. In this study, a review of the positive characteristic of enzyme microreators in wastwater treatment will be discussed.