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Updated: Aug 29, 2026

A Synthetic Methodology for Preparing Impregnated and Grafted Amine-Based Silica Composites for Carbon Capture
Published on: September 29, 2023
Biocatalytic scrubbing of gaseous acrylonitrile using Rhodococcus ruber immobilized in synthetic silicone polymer
P C J Roach1, D K Ramsden, J Hughes
1Biotechnology Centre, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD1 3DH, United Kingdom. p.c.j.roach@hud.ac.uk
Abstract:
Microbial detoxification of acrylonitrile vapor was performed using Rhodococcus ruber immobilized into rings of a synthetic silicone polymer (ImmobaSil ) sponge. The immobilization matrix was used as both the cell support material and also as the trickle-bed column packing. The elimination capacity of the biocatalytic scrubber was determined for different influent concentrations of gaseous acrylonitrile. The working life of the nongrowing biocatalyst was also examined under test conditions and was found to be at least 70 days before biocatalyst replacement was required. An elimination capacity of 4.0 kg m(-3) h(-1) was achieved with a 95% removal efficiency, and an elimination capacity of over 7.2 kg m(-3) h(-1) acrylonitrile was achieved with a removal efficiency of 90%. This elimination capacity is 10 times that previously published in the literature.

