Monolith reactor containing a plurality of flow passages and method for

Abstract

Biological reactions are carried out with a unitary structure, preferably formed of a ceramic material, having a plurality of flow passages including first and second sets of flow passages arranged so that individual passages of the first set are adjacent individual passages of the second set and are separated by walls formed of the ceramic material. The ceramic material is porous to provide mass transfer of gaseous oxygen and biological reaction products while containing liquid in the second set of passages. Walls of the passages may be covered with a gaseous oxygen permeable membrane. Inside walls of the second set of passages may coated with a compound adapted to immobilize biological reaction materials. In a biological reaction, the first set of passages are contacted with a fluid such as an air stream to provide gaseous oxygen, and a fluid flow such as a nutrient medium is established through the second set of flow passages whereby an oxygen flow producing gradient is produced through the porous ceramic material between the first and second sets of flow passages to supply oxygen for cells immobilized on inside walls of the second set of flow passages.