Copolymer Polyacrylate Polyalcohol – Hydrolytic Characteristics and Influence on Process Variables as an Immobilization Agent

Abstract

Copolymer Polyacrylate polyalcohol (PP) was investigated in terms of its physical and functional characteristics in addition to as an immobilization agent in suspended cultures. Hydrolytic characteristics of the copolymer were observed via its behavior in water. The copolymer addition in suspended cultures as an immobilization agent was found to have positive impact on the process variables such as pH and DO thereby increasing the process efficiency. The copolymer induction in water resulted in the increase of water pH by around 34%, and that it had no negative effect on the water DO. The hydrolytic behavior as exhibited by the copolymer suggested that the particles were first involved in a series of functions which included expansion, coalescence and colonization in the initial passage of hydrolysis reaction. This was followed by the process of particle dissipation due to the effect of rocking phenomenon, which resulted in the breaking up of induced bonding between the particles followed up by their settlement at the bottom under the influence of reduced particle density.