This invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for the detoxification of fluid streams, for example,
wastewater contaminated with neurotoxins, particularly
organophosphorous compounds, and comprises contacting the fluid
stream with a
bioactive coating. More particularly, the invention relates to chemical reactors for detoxifying fluid streams and also, bioactive coated support components comprising rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible
support materials coated with a
bioactive coating compriseing dessicated whole cells,
whole cell fragments, enzymes, and combinations thereof that are capable of hydrolizing neurotoxic organophosphorous chemical compounds. Organophosphorus hydrolases that are capable of detoxifying organophosphorus compounds that are: chemical weapons agents, in particular, tabun (“GA”),
sarin (“GB”), soman (“GD”), cyclosarin, VX, and its isometric analog Russian VX (“VR” or “R-VX”); chemical weapons agent analogs, chemical weapons surrogates; and pesticides are most preferred. The process and apparatus embodiments of the present invention are designed to detoxify organophosphorus compounds continuously, semi-continuously and and in
batch operation.