EXHAUST GAS DECOMPOSITION APPARATUS AND EXHAUST GAS DECOMPOSITION SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME

Abstract

An exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system that includes a bioreactor fluorine-containing compound is decomposed by contact with the first and second fluids in the bioreactor. The first fluid is supplied through a bioreactor inlet and is exhausted through the bioreactor outlet, and moves in a first direction in the bioreactor. The first or second fluid includes a biological catalyst such as an enzyme or recombinant microbe, while the other fluid includes a fluorine-containing compound. As a result, the fluorine-compounds is efficiently biologically remediated by the biological catalyst.

Claims

1. An exhaust gas decomposition system comprising: one or more bioreactors, each comprising one or more first inlets, one or more first outlets, a supply of a first fluid connected to at least one of the one or more first inlets of each of the one or more bioreactors; a second fluid within the one or more bioreactors; wherein one of the first fluid and the second fluid comprises a biological catalyst that decomposes a fluorine-containing compound, and the other comprises a fluorine-containing compound; wherein, when the first fluid supplied to the one or more first inlets, it flows in a first direction in each of the one or more bioreactors, contacts the second fluid, and is exhausted through the one or more first outlets, and wherein the fluorine-containing compound is decomposed by contact of the first and second fluid in the reactor.

2. The exhaust gas decomposition system of claim 1, wherein the first fluid is liquid containing a biological catalyst, and the second fluid is gas comprising a fluorine-containing compound.

3. The exhaust gas decomposition system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more bioreactors further comprises a first circulation line for re-supplying at least a portion of the first fluid discharged through at least one of the one or more first outlets back to at least one of the one or more first inlets.

4. The exhaust gas decomposition system of claim 1, wherein the system comprises: one or more bioreactors, one or more first inlets, one or more first outlets, one or more second inlets, and one or more second outlets a supply of a first fluid comprising a biological catalyst connected to at least one of the one or more first inlets of each of the one or more bioreactors; a supply of a second fluid comprising a fluorine-containing compound connected to at least one of the one or more second inlet of each of the one or more bioreactors; wherein the first fluid supplied to the first inlet is exhausted through the second first outlet, and flows in a first direction in each of the one or more bioreactors, and wherein the second fluid supplied to the second inlet is exhausted through the second outlet and flows in a direction opposite the first fluid; and wherein the first fluid contacts the second fluid in the bioreactor, and the fluorine-containing compound of the second fluid is decomposed by contact with the biological catalyst of the first fluid.

5. The exhaust gas decomposition system of claim 1, wherein the first fluid forms a fluid thin film in a fluid reaction zone disposed at an upper portion of an inner space of at least one of the one or more bioreactors, and the fluid thin film of the first fluid is in contact with the second fluid.

6. The exhaust gas decomposition system of claim 5, wherein the fluid thin film is disposed on an inner wall of at least one of the one or more bioreactors.

7. The exhaust gas decomposition system of claim 1, wherein the interior of one or more of the reactors comprises a structure that increases an area of contact between the first fluid with the second fluid in comparison with a bioreactor without the structure.

8. The exhaust gas decomposition system of claim 7, wherein the structure comprises at least one of a filler and a reflux tube.

9. The exhaust gas decomposition system of claim 7, wherein the structure is porous.

10. The exhaust gas decomposition system of claim 1, wherein the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus further comprises one or more sprayers connected to the one or more first inlets, which spray the first fluid into a fluid reaction zone.

11. The exhaust gas decomposition system of claim 1, wherein the first fluid is introduced through the one or more first inlets to an upper portion of the inner space of the one or more bioreactors; the first fluid is collected in a fluid collection zone disposed at a lower portion of the inner space of each of the one or more bioreactors, and the second fluid is introduced through the one or more second inlets to a lower portion of the bioreactor, passes through the collected first fluid, and moves into a fluid reaction zone disposed at an upper portion of the inner space of the one or more bioreactors.

12. The exhaust gas decomposition system of claim 5, wherein at least one of the one or more bioreactors is disposed at an angle of about 30 to about 150 relative to the surface of the earth.

13. The exhaust gas decomposition system of claim 1, wherein the one or more bioreactors are connected to one another in series or in parallel.

14. The exhaust gas decomposition system of claim 1, wherein the solubility of the fluorine-containing compound in water is less than or equal to 0.01 volume % at a temperature of 20 C.

15. The exhaust gas decomposition system of claim 1, wherein the biological catalyst is an enzyme or a microorganism comprising an enzyme that cleaves bonds between fluorine and carbon (FC bonds).

16. The exhaust gas decomposition system of claim 1, wherein the fluorine-containing compound is a compound represented by one of Formulae 1 to 3:
C(R.sub.1)(R.sub.2)(R.sub.3)(R.sub.4)<Formula 1>
(R.sub.5)(R.sub.6)(R.sub.7)C[C(R.sub.11)(R.sub.12)].sub.nC(R.sub.8)(R.sub.9)(R.sub.10)<Formula 2>
S(R.sub.13)(R.sub.14)(R.sub.15)(R.sub.16)(R.sub.17)(R.sub.18),<Formula 3> wherein, in Formulae 1 to 3, n is an integer of 0 to 10, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, and R.sub.4 are each independently fluorine (F), chlorine (CI), bromine (Br), iodine (I), or hydrogen (H), wherein at least one of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, and R.sub.4 is F, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7, R.sub.8, R.sub.9, R.sub.10, R.sub.11, and R.sub.12 are each independently F, Cl, Br, I, or H, wherein at least one of R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7, R.sub.8, R.sub.9, R.sub.10, R.sub.11, and R.sub.12 is F, and R.sub.13, R.sub.14, R.sub.15, R.sub.16, R.sub.17, and R.sub.18 are each independently F, Cl, Br, I, or H, wherein at least one of R.sub.13, R.sub.14, R.sub.15, R.sub.16, R.sub.17, and R.sub.18 is F.

17. The exhaust gas decomposition system of claim 16, wherein the fluorine-containing compound comprises at least one selected from CH.sub.3F, CH.sub.2F.sub.2, CHF.sub.3, CF.sub.4, and SF.sub.6.

18. The exhaust gas decomposition system of claim 1, further comprising: a first supplier for supplying the first fluid into the one or more bioreactors; a second supplier for supplying the second fluid into the one or more bioreactors; and first and second collectors for collecting a decomposition product discharged from the one or more bioreactors, wherein the first supplier comprises a culture medium, the second supplier comprises a pre-processor, and the first collector comprises a condenser.

19. A strain of Pseudomonas saitens deposited under KCTC 13107BP.

20. A method of reducing a concentration of fluorinated methane in a sample, the method comprising: contacting a KCTC 13107BP strain of Pseudomonas saitens with a sample comprising fluorinated methane represented by CH.sub.nF.sub.4-n, wherein n is an integer of 0 to 3, to reduce a concentration of fluorinated methane in a sample.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the strain further comprises a genetic modification that increases an activity of 2-haloacid dehalogenase (HAD).

22. The method of claim 21, wherein HAD is classified as EC 3.8.1.2.

23. The exhaust gas decomposition system of claim 1, wherein the bioreactor comprises a bed on which a thin film of the first fluid formed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] These and/or other aspects will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0026] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an exhaust gas decomposition apparatus and system illustrating flow of a first fluid in a first direction and optional recirculation according to an embodiment;

[0027] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an exhaust gas decomposition apparatus and system illustrating flow of a second fluid in a second direction and optional recirculation according to another embodiment;

[0028] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an exhaust gas decomposition apparatus and system of FIG. 1 having a fluid reaction zone in an upper portion and a fluid collection zone according to another embodiment

[0029] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an exhaust gas decomposition apparatus and system having a structure that increases the area of contact between a first and second fluids according to another embodiment

[0030] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an exhaust gas decomposition apparatus and system having multiple inlets and sprayers, according to another embodiment;

[0031] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an exhaust gas decomposition apparatus and system having multiple sprayers connected by a line from a single inlet according to another embodiment;

[0032] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the geometry of an exhaust gas decomposition apparatus and system according to another embodiment;

[0033] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an exhaust gas decomposition apparatus and system according to another embodiment;

[0034] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an exhaust gas decomposition apparatus and system including a plurality of reactors that are connected to one another in series according to another embodiment;

[0035] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an exhaust gas decomposition apparatus and system including a plurality of reactors that are connected to one another in parallel according to another embodiment;

[0036] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an exhaust gas decomposition complex system with first and second suppliers and collectors, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0037] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a reactor used in Examples 1 and 4;

[0038] FIG. 0.13 is a schematic diagram showing a reactor used in Examples 2 and 5;

[0039] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a reactor used in Examples 3 and 6;

[0040] FIG. 15 shows a vector map of a pET-BC HAD vector; and

[0041] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the phylogenetic tree of a separated microorganism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. In this regard, the present embodiments may have different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the descriptions set forth herein. Accordingly, the embodiments are merely described below, by referring to the figures, to explain aspects. As used herein, the term and/or includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as at least one of, when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list.

[0043] The term increase in activity or increased activity, as used herein, refers to a detectable increase in an activity of 2-haloacid dehalogenase (HAD) in a cell. For instance, an increase in activity or increased activity may refer to an activity level of HAD in a modified (for example, genetically engineered) cell that is higher than that of a comparative cell of the same type that does not have a given genetic modification (e.g., original or wild-type cell). Activity of HAD in a modified or engineered cell may be increased by any amount, such as by about 5% or more, about 10% or more, about 15% or more, about 20% or more, about 30% or more, about 50% or more, about 60% or more, about 70% or more, or about 100% or more than an activity of a cell of the same type without a given genetic modification, e.g., activity of HAD in a non-engineered or wild-type cell. A cell having an increased activity of HAD may be identified by using any method known in the art.

[0044] An increase in an activity of HAD in a cell may be achieved by an increase in expression or specific activity. The increase in expression may be caused by introduction of an exogenous polynucleotide encoding the HAD enzyme into a cell, by otherwise increasing of the copy number of a gene encoding a HAD enzyme, or by modification of a regulatory region of the polynucleotide encoding the HAD enzyme so as to increase expression levels. A microorganism into which the polynucleotide encoding the enzyme is introduced may be a microorganism that may or may not already include the polynucleotide (e.g., gene). The polynucleotide encoding the enzyme may be operably linked to a regulatory sequence that enables expression thereof, for example, a promoter, a polyadenylation site, ribosomal binding site, start and stop codons, or a combination thereof. The exogenous polynucleotide may be homologous (i.e., native to the microorganism into which it is introduced) or heterologous (i.e., not natively present in the organism).

[0045] The term increase of the copy number, as used herein, refers to a case in which the copy number is increased by introduction of another copy of an existing gene, amplification of an endogenous gene, or introduction of a gene that does not normally exist in the non-engineered cell. The introduction of the gene may be mediated by a vehicle, such as a vector. The introduction may be a transient introduction in which the gene is not integrated into a genome (e.g. via an unstable episome), or introduction that results in stable integration of the gene into the genome (e.g. episomal or chromosomal). The introduction may be performed by, for example, introducing a vector into the cell, the vector including a polynucleotide encoding a target polypeptide, and then, replicating the vector in the cell, or by integrating the polynucleotide into the genome.

[0046] The introduction of the gene may be performed by a known method, for example, transformation, transfection, or electroporation. The gene may be introduced via a vehicle or as it is. The term vehicle (or, alternatively vector), as used herein, refers to a nucleic acid molecule that is able to deliver other nucleic acids linked thereto into a cell. As a nucleic acid sequence mediating introduction of a specific gene, the vehicle used herein may be a nucleic acid construct, such as a vector or a cassette, a plasmid vector, a virus-derived vector, such as a replication-defective retrovirus, adenovirus, adeno-associated virus, or a combination thereof.

[0047] The term parent cell refers to an original cell, for example, a non-genetically engineered cell of the same type as an engineered microorganism. With respect to a particular genetic modification, the parent cell may be a cell that lacks the particular genetic modification, but is identical in all other respects. Thus, the parent cell may be a cell that is used as a starting material to produce a genetically engineered microorganism having an increased activity of a given protein (e.g., a protein having an amino acid sequence identity of about 90% or higher with respect to 2-haloacid dehalogenase (HAD)). The same comparison is also applied to other genetic modifications.

[0048] The term gene, as used herein, refers to a nucleic acid fragment encoding a particular protein, and may or may not include a regulatory sequence, e.g., a-non coding sequence 5 and/or a 3 of the coding sequence.

[0049] The term sequence identity of a polynucleotide or a polypeptide, as used herein, refers to a degree of identity between bases or amino acid residues of sequences obtained after the sequences are aligned so as to best match in certain comparable regions. The sequence identity is a value that is measured by comparing two sequences in certain comparable regions via optimal alignment of the two sequences, in which portions of the sequences in the certain comparable regions may be added or deleted compared to reference sequences. A percentage of sequence identity may be calculated by, for example, comparing two optimally aligned sequences in the entire comparable regions, determining the number of locations in which the same amino acids or nucleic acids appear so that the number of matching locations may be obtained, dividing the number of matching locations by the total number of locations in the comparable regions (that is, the size of a range), and multiplying a result of the division by 100 to obtain the percentage of the sequence identity. The percentage of the sequence identity may be determined using a known sequence alignment or comparison program, for example, BLASTN (NCBI), BLASTP (NCBI), CLC Main Workbench (CLC bio), MegAlign (DNASTAR Inc), etc.

[0050] Various levels of sequence identity may be used to identify various types of polypeptides or polynucleotides having the same or similar functions or activities. For example, the sequence identity may include a sequence identity of about 50% or more, about 55% or more, about 60% or more, about 65% or more, about 70% or more, about 75% or more, about 80% or more, about 85% or more, about 90% or more, about 95% or more, about 96% or more, about 97% or more, about 98% or more, about 99% or more, or 100%.

[0051] The term genetic modification, as used herein, refers to an artificial alteration in a constitution or structure of the genetic material of a cell.

[0052] Hereinafter, embodiments of an exhaust gas decomposition apparatus, an exhaust gas decomposition system including the same, and methods of using the apparatus or system will be described in detail.

[0053] The term exhaust gas used herein refers to all kinds of gases including a fluorine-containing compound exhausted from fixed or mobile machinery, equipment, or the like. The exhaust gas may be a mixture containing liquid or solid particles in addition to pure gas.

[0054] According to an embodiment, an exhaust gas decomposition system may include: one or more bioreactors, each of which includes one or more first inlets (inlets for introduction of a first fluid) and one or more first outlets (outlets for expelling a first fluid). Each bioreactor can further comprise one or more second inlets (inlets for introduction of a second fluid) and one or more second outlets (outlets for expelling a second fluid) Thus, each bioreactor of the apparatus or system can include a plurality of inlets (e.g., at least 1, 2, 3, 4, or more inlets) and a plurality of outlets (e.g., at least 1, 2, 3, 4, or more outlets. In each of the one or more bioreactors, a fluorine-containing compound may be decomposed by contact between a first fluid and a second fluid, wherein the first fluid may be supplied through the one or more first inlets (e.g. from a supply via a line) and exhausted through the one or more first outlets, and may flow in a first direction, and the second fluid may be supplied through the one or more second inlets (e.g. from a supply via a line) and exhausted through the one or more second outlets, and may flow in a second direction generally opposite the first direction. One of the first fluid and the second fluid may include a biological catalyst that catalyzes decomposition of the fluorine-containing compound, and the other may include a fluorine-containing compound. The bioreactor can provide a bed on which a thin film of the first fluid is formed and it flows in a first direction. For example, the bed can be an inner wall of the reactor.

[0055] Since the fluorine-containing compound is decomposed by using a biological catalyst in the exhaust gas decomposition system, the fluorine-containing compound may be decomposed in an environmentally friendly manner without involvement of a high temperature and heat, and without using excessive energy. In addition, due to continuous and repeated flowing of at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid in each of the one or more reactors in the exhaust gas decomposition system by circulation or the like, the contact time between the first fluid and the second fluid may be increased, and accordingly, a decomposition rate of the fluorine-containing compound may be improved.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 1, an exhaust gas decomposition apparatus and/or system 100 includes one or more reactors 10, each of which includes one or more first inlets 11, one or more first outlets 12. A first fluid comprising a biological catalyst 30 may be supplied through the one or more first inlets 11 and exhausted through the one or more first outlets 12, and may flow in a first direction 31 within each of the one or more reactors 10. In each of the one or more reactors 10, a second fluid may reside or flow that contains a fluorine-containing compound, and the fluorine-containing compound in the second fluid may be decomposed by contact between first fluid 30 and second fluid 40. In some embodiments, the second fluid (not shown in FIG. 1) may be supplied through the one or more second inlets 21 and exhausted through the one or more second outlets 22, and may flow in a first direction 31 within each of the one or more reactors 10. Alternatively, the first fluid 30 can comprise the fluorine-containing compound, and the second fluid 40 may include a biological catalyst. The number of the first inlets 11 and the first outlets 12 are not particularly limited, but depending on the required reaction conditions, the respective numbers thereof may be one or more.

[0057] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, in the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100, the first fluid 30 may be liquid containing a biological catalyst, and the second fluid 40 may be gas including a fluorine-containing compound.

[0058] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, each of the one or more reactors 10 in the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100 may further include a first circulation line 13 for re-supplying at least a portion of the first fluid 30 discharged from the one or more first outlets 12 back to the one or more first inlets 11. The first circulation line 13 may be operated by, for example, a first circulation pump 14, but embodiments are not limited thereto. Any device capable of circulating fluid, such as a fan, may be used. Due to the recirculation of at least a portion of the first fluid 30 back to each of the one or more reactors 10 in the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100, the first fluid 30 and the second fluid 40 may be in continuous contact with each other, thereby increasing the contact time and decomposition rate of the fluorine-containing compound. For example, referring to FIG. 1, in the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100, the first fluid 30 may circulate through each of the one or more reactors 10 and along the first circulation line 13, whereas the second fluid 40 may be present only inside each of the one or more reactors 10. The second fluid 40 may be supplied to each of the one or more reactors 10 through a second inlet 21, and after the completion of the reaction, the second fluid 40 may be discharged from each of the one or more reactors 10 through a second outlet 22.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 2, each of the one or more reactors 10 in the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100 may further include a second inlet 21 and a second outlet 22. The second fluid 40 may be supplied to each of the one or more reactors 10 through the second inlet 21, discharged to the outside of each of the one or more reactors 10 through the second outlet 22, and may flow in a second direction 41 within each of the one or more reactors 10. For example, the second direction 41 in which the second fluid 40 flows may be different from the first direction 31 in which the first fluid 30 flows. For example, the second direction 41 in which the second fluid 40 flows may be a direction opposite to the first direction 31 in which the first fluid 30 flows. In each of the one or more reactors 10 in the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100, due to the flow of the first fluid 30 and the second fluid 40 in different or in opposite directions, a substantial area of contact between the first fluid 30 and the second fluid 40 may increase, thereby improving the decomposition rate of the fluorine-containing compound.

[0060] Each of the one or more reactors 10 in the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100 may further include a second circulation line 23 for re-supplying at least a portion of the second fluid 40 discharged from the second outlet 22 back to the second inlet 21. The fluid in the second circulation line 23 may impelled by, for example, a second circulation pump 24, but embodiments are not limited thereto. Any device capable of circulating fluid in the art, such as a fan, may be used. Due to the circulation of the first fluid 30 through each of the one or more reactors 10 and along the first circulation line 13 and the second fluid 40 through each of the one or more reactors 10 and along the second circulation line 23, contact time between the first fluid 30 and the second fluid 40 may be increased, and accordingly, the decomposition rate of the fluorine-containing compound may be improved.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 3, a fluid collection zone 50 disposed at a lower (e.g., in the bottom half as measured along an axis of an elongate reactor) portion of the interior of one or more reactors 10 and a fluid reaction zone 60 disposed at an upper (e.g., in the top half as measured along an axis of an elongate reactor) portion of the interior of each of the one or more reactors 10 in the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100, the first fluid 30 and the second fluid 40 may contact each other, thereby decomposing the fluorine-containing compound. In the inside, i.e., inner space or lumen, of each of the one or more reactors 10, the fluid collection zone 50 may be disposed at a bottom (e.g., in the bottom half as measured along the axis) portion, and the fluid reaction zone 60 may be disposed above the fluid collection zone 50. The upper portion of each of the one or more bioreactors 10 correspond to a region near inlet 11 and lower portion of each of the one or more bioreactors 10 correspond to a region near outlet 12. The first fluid 30 supplied to each of the one or more reactors 10 through the one or more first inlets 11 may be collected in the fluid collection zone 50. Here, a size and a shape of the fluid collection zone 50 are not particularly limited, but may be determined by a total volume and a shape of the collected first fluid 30. The fluid reaction zone 60 may occupy the inner space of each of the one or more reactors 10, except for the fluid collection zone 50. At least a portion of the first fluid 30 collected in the fluid collection zone 50 may be discharged to the outside of each of the one or more reactors 10 through the first outlet 12. Since the fluid collection zone 50 includes the second inlet 21, the second fluid 40 supplied into each of the one or more reactors 10 may contact the first fluid 30 while the second fluid 40 passes, in the form of bubbles, through the collected the first fluid 30, thereby decomposing the fluorine-containing compound. In addition, in the fluid reaction zone 60, the second fluid 40 passing through the fluid collection zone 50 may contact the first fluid 30 supplied into each of the one or more reactors 10 through the first inlet 11, thereby decomposing the fluorine-containing compound.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 3, in the fluid reaction zone 60 disposed at an upper portion of the interior of the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100, a fluid thin film 32 containing the first fluid 30 may contact the second fluid 40. A fluid thin film as used herein means a layer of fluid on a surface having a width or length dimension parallel to the surface that is substantially greater (e.g., 10x or more, 100x or more, or 1000x or more) than its depth perpendicular to the surface. By way of illustration, and without limitation, a fluid thin film on a surface might have a depth of a few micrometers (e.g., 5 um or 10 um) to tens or hundreds of micrometers (e.g., 50 um, 100 um, 500 um, 1,000 um or 5000 um). The fluid thin film may has a thickness of 0.1 mm to 10 mm, or 0.5 or 5 mm. When the first fluid 30 in the form of the fluid thin film 32 contacts the second fluid 40, the area of contact between the first fluid 30 and the second fluid 40 may increase because the thin film of first fluid has a greater surface area to contact the second fluid. In this regard, since an amount of the first fluid 30 contacting the second fluid 40 increases, the residence time of the first fluid 30 contacting the second fluid 40 in each of the one or more reactors 10 may also increase, thereby improving the decomposition rate of the fluorine-containing compound. The fluid thin film 32 may be disposed on the inner wall of each of the one or more reactors 10 such that the fluid thin film 32 may flow while covering the inner wall. As the inner wall of each of the one or more reactors 10 is coated by the fluid thin film 32, the residence time of the first fluid 30 in each of the one or more reactors 10 may also increase.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 4, each of the one or more reactors 10 of the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100 may further include a structure 70 that increases the area of contact between the first fluid 30 and the second fluid 40. For example, the structure 70 may be at least one of a filling material and a reflux pipe, but embodiments are not limited thereto. The filling material may be a particulate material such as inorganic porous beads or organic porous beads. The filling material may be filler and it may be a bed for a formation of thin film of the first fluid. Any structure in the art capable of increasing the area of contact between the first fluid 30 and the second fluid 40 may be used. When the structure 70 is a filling material, any open structure may be used wherein the open structure is a regularly or irregularly structured hollow structure having high porosity due to having formed therein many interstices and large passages for the flow of fluids. The large passage means a passage in which a diameter of the passage is larger than a thickness of the thin film of the first fluid 30 that flows through the passage. The structure 70 may be connected and fixed to each of the one or more reactors 10. Alternatively, the structure 70 may be simply put into the lumen of the one or more reactors 10, recovered after a period of time, and then separated from the one or more reactors 10. For example, the structure 70 may be porous. For example, the structure 70 may include porous polymeric particles, such as porous polypropylene particles, porous inorganic particles, such as zeolite, and the like, but embodiments are not limited thereto. Any porous material available in the art may be used as the structure 70. The size of the porous polymeric particles and the porous inorganic particles is not particularly limited. For example, the porous polymeric particles and the porous inorganic particles may have a particle size in a range of about 1 mm.sup.3 to about 1,000 cm.sup.3, about 1 mm.sup.3 to about 100 cm.sup.3, about 1 mm.sup.3 to about 10 cm.sup.3, about 1 mm.sup.3 to about 1 cm.sup.3, or about 1 mm.sup.3 to about 0.1 cm.sup.3. The porosity of the porous polymeric particles and the porous inorganic particles is not particularly limited. For example, the porous polymeric particles and the porous inorganic particles may have porosity in a range of about 1% to about 99%, about 5% to about 95%, about 10% to about 90%, about 20% to about 80%, or about 30% to about 70%. The porosity refers to the volume occupied by pores in the total volume of the particles.

[0064] The volume occupied by the construct 70 within the entire volume of the reactor 10 is not particularly limited, but for example, the construct 70 may account for about 1% to about 99%, about 5% to about 95%, about 10% to about 90%, about 20% to about 80%, or about 30% to about 70% of the entire volume of the reactor 10. When the area of contact between the first fluid 30 and the second fluid 40 increases by disposing the structure 70 within the reactor 10, the decomposition rate of the fluorine-containing compound may be improved.

[0065] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, one or more first inlets 11a, 11b, and 11c are connected to the fluid reaction zone 60 at an upper portion of the interior of the reactor 10 in the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100, thereby supplying the first fluid 30 to the reactor 10 through the one or more first inlets 11a, 11b, and 11c. As the first fluid 30 is supplied to the reactor 10 through the one or more first inlets 11a, 11b, and 11c, the first fluid 30 may be uniformly supplied to the fluid reaction zone 60 at an upper portion of the interior of the reactor 10. In addition, referring to FIG. 5, a fluid thin film (not shown) having a uniform thickness may be formed on a surface of the fluid reaction zone 60 at an upper portion of the interior of the reactor 10, thereby obtaining a uniform decomposition rate of the fluorine-containing gas. In addition, the reactor 10 may further include one or more sprayers 15a, 15b, and 15c that are connected to the one or more first inlets 11a, 11b, and 11c, respectively, for spraying the first fluid 30 into the fluid reaction zone 60. Here, the direction in which the sprayers 15a, 15b, and 15c each spray the first fluid 30 is not limited, and may each spray the first fluid 30 in top, bottom, left, and right directions while rotating.

[0066] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 6, in the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 10, the first fluid 30 may be collected in the fluid collection zone 50 at a bottom portion of the interior of each of the one or more reactors 10, and the second fluid 40 supplied into the reactor 10 through the second inlet 21 may pass, in the form of bubbles, through the collected first fluid 30. The second fluid 40 may flow to the fluid reaction zone 60 disposed at a top portion of the interior of each of the one or more reactors 10, and then, may be discharged out of each of the one or more reactors 10 through the second outlet 22. The second fluid 40 may have a wide area of contact with the first fluid 30 in the fluid reaction zone 60, and thus, the fluorine-containing compound may be decomposed mainly in the fluid reaction zone 60.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 7, in the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100, an aspect ratio of the reactor 10, i.e., a ratio of a diameter D to a height H of each of the one or more reactors 10 may be 2 or more. When the aspect ratio of each of the one or more reactors 10 is 2 or more, the residence time of the first fluid 30 and the second fluid 40 in the reactor 10 may increase, thereby improving the decomposition rate of the fluorine-containing compound. For example, the aspect ratio of the reactor 10 may be 5 or more. For example, the aspect ratio of the reactor 10 may be 10 or more. For example, the aspect ratio of the reactor 10 may be 15 or more. For example, the aspect ratio of the reactor 10 may be 20 or more. For example, the aspect ratio of the reactor 10 may be 50 or less.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 7, in the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100, the reactor 10, e.g., a longitudinal axis H of the reactor 10, may be arranged at an angle of about 30 to about 150 (e.g., about 30 to less than 90, or greater than 90 to about) 150 with respect to the surface of the earth. For example, the reactor 10 may be arranged at an angle of about 50 to about 130 (e.g., about 50 to less than 90, or greater than 90 to about 130) with respect to the surface of the earth. For example, the reactor 10 may be arranged at an angle of about 70 to about 110 (e.g., about 70 to less than 90, or greater than 90 to about 110) with respect to the surface of the earth. For example, the reactor 10 may be arranged at an angle of about 80 to about 100 (e.g., about 80 to less than 90, or greater than 90 to about 100) with respect to the surface of the earth. For example, the reactor 10 may be arranged at an angle of about 50 to about 90 or less than 90 with respect to the surface of the earth. In the exhaust gas decomposition system 100, the reactor 10, e.g., a longitudinal axis H of the reactor 10, may be arranged at an angle of about 90. Further, when exhaust gas decomposition system 100, the reactor 10, e.g., a longitudinal axis H of the reactor 10, is arranged at an angle of about 90 with respect to the surface of the earth, the inner wall of the reactor 10 may be arranged at an angle of less than 90 with respect to the surface of the earth to form a bed within the reactor 10. In other words, the inner wall disposed at an angle less than 90 with respect to the surface of the earth provides a surface facing generally upward or away from the surface of the earth that provides a bed within the reactor. Within the range of the angle at which the reactor 10 is disposed, a fluid thin film (not shown) containing the first fluid 30 may be well formed on an inner wall of the reactor 10 over a large area, thereby improving the decomposition rate of the fluorine-containing compound.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 7, in the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100, the reactor 10 may rotate. For example, in the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100, the reactor 10 may rotate on a longitudinal axis H of the reactor 10. Here, a direction and a speed of rotation of each of the one or more reactors 10 may be appropriately selected within a range in which the area of contact between the first fluid 30 and the second fluid 40 in each of the one or more reactors 10 may increase. For example, the speed at which the reactor 10 rotates may be in a range of about 0.01 revolutions per minute (rpm) to about 100 rpm. For example, the speed at which each of the one or more reactors 10 rotates may be in a range of about 0.1 rpm to about 10 rpm.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 8, in the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100, the first fluid 30 may be gas including a fluorine-containing compound, and the second fluid 40 may be liquid containing a biological catalyst.

[0071] In the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100 of FIG. 8, the first fluid 30 may be gas and the second fluid 40 may be liquid, wherein the second fluid does not recirculate. In embodiments of the apparatus or system of FIGS. 1-7, liquid which is the first fluid 30 circulates in the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system. In the apparatus or system of FIG. 8, the liquid which is the second fluid 40 does not circulate during a reaction.

[0072] In the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100 of FIG. 8, the second fluid 40 may be in the fluid collection zone 50 disposed at a bottom portion of the interior of the reactor 10, and the first fluid 30 supplied into the reactor 10 through the first inlet 11 may pass, in the form of bubbles, through the second fluid 40. The second fluid 40 may flow to an upper portion of the interior of each of the one or more reactors 10, and then, may be discharged from each of the one or more reactors 10 through the second outlet 22. As the first fluid 30 passes, in the form of bubbles, through the second fluid 40, the fluorine-containing compound may be decomposed by the contact between the first fluid 30 and the second fluid 40. That is, in the reactor 10 of the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100 of FIG. 8, the fluid collection zone 50 is the same as the fluid reaction zone 60 in its functions. In addition, in the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100 of FIG. 8, the reactor 10 may further include the first circulation line 13 for re-supplying at least a portion of the first fluid 30 discharged from the first outlet 12 back through the first inlet 11. In the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100 of FIG. 8, due to the circulation of at least a portion of the first fluid 30 back to reactor 10, the first fluid 30 and the second fluid 40 may be in continuous contact with each other, thereby increasing the contact time thereof, and in this regard, the decomposition rate of the fluorine-containing compound may be improved. For example, in the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100 of FIG. 8, the first fluid 30 may circulate through the reactor 10 and along the first circulation line 13, whereas the second fluid 40 may be present only inside the reactor 10.

[0073] Referring to FIG. 8, at a bottom portion of the interior of the reactor 10 in the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100, the structure 70 that increases the contact area between the first fluid 30 and the second fluid 40 may be further included. The structure 70 is the same as described above. The additional inclusion of the structure 70 increases the area of contact between the first fluid 30 and the second fluid 40 at a bottom portion of the interior of the reactor 10 and may lead to improvement of the decomposition rate of the fluorine-containing compound.

[0074] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, in the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100, a plurality of reactors 10a, 10b, and 10c may be connected to one another in series or in parallel, thereby improving the decomposition rate of the fluorine-containing compound.

[0075] Referring to FIG. 9, in the plurality of reactors 10a, 10b, and 10c that are connected one another in series in the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100, the first fluid (not shown) or the second fluid 40 discharged from one reactor (e.g., reactor 10a) may be sequentially supplied to another reactor (e.g., reactor 10b). As the number of the reactors connected to one another in series increases, the time and/or area of contact between the first fluid (not shown) and the second fluid 40 may also increase, thereby improving the decomposition rate of the fluorine-containing compound. For example, the second fluid 40 may be supplied to one reactor (e.g., reactor 10a) through one second inlet (e.g., second inlet 21a) and discharged through one second outlet (e.g., second outlet 22a), and then, may be supplied again to another reactor (e.g., reactor 10b) through another second inlet (e.g., second inlet 21b) and discharged again out from the reactor 10b through another second outlet (e.g, second outlet 22a). After passing through the plurality of reactors 10a, 10b, and 10c in this manner, the second fluid 40 may be supplied to a final reactor (e.g., reactor 10c) through a second inlet (e.g., second inlet 21c) and discharged through a second outlet (e.g., second outlet 22c).

[0076] Referring to FIG. 10, in a plurality of reactors 10a, 10b, and 10c that are connected to one another in parallel in the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100, the first fluid (not shown) or the second fluid may be simultaneously supplied to each of the plurality of reactors 10a, 10b, and 10c, and then, may be simultaneously discharged out from each of the plurality of reactors 10a, 10b, and 10c. As the number of reactors that are connected to one another in parallel increases, the time and/or area of contact between the first fluid (not shown) and the second fluid 40 may also increase, thereby improving the decomposition rate of the fluorine-containing compound. For example, the second fluid 40 may be simultaneously supplied to the plurality of reactors 10a, 10b, 10c through a plurality of second inlets 21a, 21b, and 21c, respectively, and may be simultaneously exhausted through a plurality of second outlets 22a, 22b, and 22c.

[0077] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 10, an inside temperature of the reactor 10 of the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100 may be about 50 C. or less. Since a biological catalyst is used in the reactor 10, the fluorine-containing compound may be decomposed at low temperatures of 50 C. or less. For example, the inside temperature the reactor 10 of the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100 may be about 45 C. or less. For example, the inside temperature of the reactor 10 of the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100 may be about 40 C. or less. For example, the inside temperature of the reactor 10 of the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100 may be about 35 C. or less. For example, the inside temperature of the reactor 10 of the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100 may be about 30 C. or less. For example, the inside temperature of the reactor 10 of the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100 may be about may be in a range of about 20 C. to about 50 C. When the inside temperature of the reactor 10 is within the above ranges, the decomposition rate of the fluorine-containing compound may be improved. Temperature control can be achieved via a suitable thermal control device (e.g., a thermostat and thermocouple with a microcontroller).

[0078] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 10, the decomposition rate of the fluorine-containing compound after about 70 hours in the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100 may be about 30% or more. That is, the amount of the fluorine-containing compound included in the reactor 10 of the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100 may be reduced to about 70% or less relative to the initial amount of the fluorine-containing compound, after about 70 hours from the initial introduction time of the fluorine-containing compound into the reactor. For example, the decomposition rate of the fluorine-containing compound after about 70 hours in the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100 may be about 35% or more. For example, the decomposition rate of the fluorine-containing compound after about 70 hours in the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100 may be about 40% or more. For example, the decomposition rate of the fluorine-containing compound after about 70 hours in the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100 may be about 45%. For example, the decomposition rate of the fluorine-containing compound after about 70 hours in the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100 may be about 50% or more.

[0079] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 10, water-solubility of the fluorine-containing compound in the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100 may be about 0.01 volume % or less at a temperature of 20 C. and 1 atm. For example, the water-solubility of the fluorine-containing compound in the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100 may be about 0.009 volume % at a temperature of 20 C. and 1 atm. For example, the water-solubility of the fluorine-containing compound in the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100 may be about 0.008 volume % at a temperature of 20 C. at 1 atm. For example, the water-solubility of the fluorine-containing compound in the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100 may be about 0.007 volume % at a temperature of 20 C. at 1 atm. For example, the water-solubility of the fluorine-containing compound in the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100 may be about 0.006 volume % at a temperature of 20 C. at 1 atm. That is, the fluorine-containing compound may be substantially insoluble in liquid, such as water, containing a biological catalyst. Therefore, although the fluorine-containing compound is insoluble in liquid containing a biological catalyst, the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100 provides improvements in terms of an area and a time of contact of the fluorine-containing compound with liquid containing a biological catalyst, thereby improving the decomposition rate of the fluorine-containing compound.

[0080] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 10, the liquid containing the biological catalyst in the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100 may be a medium including at least one of an enzyme and a microorganism, wherein the enzyme cleaves FC bonds. Here, the type of the medium is not particularly limited, and any medium capable of culturing a microorganism, such as an enzyme and a strain including the enzyme, may be used. For example, the medium may be a Luria-Bertani (LB) medium. Since the biological catalyst degrades FC bonds, the fluorine-containing compound which contacts the biological catalyst may also be decomposed.

[0081] For example, the biological catalyst may include a microorganism belonging to the genus Pseudomonas. For example, a microorganism included in the biological catalyst may be a strain of P. saitens.

[0082] In addition, the biological catalyst may include a genetic modification that increases an activity level of 2-haloacid dehalogenase (HAD). The HAD may be of/classified-as EC 3.8.1.2. For example, the 2-HAD may be derived from strains selected from the group consisting of Bacillus cereus, B. thuringiensis, B. megaterium, and Pseudomonas saitens, but embodiments are not limited thereto. Any suitable strain available in the art may be used as the strain including the 2-HAD. For example, the recombinant microorganism may belong to the genus Escherichia, the genus Bacillus, or the genus Pseudomonas, but embodiments are not limited thereto. Any strain in the art suitable for use as the recombinant microorganism may be used.

[0083] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 10, in the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100, oxygen may or may not be included in the reactor 10 depending on a type of the microorganism included in the biological catalyst. For example, when the microorganism included in the biological catalyst is anaerobic, the reactor 10 includes no oxygen or air. For example, when the microorganism included in the biological catalyst is aerobic, the reactor 10 includes oxygen or air therein, or may consist of oxygen or air.

[0084] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 10, in the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100, the fluorine-containing compound may be a compound represented by one of Formulae 1 to 3:

C(R.sub.1)(R.sub.2)(R.sub.3)(R.sub.4)<Formula 1>

(R.sub.5)(R.sub.6)(R.sub.7)C[C(R.sub.11)(R.sub.12)].sub.nC(R.sub.8)(R.sub.9)(R.sub.10)<Formula 2>

S(R.sub.13)(R.sub.14)(R.sub.15)(R.sub.16)(R.sub.17)(R.sub.18).<Formula 3>

[0085] In Formulae 1 to 3, n is an integer of 0 to 10,

[0086] R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, and R.sub.4 may each independently be fluorine (F), chlorine (CI), bromine (Br), iodine (I), or hydrogen (H), wherein at least one selected from R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, and R.sub.4 is F,

[0087] R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7, R.sub.8, R.sub.9, R.sub.10, R.sub.11, and R.sub.12 may each independently be F, Cl, Br, I, or H, wherein at least one selected from R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7, R.sub.8, R.sub.9, R.sub.10, R.sub.11, and R.sub.12 is F, and

[0088] R.sub.13, R.sub.14, R.sub.15, R.sub.16, R.sub.17, and R.sub.18 may each independently be F, Cl, Br, I, or H, wherein at least one selected from R.sub.13, R.sub.14, R.sub.15, R.sub.16, R.sub.17, and R.sub.18 is F.

[0089] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 10, in the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100, the fluorine-containing compound may be a compound represented by one of Formulae 4 to 6:

C(R.sub.21)(R.sub.22)(R.sub.23)(R.sub.24)<Formula 4>

(R.sub.25)(R.sub.26)(R.sub.27)C[C(R.sub.31)(R.sub.32)].sub.mC(R.sub.28)(R.sub.29)(R.sub.30)<Formula 5>

S(R.sub.33)(R.sub.34)(R.sub.35)(R.sub.36)(R.sub.37)(R.sub.38).<Formula 6>

[0090] In Formulae 4 to 6,

[0091] m is an integer of 0 to 5,

[0092] R.sup.21, R.sup.22, R.sup.23, and R.sup.24 may each independently be F or H, wherein at least one selected from R.sup.21, R.sup.22, R.sup.23, and R.sup.24 is F,

[0093] R.sup.25, R.sup.26, R.sup.27, R.sup.28, R.sup.29, R.sup.30, R.sup.31, and R.sup.32 may each independently be F or H, wherein at least one selected from R.sup.25, R.sup.26, R.sup.27, R.sup.28, R.sup.29, R.sup.30, R.sup.31, and R.sup.32 is F, and

[0094] R.sup.33, R.sup.34, R.sup.35, R.sup.36, R.sup.37, and R.sup.38 may each independently be F or H, wherein at least one selected from R.sup.33, R.sup.34, R.sup.35, R.sup.36, R.sup.37, and R.sup.38 is F.

[0095] For example, in the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100, the fluorine-containing compound may include at least one selected from CH.sub.3F, CH.sub.2F.sub.2, CHF.sub.3, CF.sub.4, and SF.sub.6.

[0096] According to another aspect of an embodiment, there is provided an exhaust gas decomposition system including the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system as hereinbefore described, and further including a first supplier or supply for supplying first fluid into the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system, a second supplier or supply for supplying second fluid into the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system; and a collector for collecting a decomposition product discharged from the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system. The exhaust gas decomposition system may further include other devices, thereby further improving the decomposition rate of exhaust gas. The supplier is a system or unit that supplies the first fluid into the exhaust gas decomposition system. The supplier may be, for instance, a large tank containing the exhaust gas, or a vent line of an industrial plant. The collector is a system or unit that collects some or all of the decomposition product that is discharged from exhaust gas decomposition system. The collector may be, for instance, a condenser or water bath. The exhaust gas decomposition system comprising such other elements is sometimes referred to as an exhaust gas decomposition complex.

[0097] Referring to FIG. 11, an exhaust gas decomposition complex 1000 includes the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100, a first supplier 200 for supplying the first fluid 30 to the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100, a second supplier 300 for supplying the second fluid 40 to the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100, and first and second collectors 400 and 500 for collecting a decomposition product exhausted from the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100.

[0098] Referring to FIG. 11, the first supplier 200 in the exhaust gas decomposition complex 1000 may include a seed culture medium in which a biological catalyst, such as a microorganism, is cultured at a high concentration. When a microorganism is cultured at a high concentration, the decomposition rate of the fluorine-containing compound in the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100 may be improved.

[0099] Referring to FIG. 11, the second supplier 300 in the exhaust gas decomposition complex 1000 may include a pre-processor, such as an exhaust gas cleaning system commonly referred to as a scrubber or fabric filter. The pre-processor means a system or unit that pre-treats the exhaust gas entering the exhaust gas decomposition system by removing some large impurities from the exhaust gas. In the scrubber, impurities including solid particles, hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, and the like may be collected (but not the fluorine-containing compound included in exhaust gas), to thereby purify the exhaust gas. As the impurities are collected in the scrubber, the purity of the fluorine-containing compound included in the second fluid 40 that is supplied to the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100 increases, thereby improving the decomposition rate of the fluorine-containing compound.

[0100] Referring to FIG. 11, the first collector 400 in the exhaust gas decomposition complex 1000 may include a condenser. Since the first collector 400 is a device for collecting gases exhausted from the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100, a condenser or the like may be used to liquefy exhausted gases. For example, hydrofluoric acid (HF) gas has a boiling point as low as a temperature of 19.5 C. Thus, a condenser included in the first collector 400 may be used to liquefy HF gas exhausted from the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100, by lowering the temperature thereof to 19 C. or below, thereby collecting liquefied HF or supplying liquefied HF to the second collector 500.

[0101] Referring to FIG. 11, the second collector 500 in the exhaust gas decomposition complex 1000 may include a residual liquid processor for neutralizing residual liquid discharged from at least one of the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100 and the first collector 400. For example, a decomposition product discharged in a liquid state from a bottom portion of the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100 may include liquid HF, and a decomposition product liquefied in the first collector 400 may also include liquid HF. In this regard, a base such as Ca(OH).sub.2 may be added to liquid HF to precipitate a salt of CaF.sub.2 and thereby collect fluorine ions. Other than CaF.sub.2, water (H.sub.2O) which is harmless to the environment is produced.

[0102] Referring to FIG. 11, the decomposition product discharged from the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100 of the exhaust gas decomposition complex 1000 may include at least one selected from HF and hydrocarbon gases. A gaseous decomposition product may be exhausted through a top portion of the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100 to be supplied to the first collector 400, whereas a decomposition product in liquid form may be exhausted through a bottom portion of the exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system 100 to be supplied to the second collector 500.

[0103] According to another aspect of an embodiment, there is provided strain KCTC 13107BP of Pseudomonas saitens, the strain being capable of reducing a concentration of fluorinated methane in a sample.

[0104] The strain may include a genetic modification that increases an activity level of the 2-HAD. The 2-HAD catalyzes a chemical reaction of 2-haloacid+H.sub.2O2-hydroxy acid+halide. That is, two substrates of the 2-HAD are 2-haloacid and H.sub.2O, and two products of the 2-HAD are 2-hydroxy acid and halide. The 2-HAD may belong to a family of hydrolases that act on a halide bond in a carbon-halide compound. However, reduction of the concentration of fluorinated methane or other fluorinated compound in a sample by the microorganism should not necessarily be interpreted as being limited to such a specific mechanism. The genetic modification may include increasing a number of copies of a gene encoding the 2-HAD. The gene encoding the 2-HAD may be an exogenous gene, and may be derived from the genus Bacillus, the genus Pseudomonas, the genus Azotobacter, the genus Agrobacterium, and the genus Escherichia. The gene encoding the 2-HAD may be derived from strains of B. cereus, B. thuringiensis, B. megaterium, or Pseudomonas saitens KCTC 13107BP. The 2-HAD may be an enzyme classified as EC 3.8.1.2.

[0105] The genetic modification may include increasing the number of copies of a gene encoding a polypeptide having a sequence identity of about 95% or higher with an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. The gene may have a sequence identity of about 95% or higher with a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2. The genetic modification may include introducing the gene encoding the 2-HAD, for example, via a vehicle such as a vector. The gene encoding the 2-HAD may exist within or outside the chromosome. A plurality of HAD genes or gene copies may be introduced, for example, 2 or more, 5 or more, 10 or more, 50 or more, 100 or more, or 1,000 or more.

[0106] The microorganism may reduce a concentration of fluorinated methane. The reduction may be performed by introducing a hydroxyl group into carbon by using a protein acting on CF bonds or CH bonds of fluorinated methane, or may be performed by accumulating fluorinated methane in cells of the microorganism. In addition, the reduction may include cleavage of CF bonds of fluorinated methane, conversion of fluorinated methane into a different material, or accumulation of fluorinated methane in cells of the microorganism. The sample used herein may be liquid or gaseous. The sample may be factory waste water or waste gas. Any sample including fluorinated methane may be used in the art. Fluorinated methane may include CF.sub.4, CHF.sub.3, CH.sub.2F.sub.2, CH.sub.3F, or a mixture thereof.

[0107] According to another aspect of an embodiment, there is provided a composition for reducing a concentration of fluorinated methane represented by CH.sub.nF.sub.4-n (wherein n is an integer of 0 to 3), the composition including a strain KCTC 13107BP of Pseudomonas saitens.

[0108] Regarding the composition, the recombinant microorganism, the sample, and the fluorinated methane are the same defined in the description above.

[0109] Regarding the composition, the term reducing refers to reduction of a concentration of fluorinated methane in a sample, including complete removal of fluorinated methane in a sample. Here, the sample may be liquid or gaseous. The sample may or may not include the microorganism. The composition may further include a material that increases solubility of fluorinated methane in a medium or a culture product.

[0110] According to another aspect of an embodiment, there is provided a method of reducing a concentration of fluorinated methane in a sample, the method including: contacting a strain KCTC 13107BP of Pseudomonas saitens with a sample including fluorinated methane represented by CH.sub.nF.sub.4-n (wherein n is an integer of 0 to 3).

[0111] Regarding the method, the microorganism and the sample including fluorinated methane represented by CH.sub.nF.sub.4-n (wherein n is an integer of 0 to 3) are the same as defined in the description above.

[0112] Regarding the method, the contacting of the strain with the sample may be performed in a liquid phase environment or a solid phase environment. The contacting of the strain with the sample may be performed by, for example, contacting the sample with a culture product of a microorganism cultured on a medium. The culture may be performed under conditions in which a microorganism may grow. The contacting of the strain with the sample may be performed in a sealed container. The contacting of the strain with the sample may be performed when the growth stage of the microorganism is at an exponential phase or a stationary phase. The culture may be performed under aerobic or anaerobic conditions. The contacting of the strain with the sample may be performed under conditions in which a recombinant microorganism may survive in a sealed container. Such viable conditions may include a condition allowing proliferation of a recombinant microorganism or a condition allowing a recombinant microorganism to exist in a resting state. The contacting of the strain with the sample can be as described in reference to the various embodiments of apparatus and system described above in connection with FIGS. 1-14.

[0113] Regarding the method, the sample may be liquid or gaseous. The sample may be factory waste water or waste gas. The sample may not only passively contact the culture product of the microorganism, but may also actively contact the culture product of the microorganism. The sample may be, for example, subjected to a sparging process using a culture medium of the microorganism. That is, the sample may be blown through a medium or a culture medium. The sparging process may include blowing gas from the bottom of the medium or the culture medium to the top. The sparging process may include injecting of the sample while preparing droplets of the sample.

[0114] Regarding the method, the contacting of the strain with the sample may be performed in a batchwise or continuous manner. The contacting of the strain with the sample may include repeatedly or continuously contacting a sample with new, fresh microorganism. Thus, for instance, a sample having been contacted with the microorganism and having had the fluorine-containing compound in the sample reduced can be again contacted with a second, fresh microorganism and the fluorine-containing compound in the sample further reduced. The second microorganism can be of the same or different type as the first. Thus, for instance, the second microorganism can comprise a genetic modification that increases the activity level of the 2-HAD. Such contacting of the sample with the fresh microorganism may occur twice or more, for example, 2, 3, 5, or 10 times or more. The contacting of the sample with the fresh microorganism may be continuous or repeated for a period of time until a desired reduced concentration of fluorinated methane in the sample is achieved.

[0115] Regarding the method, the strain may further include a genetic modification that increases an activity level of the 2-HAD. Regarding the method, the genetic modification may include increasing the number of copies of a gene encoding the 2-HAD. Regarding the method, the gene encoding the 2-HAD may be an exogenous gene, and may be derived from the genus Bacillus, the genus Pseudomonas, the genus Azotobacter, the genus Agrobacterium, and the genus Escherichia. The gene encoding the 2-HAD may be derived from strains of B. cereus, B. thuringiensis, B. megaterium, or Pseudomonas saitens KCTC 13107BP. The 2-HAD may be classified as EC 3.8.1.2.

[0116] A method of reducing a concentration of fluorinated methane in a fluid is provided, wherein the method comprises, in the system or apparatus described herein, contacting a first fluid comprising a biological catalyst having 2-haloacid dehalogenase activity with a second fluid comprising fluorinated methane represented by CHnF4-n, wherein n is an integer of 0 to 3, to reduce the concentration of fluorinated methane in the second fluid. In the method, the biological catalyst may be a 2-haloacid dehalogenase enzyme or microorganism comprising a 2-haloacid dehalogenase enzyme. In the method, the microorganism may be Pseudomonas. In the method, the microorganism may be Pseudomonas saitens. In the method, the strain of Pseudomonas may be a strain of KCTC 13107BP strain of Pseudomonas saitens.

[0117] Hereinafter, the present inventive concept will be described in more detail with reference to Examples. However, these Examples are provided for illustrative purposes only, and the invention is not intended to be limited by these Examples.

Preparation Example 1: Selection of Pseudomonas saitens Strain Capable of Decomposing Tetrafluoromethane (CF.SUB.4.)

[0118] In the present Example, microorganisms capable of reducing a concentration of CF.sub.4 in semiconductor factory waste water were selected.

[0119] Sludge in the waste water discharged from a Samsung Electronics factory (at Giheung, Korea) was applied to an agar plate containing a medium containing no carbon (supplemented with 0.7 g/L of K.sub.2HPO.sub.4, 0.7 g/L of MgSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2O, 0.5 g/L of (NH.sub.4).sub.2SO.sub.4, 0.5 g/L of NaNO.sub.3, 0.005 g/L of NaCl, 0.002 g/L of FeSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2O, 0.002 g/L of ZnSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2O, 0.001 g/L of MnSO4, and 15 g/L of agar). The agar plate was placed in a GasPak Jar (BD Medical Technology), and the jar was filled with 99.9 v/v % CF.sub.4 and sealed. The cells were then cultured at a temperature of 30 C. under anaerobic conditions. Single colonies formed after culture were cultured using a high throughput screening (HTS) system (Thermo Scientific/Liconic/Perkin Elmer), and then, each of the single colonies was inoculated on a 97-well microplate containing 100 L/well of an LB medium. The colonies were then subjected to stationary culture at a temperature of 30 C. for 72 hours under aerobic conditions. Here, the absorbance of the colonies was measured at 600 nm every 12 hours so that the growth ability of the colonies could be observed. The LB medium used herein contains 10 g/L of tryptone, 5 g/L of yeast extract, and 10 g/L of NaCl.

[0120] The top 2% of strains showing excellent growth ability were selected, and each strain was inoculated into a 75 mL glass serum bottle containing 10 mL of an LB medium to have OD600 of 0.5. Then, the glass serum bottle was sealed, and CF.sub.4 was injected thereinto with a syringe so that 1,000 ppm of CF.sub.4 gas was in the glass serum bottle. The glass serum bottle was incubated in a shaking incubator at a temperature of 30 C. for 4 days while being stirred at a speed of 230 rpm, and then the amount of CF.sub.4 in the headspace thereof was analyzed.

[0121] For analysis, 0.5 ml of CF.sub.4 was collected from the headspace using a syringe, and injected into a gas chromatography (GC) column (Agilent 7890, Palo Alto, Calif., USA). The injected CF.sub.4 was separated through a CP-PoraBOND Q column (25 m length, 0.32 mm i.d., 5 um film thickness, Agilent), and changes in the CF.sub.4 concentration were analyzed by MSD (Agilent 5973, Palo Alto, Calif., USA). As a carrier gas, helium was used, and applied to the column at a flow rate of 1.5 ml/min. GC conditions were as follows: an inlet temperature was 250 C., and an initial temperature was maintained at 40 C. for 2 minutes and then raised to 290 C. at a rate of 20 C./min. MS conditions were as follows: ionization energy was 70 eV, an interface temperature was 280 C., an ion source temperature was 230 C., and a quadrupole temperature was 150 C. Unless otherwise mentioned, analysis of gas such as CHF.sub.3, CHCl.sub.3, and CF.sub.4 was performed by using the above method. As a control group, 1000 ppm of CF.sub.4 was incubated without cells under the same conditions as described above, and then measured.

[0122] As a result, it was confirmed that the CF.sub.4 concentration was reduced by 10.4% in the selected microorganism relative to the control group having no cells. The selected microorganism had decomposition activity of 0.005 umol/g-cell/min. To identify the selected strain, a 16s rRNA gene (SEQ ID NO: 3) was amplified using the genome of the separated cell as a template. Here, the nucleotide sequences of the 16s rRNA gene were analyzed by BLAST Assembled Genomes.

[0123] A final size of assembled genomes was 5.1 Mb, and a GC content thereof was 59.14%. As a result of automated annotation using the Prokaryotic Genome Annotation Pipeline, a total of 328 genes, 25 rRNA operons, 73 tRNAs, and 1 tmRNA were found to be present. As a result of analyzing a phylogenetic tree, it was confirmed that the separated microorganism belongs to genus Pseudomonas. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the phylogenetic tree of the separated microorganism. However, the selected microorganism included no sequence having an exact sequence match with that of any previously known species belonging to the genus Pseudomonas.

[0124] The selected microorganism was newly designated as a strain of Pseudomonas saitens (hereinafter, referred to as SF1), and was deposited with and accepted by the Korea Collection for Type Culture (KCTC) on Sep. 12, 2016, under the Access number of KCTC13107BP.

Preparation Example 2: Preparation of Microorganism into which Gene Facilitating Decomposition of CF.SUB.4 .is Introduced

[0125] 1. Amplification of an HAD gene derived from Bacillus cereus (hereinafter, referred to as BC HAD), and introduction of the gene to Escherichia coli (E. coli). B. cereus (KCTC 3624) was cultured overnight in an LB medium at a temperature of 30 C. while being stirred at 230 rpm, and then, the genomic DNA was isolated therefrom using a total DNA extraction kit (Invitrogen Biotechnology). Then, PCR was performed using the isolated genomic DNA as a template and a set of primers having nucleotide sequences listed in Table 1, to amplify and obtain a BC3334 gene. A pET-BC HAD vector was prepared by using an InFusion Cloning Kit (Clontech Laboratories, Inc.), wherein the BC HAD gene which was amplified by PCR was ligated with pETDuet-1 (Novagen, Cat. No. 71146-3) which had been digested with restriction enzymes NcoI and HindIII. FIG. 15 shows a vector map of the pET-BC HAD vector. The BC3334 gene had an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2.

[0126] Next, pET-BC3334, which is the pET-BC HAD vector, was introduced into an E. coli BL21 strain by a heat shock method, and then the microorganism was cultured on an LB plate containing ampicillin (100 g/mL). A strain showing ampicillin resistance was selected. The finally selected strain was then designated as a recombinant E. coli BL21/pET-BC3334.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 BC HAD gene Primer sequence (SEQ ID NO.) BC3334 Forward: SEQ ID NO: 4 Reverse: SEQ ID NO: 5

Example 1: Straight Glass Tube Cooler Tilted at an Angle of 40 and SF1 Strain

[0127] As shown in FIG. 12, 60 ml of an LB medium and 1,000 ppm of CF.sub.4 gas were injected into a straight glass tube cooler (length of reactor: 500 mm, volume of inner tube: 300 mL, diameter of inner tube: 35 mm, and diameter of outer tube: 60 mm) that was sterilized at a high temperature and tilted by at an angle of 40 with respect to a vertical direction, and then, the LB medium was circulated. The LB medium was supplied into an inlet at an upper portion of the straight glass tube cooler, flowed along an inner wall of the straight glass tube cooler, and then, discharged through an outlet at a bottom portion of the straight glass tube cooler. The discharged LB medium was re-supplied back into the inlet along a circulation line. Although not shown in FIG. 12, an outer jacket of the straight glass tube cooler was connected to a constant temperature zone for temperature maintenance. The circulation rate of the LB medium was 4 mL/min, and the temperature inside the straight glass tube cooler was maintained at 30. After 48 hours, the amount of CF.sub.4 gas in the straight glass tube cooler was confirmed by gas chromatography mass-spectrometry (GC-MS). No change in the amount of CF.sub.4 gas was observed.

[0128] Next, the strain of Pseudomonas saitens selected according to Preparation Example 1 was inoculated with a syringe into the LB medium in the straight glass tube cooler. The initial concentration of the inoculated strain in the LB medium was 0.5 at OD of 600 nm. Then, the LB medium to which the strain was inoculated was circulated. The circulation rate of the LB culture medium was 4 mL/min, and the temperature inside the straight glass tube cooler was maintained at 30. After 66 hours, the amount of CF.sub.4 gas in the straight glass tube cooler was confirmed by GC-MS. Here, the decomposition rate of CF.sub.4 was calculated according to Equation 1, and results thereof are shown in Table 2.

Decomposition rate of CF.sub.4=[(initial amount of CF.sub.4amount of CF.sub.4 after 66 hours)/initial amount of CF.sub.4]100<Equation 1>

Example 2: Vertical Glass Dimroth Screwed Reflux Condenser and SF1 Strain

[0129] In the same manner as in Example 1, except that a vertical glass Dimroth screwed reflux condenser (length of reactor: 350 mm, diameter of outer tube: 35 mm, and volume of inner tube: 200 mL) shown in FIG. 13 sterilized at a high temperature was used instead of the straight glass tube cooler, and 40 ml of the LB medium and 1,000 ppm of CF.sub.4 gas were injected into the vertical glass Dimroth screwed reflux condenser.

[0130] After 66 hours, the amount of CF.sub.4 gas in the vertical glass Dimroth screwed reflux condenser was confirmed by GC-MS. Here, the decomposition rate of CF.sub.4 was calculated according to Equation 1, and results thereof are shown in Table 2.

Example 3: Vertical-Straight Filled Glass Tube Cooler and SF1 Strain

[0131] In the same manner as in Example 1, except that, as shown in FIG. 14, 30 porous filling materials (10 mm10 mm10 mm) formed of polypropylene were added to the straight glass tube cooler, and 60 ml of the LB medium and 1,000 ppm of CF.sub.4 gas were injected into the straight glass tube cooler filled with fillers.

[0132] After 66 hours, the amount of CF.sub.4 gas in the straight glass tube cooler filled with fillers was confirmed by GC-MS. Here, the decomposition rate of CF.sub.4 was calculated according to Equation 1, and results thereof are shown in Table 2.

Comparative Example 1: Glass Serum Bottle and SF1 Strain

[0133] 10 mL of the LB medium to which the strain of Example 1 was inoculated and 1,000 ppm of CF.sub.4 gas were added to a 75 ml glass serum bottle. After maintaining the glass serum bottle for 96 hours in a shaking incubator at a speed of 230 rpm and at a temperature of 30 C., the amount of CF.sub.4 gas in the glass serum bottle was confirmed by GC-MS. Here, the decomposition rate of CF.sub.4 was calculated according to Equation 1, and results thereof are shown in Table 2. The initial concentration of the inoculated strain in the LB medium was 0.5 at OD of 600 nm.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Residence time Decomposition rate of CF.sub.4 [hr] [%] Example 1 66 21.8 Example 2 66 34.7 Example 3 66 36.8 Comparative Example 1 96 10.5

[0134] As shown in Table 2, it was confirmed that the decomposition rate of CF.sub.4 was significantly improved in the fluorinated gas decomposition devices of Examples 1 to 3 in which the strain-inoculated LB medium was circulated, relative to the fluorinated gas decomposition device of Comparative Example 1 in which the strain-inoculated LB medium was simply stirred. Such improved decomposition rates of CF.sub.4 may result from an increased time and/or area of contact of the CF.sub.4 gas with the strain-inoculated LB medium, as the strain-inoculated LB medium existed in the form of a thin film on the inner wall of the cooler, on the surface of the screw tube, or on the surface of the porous filler.

Example 4: Straight Glass Tube Cooler Tilted at an Angle of 40 and E. coli Including BC3334 Introduced Thereto

[0135] As shown in FIG. 12, 60 ml of an LB medium and 1,000 ppm of CF.sub.4 gas were injected into a straight glass tube cooler (length of reactor: 500 mm, volume of inner tube: 300 mL, diameter of inner tube: 35 mm, and diameter of outer tube: 60 mm) that was sterilized at a high temperature and tilted by at an angle of 40 with respect to a vertical direction (50 from the plane of the Earth's surface), and then, the LB medium was circulated. The LB medium was supplied into an inlet at an upper portion of the straight glass tube cooler, flowed along an inner wall of the straight glass tube cooler, and then, discharged through an outlet at a bottom portion of the straight glass tube cooler. The discharged LB medium was re-supplied back into the inlet along a circulation line. Although not shown in FIG. 12, an outer jacket of the straight glass tube cooler was connected to a constant temperature zone for temperature maintenance. The circulation rate of the LB medium was 4 mL/min, and the temperature inside the straight glass tube cooler was maintained at 30. After 48 hours, the amount of CF.sub.4 gas in the straight glass tube cooler was confirmed by GC-MS. As a result, no change in the amount of CF.sub.4 gas was observed.

[0136] Next, the strain of E. coli in which 2-HAD BC3334 gene was introduced in Preparation Example 2 was inoculated with a syringe into the LB medium in the straight glass tube cooler. The initial concentration of the inoculated strain in the LB medium was 0.5 OD at 600 nm. Then, the LB medium to which the strain was inoculated was circulated. The circulation rate of the LB culture medium was 4 mL/min, and the temperature inside the straight glass tube cooler was maintained at 30. After 66 hours, the amount of CF.sub.4 gas in the straight glass tube cooler was confirmed by GC-MS. Here, the decomposition rate of CF.sub.4 was calculated according to Equation 1, and results thereof are shown in Table 3.

Example 5: Vertical Glass Dimroth Screwed Reflux Condenser and E. coli to Including BC3334 Introduced Thereto

[0137] In the same manner as in Example 1, except that a vertical glass Dimroth screwed reflux condenser (length of reactor: 350 mm, diameter of outer tube: 35 mm, and volume of inner tube: 200 mL) shown in FIG. 13 sterilized at a high temperature was used instead of the straight glass tube cooler, and 40 ml of the LB medium and 1,000 ppm of CF.sub.4 gas were injected into the vertical glass Dimroth screwed reflux condenser.

[0138] After 66 hours, the amount of CF.sub.4 gas in the vertical glass Dimroth screwed reflux condenser was confirmed by GC-MS. Here, the decomposition rate of CF.sub.4 was calculated according to Equation 1, and results thereof are shown in Table 3.

Example 6: Vertical-Straight Filled Glass Tube Cooler and E. coli to Including BC3334 Introduced Thereto

[0139] In the same manner as in Example 1, except that, as shown in FIG. 14, 30 porous filling materials (10 mm10 mm10 mm) formed of polypropylene substances were added to the straight glass tube cooler, and 60 ml of the LB medium and 1,000 ppm of CF.sub.4 gas were injected into the straight glass tube cooler filled with fillers.

[0140] After 66 hours, the amount of CF.sub.4 gas in the straight glass tube cooler filled with fillers was confirmed by GC-MS. Here, the decomposition rate of CF.sub.4 was calculated according to Equation 1, and results thereof are shown in Table 3.

Comparative Example 2: Glass Serum Bottle and E. coli to Including BC3334 Introduced Thereto

[0141] 10 mL of the LB medium to which the strain of Example 1 was inoculated and 1,000 ppm of CF.sub.4 gas were added to a 75 ml glass serum bottle. After maintaining the glass serum bottle for 96 hours in a shaking incubator at a speed of 230 rpm and at a temperature of 30 C., the amount of CF.sub.4 gas in the glass serum bottle was confirmed by GC-MS. Here, the decomposition rate of CF.sub.4 was calculated according to Equation 1, and results thereof are shown in Table 1. The initial concentration of the inoculated strain in the LB medium was 0.5 at OD of 600 nm.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Residence time Decomposition rate of CF.sub.4 [hr] [%] Example 4 66 18.9 Example 5 66 30.4 Example 6 66 29.8 Comparative Example 2 96 5.67

[0142] As shown in Table 3, it was confirmed that the decomposition rate of CF.sub.4 was significantly improved in a shorter time in the fluorinated gas decomposition devices of Examples 4 to 6 in which the strain-inoculated LB medium was circulated, relative to the fluorinated gas decomposition device of Comparative Example 2 in which the strain-inoculated LB medium was simply stirred. Such improved decomposition rates of CF.sub.4 may result from an increased time and/or area of contact of the CF.sub.4 gas with the strain-inoculated LB medium, as the strain-inoculated LB medium existed in the form of a medium thin film on the inner wall of the cooler, on the surface of the screw tube, or on the surface of the porous filler.

[0143] As described above, the circulation of at least one of a biological catalyst and a fluorine-containing compound in an exhaust gas decomposition apparatus or system may lead to improvement of a decomposition rate of the fluorine-containing compound.

[0144] All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

[0145] The use of the terms a and an and the and at least one and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of the term at least one followed by a list of one or more items (for example, at least one of A and B) is to be construed to mean one item selected from the listed items (A or B) or any combination of two or more of the listed items (A and B), unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms comprising, having, including, and containing are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning including, but not limited to,) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., such as) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

[0146] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.