Bioreactor

About: Bioreactor is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 9980 publications have been published within this topic receiving 192690 citations. The topic is also known as: bioreactors.

Anaerobic sequencing batch reactor treatment of dilute wastewater at psychrophilic temperatures

Abstract: Anaerobic treatment of dilute wastewater was studied using three laboratory-scale anaerobic sequencing batch reactors (ASBRs), each with an active volume of 6 L. The reactors were fed a synthetic substrate made from nonfat dry milk supplemented with nutrients and trace metals. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) and 5-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD 5 ) of the feed were 600 mg/L and 285 mg/L, respectively. Steady-state performance data were collected over a time period of 2 years at reactor temperatures of 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, 20, and 25°C. Hydraulic retention times (HRTs) were maintained at 24, 16, 12, 8, and 6 hours. Steady-state process kinetics and removal efficiencies were evaluated for the various conditions. Results showed that the ASBR process was capable of achieving more than 90% soluble COD (SCOD) and BOD 5 removal at temperatures of 20°C and 25°C at all HRTs. At a temperature of 5°C and a 6-hour HRT, SCOD and BOD 5 removals were 62% and 75%, respectively. At intermediate temperatures ranging from 5 to 25°C and HRTs between 24 and 6 hours, removal of soluble organic matter ranged from 62 to 90% for COD and from 75 to 90% for BOD 5 . In all cases, solids retention times were high enough to maintain good performance. Substrate removal rates and half-saturation coefficients were also determined at all temperatures. The temperature correction coefficient was determined to be 1.08 in the temperature range of 7.5 to 25°C. It is concluded that the ASBR has unique characteristics that enable efficient removal of organics during treatment of dilute wastewaters at low temperatures.

Solid state fermentation

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved solid state fermentation device that combines all of the operations of microorganism cultivation (sterilization, inoculation, cultivation, extraction, and post extraction treatment). This solid state fermentation device is modular in nature and operates in a contained manner so that the live microorganisms from the reactor cannot come into contact with the environment and pollute the environment and also so that the environment inside the bioreactor is aseptic. Another aspect of this invention allows fermentation of microorganisms without inhibiting the growth of the microorganism. Specifically, the bioreactor is designed to remove heat that accumulates inside the bioreactor during fermentation by conduction. Additionally, there is a mechanism to add fluid to the interior of the bioreactor that permits equal distribution and precise control of a variety of environmental parameters. For example, the bioreactor of the present invention provides a means to add nutritive media to the microorganisms at any time during the fermentation process without disturbing the fermenting microorganisms. Furthermore, the bioreactor of the present invention provides a mechanism to mix the contents of the bioreactor at any time and for any duration during the fermentation process. Finally, the present bioreactor provides a means of extracting desired microbial products from the bioreactor without opening the bioreactor.

Apparatus for mass transfer involving biological/pharmaceutical media

Abstract: A mass transfer apparatus and method is based upon use of a mass transfer chamber, such as a hollow fiber membrane bioreactor, with means to change the directional flow therethrough for enhancement of the mass transfer operation. The invention has particular utility in cell growth systems, where the periodic reversal of flow direction of a nutrient stream passed through the bioreactor equalizes dispersion of cell growth through the bioreactor and enhances the transport of metabolic waste from the cells being grown.