Methods of feedstock conversion using a biofilm bioreactor
AssigneeThe Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsSarah Glaven, Elizabeth Onderko, Andrew Maygar, Matthew Yates
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Abstract
Described herein are biofilm bioreactors for synthesis at the interface between two liquids, and methods of using such bioreactors for the biotransformation of feedstocks into chemical products. Also contemplated is the extraction of such products.
Claims13
A method of converting a hydrophobic feedstock into aqueous phase product, the method comprising:
- providing a bioreactor comprising a living microorganism capable of producing a water-soluble product;
- circulating nutritive media through the bioreactor to establish a biofilm of the microorganism;
- introducing both an aqueous solution and a hydrophobic feedstock into the bioreactor, wherein the aqueous solution provides supplemental nutrients to the microorganism, and wherein the feedstock is provided in the form of particles serving as substrates for growth of the microorganism;
- allowing the microorganism to convert the hydrophobic feedstock into the product;
- and then
- recovering the product from the aqueous solution.
A method of converting a hydrophobic feedstock into aqueous phase product, the method comprising:
- providing a bioreactor comprising a living microorganism capable of producing a water-soluble product;
- circulating nutritive media through the bioreactor to establish a biofilm of the microorganism;
- introducing both an aqueous solution and a hydrophobic feedstock into the bioreactor, wherein the aqueous solution provides supplemental nutrients to the microorganism;
- allowing the microorganism to convert the hydrophobic feedstock into the product;
- and then
- recovering the product from the aqueous solution through a phase separator.
A method of converting a hydrophobic feedstock into aqueous phase product, the method comprising:
- providing a bioreactor comprising a living microorganism capable of producing a water-soluble product, wherein the microorganism is provided in the form of a solid support coated in a lyophilized biofilm of the microorganism;
- circulating nutritive media through the bioreactor to establish a biofilm of the microorganism;
- introducing both an aqueous solution and a hydrophobic feedstock into the bioreactor, wherein the aqueous solution provides supplemental nutrients to the microorganism;
- allowing the microorganism to convert the hydrophobic feedstock into the product;
- and then
- recovering the product from the aqueous solution.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.