Automated biological growth and dispensing apparatus

An apparatus for growing bacteria comprising:

• a. a base assembly, and
• b. a removable modular tank unit;
• the tank unit coupling to and removable from the base apparatus as for replacement by a similar modular unit,
• the tank unit comprising a modular bio-generation tank, an agitation motor and an impeller,
• the tank having a top, a bottom, a side wall extending upwardly from the bottom, and a tank outlet for flow of fluid from the tank at a height above the bottom,
• the tank outlet comprising an overflow outlet for flow of fluid from the tank under gravity when fluid in the tank is at a height above a height of the overflow outlet,
• the top of the tank is open upwardly providing a tank inlet opening, the agitation motor coupled to the bottom of the tank,
• the motor coupled to the impeller in the tank through the bottom of the tank to rotate the impeller in the tank,
• the impeller disposed in the tank for rotation about the axis directing fluid impinging on the impeller radially outwardly into the side wall and up the side wall thereby creating a standing vortex,
• the base assembly comprising a delivery manifold, a water delivery system, an air delivery system, a nutrient delivery system, a power source for the motor and a controller,
• the delivery manifold removably coupled to and uncoupled from the tank unit via an upper quick connect and disconnect arrangement engaging the top of the tank such that when coupled to the tank unit the manifold comprises a top lid covering the tank inlet opening,
• the manifold carrying a water inlet for delivery of water into the tank when the manifold is coupled to the tank unit, an air inlet for delivery of air into the tank when the manifold is coupled to the tank unit, and a nutrient inlet for delivery of nutrients into the tank when the manifold is coupled to the tank unit;
• the water delivery system delivering water to the water inlet,
• the air delivery system delivering air to the air inlet,
• the nutrient delivery system delivering nutrients to the nutrient inlet,
• the power source removably coupled to and uncoupled from to tank unit via a lower quick connect and disconnect arrangement for coupling to and uncoupling from the tank unit by engaging the motor at the bottom of the tank such that when coupled to the tank unit the power source provides power to the motor to rotate the impeller,
• wherein the impeller is rotatable about the axis to create the standing vortex of fluid in the tank to raise the fluid in the tank up the side wall to heights within the tank which increase with increased speed of rotation of the impeller and the impeller is rotatable at speeds which raise the fluid in the tank up the side wall in the tank to heights above the tank outlet for discharge of fluid from the tank via the tank outlet,
• the controller controlling operation of the motor to mix fluid in the tank by rotating the impeller at speeds which do not raise the fluid in the tank to the height of the tank outlet, and to discharge fluid from the tank by rotating the impeller at speeds which raise the fluid in the tank to heights above the tank outlet.