Static solid state bioreactor and method for using same
AssigneeGeoSynFuels, LLC
InventorsJeffrey T. Harvey, Murray D. Bath, Glenn R. Sprenger, Edward Ogrodny
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A static solid state bioreactor and method of using same. The bioreactor comprises a vessel having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end having a sealable opening. A gas distribution system in communication with the upper end and the lower end of the vessel. A liquid distribution system in communication with the upper end of the vessel. A liquid recovery system in communication with the lower end of the vessel. A material removal system disposed at the lower end of the vessel for removing biomass from the vessel.
Claims49
A static solid state bioreactor, the bioreactor comprising:
- a vessel having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end having a sealable opening;
- a gas distribution system in communication with the upper end and the lower end of the vessel;
- a liquid distribution system in communication with the upper end of the vessel;
- a liquid recovery system in communication with the lower end of the vessel;
- and
- a material removal system disposed at the lower end of the vessel for removing biomass residue from the vessel.
A method of performing static solid state fermentation, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. mixing a bulking agent with a biomass to form a mixture;
- b. adding the mixture to a static solid state bioreactor;
- b. irrigating the mixture with an aqueous solution;
- c. flowing a gas through the mixture;
- and,
- d. maintaining a microorganism supporting environment within the mixture by calculating a specific heat of an aqueous solution flow, calculating a specific heat of a gas flow, and balancing the aqueous solution flow with the gas flow.
A non-stirred solid state bioreactor, comprising:
- a hollow body for stacking biomass therein, the stacked biomass being stored within the hollow body under conditions suitable for fermentation, the hollow body having a lower end and an upper end, the lower end being perforated to allow the a flow of gas and a liquid through the stacked biomass, the upper end having at least one sealable opening for the stacking of biomass within the hollow body;
- a passageway for removal of decomposed biomass material at the lower end of the hollow body;
- a material removal system operatively provided within the hollow body at the lower end, the material removal system configured to direct the flow of decomposed biomass material toward the passageway during unloading of the hollow body;
- a gas delivery system coupled to the upper end and the lower end of the hollow body and configured to flow gas through the stacked biomass from the lower end to the upper end and from the upper end to the lower end;
- an irrigation system disposed within the hollow body proximate to the upper end of the vessel and configured to irrigate the stacked biomass from above;
- and
- a system for collecting liquid effluent that drains from the stacked biomass operatively provided proximate to the perforated lower end.
A bioreactor for performing static solid state fermentation of biomass, the bioreactor comprising:
- a vessel having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end having a plurality of openings and a material removal port,
- a plurality of gas ports in communication with a gas distribution system and in communication with the plurality of openings in the lower end of the vessel;
- a plurality of liquid ports in communication with a liquid collection system and in communication with the plurality of openings in the lower end of the vessel;
- at least one screen disposed in the lower end of the vessel covering the plurality of openings.
A bioreactor for producing a gaseous fuel from a biomass material, the bioreactor comprising:
- a gas tight vessel having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end having a sealable opening;
- at least one fan;
- a duct, the duct disposed on the upper end of the vessel, the lower end of the vessel, and the at least one fan, wherein the vessel is in communication with the at least one fan through the duct;
- at least one valve, the at least one valve disposed along a length of the duct wherein the at least one valve can change a gas flow direction and cause the gas to flow in a direction from the lower end of the vessel to the upper end of the vessel and in a direction from the upper end of the vessel to the lower end of the vessel.
A bioreactor for producing a gaseous fuel from a biomass material, the bioreactor comprising:
- a plurality of gas tight vessels having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end having a sealable opening;
- a gas distribution system in communication with the upper end and the lower end of the plurality of vessels wherein a gas can be recycled from a first vessel of the plurality of vessels to a second vessel of the plurality of vessels.
A method of producing a gaseous fuel from a biomass material, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. preparing a first volume of biomass for reaction;
- b. flowing a gas from a second volume of reacting biomass through the first volume of biomass;
A bioreactor for producing a gaseous fuel from a biomass material, the bioreactor comprising:
- a gas tight volume having an upper end and a lower end;
- a mixture of biomass and bulking agent disposed within the gas tight volume;
- a gas distribution system in communication with the upper end and lower end of the gas tight volume;
- a liquid distribution system in communication with the upper end of the gas tight volume;
- a liquid recovery system in communication with the lower end of the gas tight volume,
- wherein a microorganism supporting environment is maintained by balancing a counter-current flow of gas through the mixture from the gas distribution system with a counter-current flow of fluid through the mixture from the liquid distribution system to the liquid recovery system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.