Systems and Methods of Improved Fermentation
AssigneeColorado Energy Research Technologies, LLC
InventorsWayne J. Powell, Robert D. Boehmer, Lee L. Johnson
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Abstract
Devices, systems and methods for processing cellulosic material to produce fermentable sugars are provided. Devices, systems and methods for increasing fermentation rates of microbes via biostimulation are provided. Electrodes are preferably positioned along an interior or exterior of a tube-shaped component to administer electromagnetic/electric pulses to a solution comprising a microbe. Systems can advantageously be used in new biofuels production plants, or in existing biofuels production plants without the need for significant retrofits.
Claims12
A flow tube reactor system for increasing a rate of fermentation of a liquid within a fermentation vat, comprising:
- a reactor tube having a lumen and a length of at least 0.1 meter that is at least one of (a) submerged in a liquid of the fermentation vat, and (b) suspended in the fermentation vat;
- and
- a pulse driving circuitry that provides electrical pulses at a pulse length and duty cycle effective to increase a fermentation rate of a microorganism to an interior of the lumen via a plurality of electrode pairs disposed along the length of the reactor tube, and wherein the plurality of electrode pairs have an uneven spacing.
A flow tube reactor system for increasing a rate of fermentation of a liquid within a fermentation vat, comprising:
- a reactor tube having a lumen and a length of at least 0.1 meter, wherein the reactor tube is at least one of (a) submerged in a liquid of the fermentation vat, and (b) suspended in the fermentation vat;
- and
- a pulse driving circuitry that provides electrical pulses at a pulse length and duty cycle effective to increase a fermentation rate of a microorganism to an interior of the lumen via first and second electrode pairs, wherein a length of the first electrode pair is different from a length of the second electrode pair.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.