System and method for selecting and intensifying fermentation in bioreactors
AssigneesSuez International, NEWhub Holding Company
InventorsMathieu HADDAD, Sudhir MURTHY, Nicolas GIRALDO-WINGLER, Eugenio GIRALDO
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Abstract
Systems and methods for enhancing volatile fatty acid, ammonia or dihydrogen production in fermenting bioreactors are presented. Energy efficient evaporation methods and systems are disclosed. Integration of bioreactor and energy efficient evaporation enable use in existing bioreactors. Methods for further recovering fermentation products in bioreactors used for wastewater applications are also disclosed.
Claims17
A method for treating a feed containing carbonaceous material in a bioreactor, the method comprising:
- a) hydrolyzing the feed in the bioreactor using microorganisms and enzymes,
- b) removing a portion of contents of the bioreactor, said removed portion containing microorganisms, enzymes and hydrolysis products, the hydrolysis products containing volatile inhibitory compounds,
- c) evaporating a part of said removed portion and forming an evaporate containing at least a part of the volatile inhibitory compounds initially contained in said removed portion, and a concentrate containing at least the microorganisms initially contained in said removed portion,
- d) returning at least a fraction of said concentrate to the bioreactor, and
- e) collecting said evaporate.
A system for treating a feed containing carbonaceous material in a bioreactor, the system comprising:
- the bioreactor, a feed supply to the bioreactor, an evaporator, and pipes, valves, and pumps to fluidly connect the above-mentioned parts of the system, wherein said bioreactor is fluidly connected to an inlet of the evaporator, and wherein said evaporator comprising a first outlet for a concentrate and a second outlet for an evaporate, the first outlet being fluidly connected to said bioreactor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.