Biolfilm bioreactor including thermal management and substance delivery elements, related apparatus, and related methods

A bioreactor insert apparatus for reaction medium circulation, biofilm support, and biological treatment, the apparatus comprising:

• an inlet volume in fluid communication with a first fluid inlet;
• at least one exit volume, each exit volume being in fluid communication with the inlet volume and comprising at least one exit biofilm support disposed at a boundary between the exit volume and an external volume outside the bioreactor insert apparatus, wherein:
• the exit biofilm support is adapted to promote growth, attachment, and metabolism of microorganisms in the form of a biofilm thereon, and the exit biofilm support is adapted to permit fluid and solid transport across the exit biofilm support and between the exit volume and the external volume;
• and
• at least one exit conduit mounted adjacent to the exit biofilm support, wherein:
• each exit conduit comprises a thermal fluid inlet, a thermal fluid outlet, and an interior volume adapted to receive and permit flow of a thermal fluid from the thermal fluid inlet to the thermal fluid outlet via the interior volume;
• the exit conduit interior volume is substantially liquidly isolated from the first fluid inlet, the inlet volume, the exit volume, and the external volume;
• and
• the exit conduit is adapted to provide heat transfer between a thermal fluid in the exit conduit and the exit biofilm support, thereby controlling a temperature of the exit biofilm support.