Horizontal fermenter
OwnerRobert A. Clydeinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A horizontal fermenter which allows the uninhibited growth of an organism is disclosed. The fermenter is particularly useful for producing alcohols such as ethanol from sugars such as glucose, and comprises a container for holding a selected nutrient solution. A fiber or wood substrate is included for supporting a selected organism such as Zymomonas. Also included is means for physically detaching or dislodging the organisms from the substrate.
Claims16
A fermenter for allowing the uninhibited growth of an organism suitable for converting a selected nutrient medium into a selected chemical comprising:
- a nutrient medium;
- a container for containing said nutrient medium, said container including a port for receiving said nutrient medium, exhaust ports for discharging a flow of excess organisms, and CO.sub.2, and a port for removing said selected chemical;
- a support substrate, said substrate comprising a multiplicity of fibers for supporting and having attached thereto said selected organisms;
- means for supporting said substrate within said container;
- and
- means for physically detaching said organisms from said support substrate.
A fermenter for allowing the uninhibited growth of selected organisms suitable for converting a selected nutrient medium into a selected chemical comprising:
- a nutrient medium;
- a container for containing said nutrient medium, said container including a port for receiving said nutrient medium, exhaust ports for dislodging the flow of excess organisms and CO.sub.2, and a port for removal of said selected chemical;
- a support substrate, said substrate comprising a multiplicity of wooden panels for supporting and having attached thereto said selected organism, each panel defining a multiplicity of holes therethrough;
- means for supporting said wooden panel;
- and
- a multiplicity of wires suspending through said holes in said wooden panels such that said wires can be moved into contact with the portion of said wood defining said holes such that said excess organisms can be scrapped off said wooden panels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.