Upflow bioreactor with septum and pressure release mechanism

An upflow bioreactor comprising:

• a vessel having an inlet and an outlet;
• a septum positioned within the vessel and defining a lower chamber and an upper chamber, the septum having an aperture that provides fluid communication between the lower chamber and the upper chamber;
• a biomass within the lower chamber, the biomass comprising anaerobic bacteria;
• an auger extending through the aperture;
• and
• at least one flexible member covering a portion of the aperture surrounding the auger.

An upflow bioreactor comprising:

• a vessel having an inlet and an outlet;
• positioned within the vessel and defining a lower chamber and an upper chamber, the septum having an aperture that provides fluid communication between the upper chamber and lower chamber;
• a biomass within the lower chamber, the biomass comprising anaerobic bacteria;
• and
• means for releasing pressure in the lower chamber, wherein the means for releasing pressure in the lower chamber is selectively activated by pressure buildup within the lower chamber, wherein the means for releasing pressure in the lower chamber comprises a releasable portion of the septum having an open position and a closed position, in which the releasable portion of the septum is configured to move to the open position in response to pressure buildup in the lower chamber and the open position increases the fluid communication between the lower chamber and the upper chamber.

An upflow bioreactor comprising:

• a vessel having an inlet and an outlet;
• a septum positioned within the vessel and defining a lower chamber and an upper chamber, the septum having an aperture that provides fluid communication between the upper chamber and lower chamber;
• a biomass within the lower chamber, the biomass comprising anaerobic bacteria;
• means for releasing pressure in the lower chamber, wherein the means for releasing pressure in the lower chamber is selectively activated by pressure buildup within the lower chamber, wherein the means for releasing pressure in the lower chamber comprises a tube in fluid communication with the lower chamber and having an outlet outside the lower chamber;
• a sensor that is activated by fluid moving out of the tube due to pressure within the lower chamber;
• and
• circuitry that reduces a loading rate of the vessel upon detecting excess pressure within the lower chamber.