Automated biological growth and dispensing system
First Claim
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1. An automated batch apparatus for growing bacteria comprising:
- a modular bio-generation tank having a top, a bottom, a water inlet for entry of water into the tank, an air inlet for entry of air into the tank, a nutrient inlet for entry of nutrients into the tank, and a tank outlet for flow of fluid from the tank, an agitation mechanism for agitating fluid in the tank, an air delivery system for delivery of air via the air inlet into the tank into contact with fluid in the tank, a water delivery system for delivery of water via the water inlet into the tank, a nutrient delivery system for delivery of nutrient via the nutrient inlet into the tank, the tank being removable.
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Abstract
An automated biological growth and dispensing system utilizing a modular growing tank which is removable for replacement by another growing tank. Mechanisms for the delivery of air, water and/or nutrients are adapted to permit the growing tank to be readily coupled and uncoupled for easy and inexpensive replacement. Mechanisms for agitation may be integral and removable with the growing tank or may be adapted for a quick connection and disconnection with the growing tank. The growing tank may be disposable and each new growing tank may be provided as a sealed container including a starting amount of a biomass and/or nutrient.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. An automated batch apparatus for growing bacteria comprising:
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a modular bio-generation tank having a top, a bottom, a water inlet for entry of water into the tank, an air inlet for entry of air into the tank, a nutrient inlet for entry of nutrients into the tank, and a tank outlet for flow of fluid from the tank, an agitation mechanism for agitating fluid in the tank, an air delivery system for delivery of air via the air inlet into the tank into contact with fluid in the tank, a water delivery system for delivery of water via the water inlet into the tank, a nutrient delivery system for delivery of nutrient via the nutrient inlet into the tank, the tank being removable. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 28)
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26. A batch process useful for growing bacteria comprising repeating a batch cycle comprising the steps of:
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(i) introducing a batch starter population of bacteria and nutrients, and growing the bacteria in fluid from the batch starter population to a utility population within a predetermined interval and thereafter, (ii) repeating a sub-cycle of;
(a) dispensing a dispensed portion of bacteria while maintaining a remaining portion of bacteria, and (b) growing bacteria in the remaining portion to a utility population with the addition of additional fluid and/or nutrients to the tank, the process carried out in an apparatus comprising;
a modular bio-generation tank having a top, a bottom, a side wall extending upwardly from the base, and a tank outlet for flow of fluid from the tank at a height above the bottom, an agitation mechanism for agitating fluid in the tank comprising an impeller in the tank rotatable about an axis to discharge fluid impinging on the impeller so as to cause flow of the fluid in the tank which raises fluid in the tank to heights within the tank which increase with increased speed of rotation of the impeller, wherein during the sub-cycle step (b) of growing bacteria, agitating the fluid by rotating the impeller within a range of speeds which maintain the fluid in the tank at a height below a height of the tank outlet, and wherein in the sub-cycle step (a), dispensing fluid from the tank by rotating the impeller within a range of speeds which raise the fluid in the tank to a height above the height of the tank outlet.
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27. A batch process useful for growing bacteria comprising repeating a batch cycle comprising the steps of:
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(i) introducing a batch starter population of bacteria and nutrients, and growing the bacteria in fluid from the batch starter population to a utility population within a predetermined interval and thereafter, (ii) repeating a sub-cycle of;
(a) dispensing a dispensed portion of bacteria while maintaining a remaining portion of bacteria, and (b) growing bacteria in the remaining portion to a utility population with the addition of additional fluid and/or nutrients to the tank, the process carried out in an apparatus comprising;
a modular bio-generation tank having a top, a bottom, a side wall extending upwardly from the base, and a tank outlet for flow of fluid from the tank at a height above the bottom, an agitation mechanism for agitating fluid in the tank comprising;
an impeller which on rotation creates a standing vortex directing fluid radially outwardly into the side wall and up the side wall,wherein during the sub-cycle step (b) of growing bacteria, agitating the fluid by rotating the impeller within a range of speeds which maintain the fluid in the vortex with the tank at a height below a height of the tank outlet, and blowing air through an opening downwardly into the tank into contact with fluid in the standing vortex to provide oxygen from the air to the fluid.
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Specification