Bio-electrochemical systems

• US 9,963,790 B2
• Filed: 10/19/2011
• Issued: 05/08/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cambrian Innovation Inc .
• Original Assignee: Cambrian Innovation Inc .
• Inventors: Silver, Matthew, Buck, Justin, Kiely, Patrick, Guzman, Juan J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thomas, Ciel P
• Application Number:
  US13/880,401
• Publication Number:
  US 20140069806A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,393 Days
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/4693 electrodialysis
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2103/002 Grey water, e.g. from clothes washers, showers or dishwashers
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2103/005 Black water originating from toilets
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/46115 Electrolytic cell with membranes or diaphragms
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/46125 Electrical variables
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/46145 Fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/46165 Special power supply, e.g. solar energy or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2203/008 Mobile apparatus and plants, e.g. mounted on a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/001 Upstream control, i.e. monitoring for predictive control
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/003 Downstream control, i.e. outlet monitoring, e.g. to check the treating agents, such as halogens or ozone, leaving the process
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/006 comprising a software program or a logic diagram
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/03 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/38 Gas flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/40 Liquid flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/42 Liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 3/005 Combined electrochemical biological processes aeration by electrolytically produced oxygen bubbles C02F3/202
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 3/006 Regulation methods for biological treatment
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 3/301 Aerobic and anaerobic treatment in the same reactor
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 3/34 characterised by the microorganisms used
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 1/00 Electrolytic production of inorganic compounds or non-metals
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 1/02 : Hydrogen or oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 3/00 : Electrolytic production of organic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/16 : Biochemical fuel cells, i.e. cells in which microorganisms function as catalysts
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/30 : Fuel from waste, e.g. synthetic alcohol or diesel
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 : Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/37 : using solar energy

Abstract

The present invention provides bio-electrochemical systems having various configurations for the treatment of water, wastewater, gases, and other biodegradable matter. In one aspect, the invention provides bio-electrochemical systems configured for treating wastewater while generating multiple outputs. In another aspect, the invention provides bio-electrochemical systems configured for improving the efficiency of electrodialysis removal systems. In yet another aspect, the invention provides bio-electro-chemical systems configured for use in banks and basins.

Claims

1. A bio-electrochemical system comprising:

an aqueous chamber comprising a first anode and a first cathode and configured to dispose at least one electrogenic microbe;

a gaseous chamber comprising a second cathode; and

a hydrophobic barrier or a selectively permeable barrier separating the gaseous chamber from the aqueous chamber.

2. The bio-electrochemical system of claim 1, capable of producing water, hydrogen, methane, and electricity.

3. The bio-electrochemical system of claim 2, wherein the hydrogen is produced via an anaerobic reaction in the presence of an applied voltage.

4. The bio-electrochemical system of claim 2, wherein the methane is produced via the reduction of CO₂ in the presence of an applied voltage.

5. The bio-electrochemical system of claim 1, wherein the first anode and the first and second cathodes are electrically connected.

6. The bio-electrochemical system of claim 1, further comprising a second anode.

7. The bio-electrochemical system of claim 1, wherein the first anode is configured to receive the at least one electrogenic microbe.

8. The bio-electrochemical system of claim 1, wherein the first cathode is configured to receive the at least one electrogenic microbe.

9. The bio-electrochemical system of claim 1, further comprising a voltage source configured to apply a voltage to the first cathode.

10. The bio-electrochemical system of claim 1, further comprising a voltage source configured to apply a voltage to the second cathode.

11. The bio-electrochemical system of claim 1, wherein the first anode and the first and second cathodes are configured to rotate.

12. The bio-electrochemical system of claim 1, wherein the gaseous chamber is adjacent to the aqueous chamber.

13. The bio-electrochemical system of claim 1, wherein the gaseous chamber is arranged sequentially from the aqueous chamber.

14. The bio-electrochemical system of claim 1, wherein the first cathode is configured to be fully immersed in an aqueous electrolyte.

15. The bio-electrochemical system of claim 14, wherein the second cathode is fully within the gaseous chamber.

16. A bio-electrochemical system comprising:

an aqueous chamber comprising a first and a second anode and at least one cathode, wherein the first anode is electrically coupled to the at least one cathode disposed in the aqueous chamber;

a gaseous chamber separated from the aqueous chamber by a hydrophobic barrier or a selectively permeable barrier and comprising at least one cathode,

wherein the second anode is electrically coupled to the at least one cathode disposed in the gaseous chamber; and

at least one electrogenic microbe disposed in the aqueous chamber.