Patents Assigned to Innovative BioSystems, Inc.
  • Patent number: 5779996
    Abstract: Embodiments of a remediation reactor and mixer/contactor blade for the reactor are shown and described, the reactor being for containing a liquid slurry, suspension or settled bed of solid particles containing microorganisms. Inside the vessel is a supply conduit and at least one generally horizontal stirrer blade in fluid connection with the supply conduit. The stirrer blade is a mixer/contactor which has a leading side having openings through which fluid may pass. The stirrer blade rotates in the vessel, and this rotation is made easier by the hydraulic forces of fluid flowing out from the stirrer blade. The flowing fluid creates a fluidization zone in the slurry, suspension or settled bed at or near the leading edge of the stirrer blade. The fluidization zone is less dense than the rest of the sediment bed, and the stirrer blade tends to rotate into the fluidization zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Innovative BioSystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith Stormo
  • Patent number: 5744105
    Abstract: Embodiments of a slurry reactor and slurry mixer/contactor are shown and described. Each embodiment of the reactor includes a vessel for containing a liquid slurry or suspension of particles and microorganisms. In the inside of the vessel, generally along its centerline, is a vertical conduit extending from near the top to near the bottom. At the bottom of the vertical conduit is at least one generally horizontal, hollow, stirrer blade in fluid connection with the vertical conduit. The stirrer blade is a mixer/contactor which has openings near its leading edge so fluid may pass therethrough. The stirrer blade may rotate around the vertical conduit if the conduit is fixed, or the conduit, with the stirrer blade fixed to it, may rotate around in the vessel. In any event, the rotation of the stirrer blade is caused by the hydraulic forces of fluid flowing out from the stirrer blade. The flowing fluid creates a fluidization zone in the slurry sediment bed at the leading edge of the stirrer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Innovative BioSystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith Stormo
  • Patent number: 5616304
    Abstract: Embodiments of a slurry reactor and slurry mixer/contactor are shown and described. Each embodiment of the reactor includes a vessel for containing a liquid slurry or suspension of particles and microorganisms. In the inside of the vessel, generally along its centerline, is a vertical conduit extending from near the top to near the bottom. At the bottom of the vertical conduit is at least one generally horizontal, hollow, stirrer blade in fluid connection with the vertical conduit. The stirrer blade is a mixer/contactor which has openings near its leading edge so fluid may pass therethrough. The stirrer blade may rotate around the vertical conduit if the conduit is fixed, or the conduit, with the stirrer blade fixed to it, may rotate around in the vessel. In any event, the rotation of the stirrer blade is caused by the hydraulic forces of fluid flowing out from the stirrer blade. The flowing fluid creates a fluidization zone in the slurry sediment bed at the leading edge of the stirrer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Innovative BioSystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith E. Stormo