Abstract: Bioreactors for production and recovery of medium chain carboxylates from organic biomass are disclosed. Methods for improved production and recovery of medium chain carboxylates from organic biomass are also disclosed. The bioreactors can be used as a chain-elongation bioreactor, and a method of use thereof results in improved production and recovery of medium chain carboxylates from organic biomass. The bioreactor includes a shell defined by one or more walls and a length, and a plurality of porous hollow fiber membranes placed inside the reactor for continuous liquid-liquid extraction, as well as granular activated carbon (GAC) as biocarriers. The plurality of hollow fiber membranes is mounted such that a percentage of the length of the shell remains unoccupied by the plurality of porous hollow fiber membranes.

Abstract: An anaerobic electrochemical membrane bioreactor (AnEMBR) can include a vessel into which wastewater can be introduced, an anode electrode in the vessel suitable for supporting electrochemically active microorganisms (EAB, also can be referred to as anode reducing bacteria, exoelectrogens, or electricigens) that oxidize organic compounds in the wastewater, and a cathode membrane electrode in the vessel, which is configured to pass a treated liquid through the membrane while retaining the electrochemically active microorganisms and the hydrogenotrophic methanogens (for example, the key functional microbial communities, including EAB, methanogens and possible synergistic fermenters) in the vessel. The cathode membrane electrode can be suitable for catalyzing the hydrogen evolution reaction to generate hydrogen.

Abstract: An anaerobic electrochemical membrane bioreactor (AnEMBR) can include a vessel into which wastewater can be introduced, an anode electrode in the vessel suitable for supporting electrochemically active microorganisms (EAB, also can be referred to as anode reducing bacteria, exoelectrogens, or electricigens) that oxidize organic compounds in the wastewater, and a cathode membrane electrode in the vessel, which is configured to pass a treated liquid through the membrane while retaining the electrochemically active microorganisms and the hydrogenotrophic methanogens (for example, the key functional microbial communities, including EAB, methanogens and possible synergistic fermenters) in the vessel. The cathode membrane electrode can be suitable for catalyzing the hydrogen evolution reaction to generate hydro en.