Abstract: Processes are provided for enhancing the productivity of fermenters during the metabolic conversion of methane-containing gases to products containing polyhydroxyalkanoate, which products can be used to make, for instance, animal feed or biodegradable, polymeric articles. The processes involve one or both of attenuating the heat generated to grow a population of microorganisms and removal of heat during the fermentation by removal of carbon dioxide.

Abstract: Processes are provided for enhancing the productivity of fermenters during the metabolic conversion of methane-containing gases to products containing polyhydroxyalkanoate, which products can be used to make, for instance, animal feed or biodegradable, polymeric articles. The processes involve one or both of attenuating the heat generated to grow a population of microorganisms and removal of heat during the fermentation by removal of carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A submerged membrane supported bioreactor for anaerobic conversion of gas into liquid products including a plurality of membrane modules having a plurality of hollow fibers, each of the plurality of hollow fibers having a gas permeable hollow fiber wall defining a hollow fiber lumen and an outer surface; a membrane tank for retaining the membrane modules at least partially submerged in a process liquid for formation of a biofilm on the outer surface of the hollow fiber wall by interaction of microorganisms with a process gas and for the production of a liquid product that mixes with the process liquid, wherein the membrane tank retains the membrane modules in a common horizontal plane; a seal between contents of the membrane tank and ambient atmosphere; and a gas supply conduit for communicating the process gas with the hollow fiber lumens of the hollow fibers.

Abstract: A submerged membrane supported bioreactor for anaerobic conversion of gas into liquid products including a plurality of membrane modules having a plurality of hollow fibers, each of the plurality of hollow fibers having a gas permeable hollow fiber wall defining a hollow fiber lumen and an outer surface; a membrane tank for retaining the membrane modules at least partially submerged in a process liquid for formation of a biofilm on the outer surface of the hollow fiber wall by interaction of microorganisms with a process gas and for the production of a liquid product that mixes with the process liquid, wherein the membrane tank retains the membrane modules in a common horizontal plane; a seal between contents of the membrane tank and ambient atmosphere; and a gas supply conduit for communicating the process gas with the hollow fiber lumens of the hollow fibers.

Abstract: An apparatus for simulating the operation of a full-scale belt filter press consists of a support base, a filter belt and a press belt each anchored at one end to the support base and passing over a static curved pressure face and a winch for exerting a pulling force on the press belt against the static curved press face to remove water from a sample of slurry on or within the belts. An improvement in the method of removing liquid from a slurry with a belt filter press also is disclosed which consists of pulling the pair of belts containing a slurry against a static curved pressure face to force liquid out of the slurry.

Abstract: In a method of monitoring and/or controlling a biologically catalyzed reaction, a trace gas which either is, or equilibrates with a metabolic intermediate is identified, and the concentration of the trace gas evolving from the reaction is measured. The measured concentration of trace gas is employed to evaluate the metabolic status of the reaction by a deterministic relationshhip, e.g. an empirical relationship or thermodynamic model. The deterministic relationship may involve other gaseous parameters of the reaction. Preferably, the measured concentration of the trace gas is converted via the deterministic relationship into an estimate of the concentration of a different chemical component of interest for a particular application of the reaction. Carbon monoxide has been found to be a suitable trace gas for purposes of monitoring the metabolic state of the anaerobic digestion process.

Abstract: A liquid flow distributor for dispersing wastewater or other liquid carrying stringy solids throughout a particulate media such as in a fluidized bed reactor. The distributor is adapted to allow unimpeded forward flow of the liquid into the media and it also functions to minimize backflow of the media into the distributor should forward flow be arrested. The distributor includes an array of like nozzles, each having an inlet port leading into a conical flow expansion section whose cone angle is such that the nozzle capable of flowing full without significance turbulence, the mouth of the flow expansion section merging with a cylindrical outlet section whose dimensions are such that any backflow which takes place when forward flow is arrested will normally be insufficient to lift the bed particles into the nozzle.

Abstract: A control system to prevent the accumulation of excessive cellular material in a fluidized-bed reactor wherein a waste liquid to be processed is conducted upwardly at a velocity conducive to fluidization through a bed of particles which function as a carrier for the growth of the material. The system includes a separator column whose low end section extends toward the fluidized bed and whose high end section extends above a head of liquid effluent which lies on the bed, or is sealed and located below the surface of liquid effluent, the diameter of the high end section being greater than that of the low end section. In the course of reactor operation, the cellular material on the particles continues to grow, causing the bed to expand until its level reaches a point indicative of excessive growth.

Abstract: A control system to prevent the accumulation of excessive cellular material in a fluidized-bed reactor wherein waste water or other liquid to be processed is conducted upwardly at a velocity conducive to fluidization through a bed of particles which function as a carrier for the growth of the material. Included in the system is a separator column whose low end extends toward the fluidized bed and whose high end extends toward a head of liquid effluent which lies on the bed. In the course of reactor operation, the cellular material on the particles continues to grow, causing the bed to expand until its level reaches an alarm point indicative of excessive growth. This point is sensed to activate an agitator arrangement which effects shearing of the excess cellular material from the particles to produce in the separator column a mixture of sheared material and partially stripped carrier particles.