Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for membrane carbonation for cultivating microalgae and other microorganisms that utilize a gaseous substrate, as well as to upgrade the quality of mixed-gas streams.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for biological wastewater treatment for Se control in Se-laden wastewater. The Se contaminants in the wastewater include the Se oxyanions selenate (SeO42-) and selenite (HSeO3?), which are biochemically reduced and transformed to elemental selenium (Se0) by microorganisms through anaerobic biological reduction. The resulting Se0 is entrained in the biomass, which is further processed to enable the efficient recovery of concentrated Se0.

Abstract: A biofilm membrane bioreactor system with a bioreactor, at least two membrane plates positioned within the bioreactor, and a plurality of biofilm carriers suspended within the wastewater in the bioreactor. The bioreactor has at least one inlet and at least one outlet. The at least two membrane plates are configured to filter the wastewater to generate permeate and may be formed of a ceramic material. Each of the at least two membrane plates are separated from adjacent membrane plates by a membrane gap that is at least two times larger than a smallest dimension of one of the biofilm carriers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for removing oxidized contaminants from water and wastewater using a metal-biofilm, also referred to herein as a bio-metal composite catalyst. In some embodiments, the system comprises a gas-transfer membrane, a hydrogen-gas source, an inoculant comprising a biofilm-forming population of microorganisms, a growth medium comprising at least one nitrate salt and at least one perchlorate salt, and a catalyst precursor medium comprising at least one soluble autocatalytic metal precursor and having a basic pH. Methods of establishing a bio-metal composite catalyst for removing ammunition-related contaminants are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for removing selenate and/or selenite from water and recovering elemental selenium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for catalytic removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water and wastewater. The system and methods utilize a catalyst film and a biofilm to synergystically remove PFAS from water. In some aspects, the catalyst film reduces and defluorinates PFAS into less fluorinated counterparts of PFAS, and the biofilm metabolizes the less fluroinated counterparts of PFAS into CO2 or shorter chain PFAS.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for removing and recovering precious metals, such as platinum-group metals (PGMs), including palladium, from wastewater and waste streams. The invention also relates to systems and methods for recycling the recovered precious metals for catalytic applications.

Abstract: The present application focuses on systems and methods that utilize one or more carbon dioxide (CO2) sorbent substrates and a swing cycle, e.g., a moisture swing cycle, to increase the partial pressure of the CO2 in a gaseous feedstock, which is delivered through a membrane to a bioreactor, such as a membrane carbonation photobioreactor. Such systems and processes offer an effective means for concentrating and capturing CO2 obtained from air and delivering the concentrated CO2 to a photobioreactor through a membrane.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward membrane biofilm reactors primarily comprising microorganisms that produce chemical fuel products or precursors thereof. Reactors of the present disclosure can primarily comprise acetogens, a methanotrophs, and/or Methanosarcina acetivorans.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for removing and recovering precious metals, such as platinum-group metals (PGMs), including palladium, from wastewater and waste streams. The invention also relates to systems and methods for recycling the recovered precious metals for catalytic applications.

Abstract: An organic industrial tailwater treatment method based on simultaneous combination of ozonation and biodegradation (SCOB), includes: placing a sponge carrier that is internally attached and grown with a biofilm in a recycle reactor; introducing air into an ozone generator to generate ozone; and introducing the ozone into the recycle reactor; where the ozone output of the recycle reactor is adjusted through a flow meter and an ozone generator adjustment knob, the sponge carrier is uniformly fluidized under the action of the ozone, and microorganisms loaded on the sponge carrier cooperate with the ozone to degrade pollutants. Easily degradable organic substances produced from the ozonation of the present disclosure can be quickly utilized by the microorganisms in the internal pores of the composite carrier, which improves the degradation and mineralization efficiency of pollutants.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for membrane carbonation for cultivating microalgae and other microorganisms that utilize a gaseous substrate, as well as to upgrade the quality of mixed-gas streams.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward membrane biofilm reactors primarily comprising microorganisms that produce chemical fuel products or precursors thereof. Reactors of the present disclosure can primarily comprise acetogens, a methanotrophs, and/or Methanosarcina acetivorans.

Abstract: A membrane biofilm reactor including a vessel defining a volume is disclosed. The reactor also typically includes a first and second plurality of hollow fiber membranes. Each hollow fiber membrane generally has an outer surface and a lumen, and is located within the volume. The reactor further preferably includes a first and second gas feedstock. The first gas feedstock is provided through a first inlet in fluid communication with the lumens of the first plurality of hollow fiber membranes. The second gas feedstock is provided through a second inlet in fluid communication with the lumens of the second plurality hollow fiber membranes. Finally, the reactor also typically includes a biofilm formed on the outer surface of the hollow fiber membranes and made up of methanotrophs, Methanosarcina acetivorans, or both. The first gas feedstock is preferably different from the second gas feedstock.

Abstract: The present application focuses on systems and methods that utilize one or more carbon dioxide (CO2) sorbent substrates and a swing cycle, e.g., a moisture swing cycle, to increase the partial pressure of the CO2 in a gaseous feedstock, which is delivered through a membrane to a bioreactor, such as a membrane carbonation photobioreactor. Such systems and processes offer an effective means for concentrating and capturing CO2 obtained from air and delivering the concentrated CO2 to a photobioreactor through a membrane.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward membrane biofilm reactors primarily comprising microorganisms that produce chemical fuel products or precursors thereof. Reactors of the present disclosure can primarily comprise acetogens, a methanotrophs, and/or Methanosarcina acetivorans.

Abstract: A microbial electrolysis cell having a brush anode is described. A method of producing products, such as hydrogen, at the cathode of the microbial electrolysis cell is also provided. The microbial electrolysis cell is configured in a cylindrical shape having an anode, cathode and anion exchange membrane all disposed concentrically. A brush anode spirally wound around the outside of the cylindrical microbial electrolysis cell is described. The method may include sparging the anode and/or cathode with air in some cases. In addition, CO2-containing gas may be injected into a cathode chamber to reduce pH is some cases.

Abstract: Methods and systems for microbial fuel cells with unproved cathodes are provided, in accordance with some embodiments, methods for microbial fuel cells with improved cathodes are provided. The methods comprising: abiotically reducing oxygen on a cathode having a catalyst layer bound to a gas diffusion layer using an anion conductive polymer, consequently accumulating Off at the catalyst layer, and reducing local pH by conducting the OH? away from the catalyst layer, directly or by transport of anionic buffers that act as OH? carriers, through the anion conductive polymer, in accordance with some embodiments, a system for microbial fuel cells is provided. The system comprising: a container, an anode, anode-respiring bacteria, and a cathode having a catalyst layer bound to a gas diffusion layer using an anion conductive polymer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for growing photosynthetic cells that may be used to produce a biomass. The systems and methods recycle liquid and can produce a high cell concentration harvested biomass.

Abstract: A microbial electrolysis cell having a brush anode is described. A method of producing products, such as hydrogen, at the cathode of the microbial electrolysis cell is also provided. The microbial electrolysis cell is configured in a cylindrical shape having an anode, cathode and anion exchange membrane all disposed concentrically. A brush anode spirally wound around the outside of the cylindrical microbial electrolysis cell is described. The method may include sparging the anode and/or cathode with air in some cases. In addition, CO2-containing gas may be injected into a cathode chamber to reduce pH is some cases.