Abstract: The present invention provides a system of baiting and growing microorganisms on a gelatinous matrix. A bioreactor is provided wherein the bioreactor provides an environment conducive to the breakdown of organic aqueous material and the production of hydrogen from microorganisms and restrictive to the production of methane from methanogens. The bioreactor includes substrates coated with a gelatinous matrix, wherein the gelatinous matrix coating is replenished by additional coating material pumped into interior channels of the substrates wherein the substrates are permeable by the coating.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of hydrogen production, wherein organic feed material is heated with excess or diverted heat from a nuclear reactor, thereby substantially deactivating or killing methanogens within the organic feed material. Hydrogen producing microorganisms contained or added to the organic feed material metabolize the organic feed material in a bioreactor to produce hydrogen. As the methanogens are no longer substantially present to convert produced hydrogen to methane, a biogas that contains hydrogen without substantial methane can be produced.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of hydrogen production from microorganisms, wherein a bioreactor provides an environment conducive to the production of hydrogen from Klebsiella oxytoca and restrictive to the production of methane from methanogens. Klebsiella oxytoca metabolizes organic material at elevated temperatures and pH levels that are detrimental to methanogens. Particularly, the environment in the bioreactor is preferably maintained between about 3.5 and 6.0 pH. Further, the Klebsiella oxytoca metabolizes organic material in the organic feed material and produces hydrogen in substantially a 1:1 ratio with carbon dioxide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system of hydrogen production from microorganisms, wherein a bioreactor provides an environment conducive to the production of hydrogen from Klebsiella oxytoca metabolism and restrictive to the production of methane from methanogens. Klebsiella oxytoca metabolizes organic material at elevated temperatures and pH levels that are detrimental to methanogens. Fixed colonies of Klebsiella oxytoca are contained within the bioreactor, providing a sustained level of hydrogen production. The Klebsiella oxytoca metabolizes organic material in the organic feed material and produces hydrogen in substantially a 1:1 ratio with carbon dioxide. The environment in the bioreactor is preferably maintained between about 3.5 and 6.0 pH.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for producing hydrogen through the concentrated growth of hydrogen producing microorganisms. The method comprising: providing a receptacle, introducing a material that contains a hydrogen generating microorganism into the receptacle, introducing a substrate that contains a baiting material into the receptacle, and baiting the hydrogen generating microorganisms to the substrate thereby allowing for the concentrated growth of the hydrogen generating microorganisms on the substrate.

Abstract: This invention discloses an apparatus for the concentrated growth of hydrogen generating microorganisms. The apparatus includes a receptacle with an interior cavity that contains a material in which the hydrogen generating microorganisms are located as well as one or more substrates that are used to facilitate the growth of hydrogen generating microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of hydrogen production from microorganisms, wherein a bioreactor provides an environment conducive to the production of hydrogen from hydrogen producing microorganisms and restrictive to the production of methane from methanogens. The method further includes an equalization tank that provides improved control of flow rates, particularly when combining the hydrogen production system with an industrial process such that organic feed material obtained from the industrial process is utilized in the hydrogen production system. The environment in the bioreactor is preferably maintained between about 3.5 and 6.0 pH.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system of hydrogen production from microorganisms, wherein a bioreactor provides an environment conducive to the production of hydrogen from hydrogen producing microorganisms and restrictive to the production of methane from methanogens. The hydrogen production system further includes an equalization tank that provides improved control of flow rates, particularly when combining the hydrogen production system with an industrial facility such that organic feed material obtained from the industrial facility is utilizes in the hydrogen production system. The environment in the bioreactor is preferably maintained between about 3.5 and 6.0 pH.

Abstract: A method of growth of selected microorganism cultures by selectively baiting paraffinophilic microorganisms for concentrated growth is provided. The method includes providing a receptacle containing an aqueous solution and adjusting the solution to mimic the environmental conditions conducive to enhancing growth of the target microorganisms. The method then further includes inoculating the solution with a sample taken from an aqueous or terrestrial environmental site, or by seeding the aqueous solution with the paraffinophilic microorganism, chosen for its affinity for degrading organic waste or producing certain by-products and then placing in the receptacle one or more paraffin coated substrates to bait the paraffinophilic microorganism. An associated apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system of hydrogen production from microorganisms, wherein a bioreactor provides an environment conducive to the production of hydrogen from hydrogen producing microorganisms and restrictive to the production of methane from methanogens. The environment is controlled by providing a pH controller for controlling the pH of an organic feed material that is metabolized by the hydrogen producing microorganisms held within the bioreactor, wherein the pH of the bioreactor is preferably between about 3.5 and 6.0 pH, and by heating the organic feed material prior to entry into the bioreactor. Further, the ORP of reactions occurring within the bioreactor are maintained at about ?300 to ?450 mV.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of hydrogen production from hydrogen producing microorganisms, wherein a bioreactor provides an environment conducive to the production of hydrogen from hydrogen producing microorganisms and restrictive to the production of methane from methanogens. The hydrogen producing microorganisms metabolize an organic feed material substrate, wherein the organic feed material is preferably maintained between about 3.5 and 6.0 pH while contained within the bioreactor. The organic feed material is further heated prior to entry into the bioreactor, to substantially deactivate or kill methanogens.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system of baiting and growing microorganisms on a gelatinous matrix. A bioreactor is provided wherein the bioreactor provides an environment conducive to the breakdown of organic aqueous material and the production of hydrogen from microorganisms and restrictive to the production of methane from methanogens. The bioreactor includes substrates coated with a gelatinous matrix.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method identifying nonparaffinophilic microorganisms suitable for antibiotic screening. The method provides the growing of nonparaffinophilic microorganisms on substrates in a bioreactor, wherein the bioreactor provides an environment conducive to the metabolism of many nonparaffinophilic microorganisms while being restrictive to methanogens and methane production. The method may further include substrates coated with a gelatinous matrix, wherein the gelatinous matrix coating baits the nonparaffinophilic microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for the production of hydrogen from microorganisms, wherein a bioreactor provides an environment conducive to the production of hydrogen from hydrogen producing microorganisms and restrictive to the production of methane from methanogens. The environment is adjusted to a pH conducive to the growth and metabolism of hydrogen producing microorganisms within the bioreactor, wherein the pH of the organic feed material is preferably between about 3.5 and 6.0 pH. The method further includes a circulation system to create directional Low within the bioreactor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system of baiting and growing microorganisms on a gelatinous matrix. A bioreactor is provided wherein the bioreactor provides an environment conducive to the breakdown of organic aqueous material and the production of hydrogen from microorganisms and restrictive to the production of methane from methanogens. The bioreactor includes substrates coated with a gelatinous matrix, wherein the gelatinous matrix coating is replenished by additional coating material pumped into interior channels of the substrates wherein the substrates are permeable by the coating.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method identifying nonparaffinophilic microorganisms suitable for biodegradation or bioremediation that do not substantially produce methane. The method provides the growing of nonparaffinophilic microorganisms on substrates in a bioreactor, wherein the bioreactor provides an environment conducive to the metabolism of many nonparaffinophilic microorganisms while being restrictive to methanogens and methane production. The method may further include substrates coated with a gelatinous matrix, wherein the gelatinous matrix coating baits the nonparaffinophilic microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus of hydrogen production from microorganisms, wherein a bioreactor provides an environment conducive to the production of hydrogen from hydrogen producing microorganisms and restrictive to the production of methane from methanogens. The method and apparatus includes substrates contained within the bioreactor for growing biofilm thereon, wherein the substrates may be affixed or may be buoyant such that they float to a surface of organic feed material contained in the bioreactor, the biofilm providing a source of continuous hydrogen production.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of hydrogen production from microorganisms, wherein a bioreactor provides an environment conducive to the production of hydrogen from hydrogen producing microorganisms and restrictive to the production of methane from methanogens. The environment adjusted to a pH conducive to the growth and metabolism hydrogen producing microorganisms within the bioreactor, wherein the pH of the organic feed material is preferably between about 3.5 and 6.0 pH, and by heating the organic feed material prior to entry into the bioreactor. The method further includes a circulation system to create directional flow within the bioreactor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dual method of hydrogen production, wherein organic feed material is heated with excess or diverted heat from a secondary hydrogen production method, thereby substantially deactivating or killing methanogens within the organic feed material. Hydrogen producing microorganisms contained or added to the organic feed material metabolize the organic feed material in a bioreactor to produce hydrogen in a primary hydrogen production method. As the methanogens are no longer substantially present to convert produced hydrogen to methane, a biogas that contains hydrogen without substantial methane can be produced.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrogen production apparatus, where a bioreactor is combined with an industrial facility such that the industrial facility heats an organic feed material prior to conveyance of the organic feed material into the bioreactor. The apparatus includes a bioreactor, a feed container, a heating means such as a heat exchanger and an industrial facility with a heat waste source.