Including Off-gas Trapping Means Patents (Class 435/300.1)
  • Patent number: 11767995
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a moveable ventilation system comprising a supporting frame having at least one plenum, and at least one biofilter module mounted on the plenum for allowing air to flow through the biofilter module from an air inlet to an air outlet via a growth medium and a vegetation. The plenum is rotatably connected to the supporting frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Biophilia Australia PTY LTD
    Inventors: Jock Thurgood Gammon, Adam Cornish
  • Patent number: 10676407
    Abstract: The present application provides a reactor with an inclined bottom gas-inlet for aerobic fermentation. A fermenter is provided with a circular inner tank, end covers and a jacket. An airtight fermentation space is formed in the fermenter by the inner tank, an upper end cover and a lower end cover. A feed opening and an exhaust outlet are arranged at an upper part of the fermenter, and a discharge opening is arranged at a lower part of the lower end cover of the fermenter. An energy-saving stirrer is mounted in the fermenter. A plurality of air chambers are arranged at an external wall at the bottom of the inner tank of the fermenter and are within the jacket. A plurality of aeration nozzles are defined on an inner side of each air chamber, and the aeration nozzles are disposed next to the inner tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Inventor: Shen Wang
  • Publication number: 20150111273
    Abstract: A method for producing H2, VFAs and alcohols from organic material is disclosed, including the steps of introducing organic material and microorganisms into a completely mixed bioreactor for producing H2, CO2, VFAs, and alcohols; sequestering CO2 in the headspace of the reactor; recovering H2 from the headspace; and recovering a first liquid effluent including microorganisms, VFAs, and alcohols. Also disclosed is a system for producing H2, VFAs and alcohols from organic material, including a completely mixed bioreactor for dark fermentation; an input for supplying microorganisms and the organic material to be broken down; a CO2 trap in the headspace and including a solid hydroxide for sequestration of the CO2 gas from the headspace; and a gas output for removal of a gas effluent including H2 gas from the headspace. The system and method provide higher H2 production rates and a H2 stream is substantially free of CO2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Hisham Mohamed HAFEZ
  • Patent number: 8956671
    Abstract: The present invention provides for passive VOC recovery in the fermentation process that does not affect or minimally affects the conditions within the fermentor vessel and does not affect or minimally affects the conditions within the headspace of the fermentor vessel itself while using the production of CO2 emitted during the fermenting process as the source of driving energy to move a portion of the gaseous/vaporous material in the headspace of the fermentor through an appropriately sized conduit to a chilled surface condensing device to condense the VOCs (principally ethanol) for recovery and to exhaust the CO2 to the atmosphere or to recover the CO2 for other uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: EcoPAS LLC
    Inventors: Marci Norkin, Steven D. Colome
  • Publication number: 20150031104
    Abstract: A system for generating biogas comprises at least one fermenter (1) for fermenting solid biomass (13). The fermenter (1) comprises a device for charging the biomass with a liquid medium, a gas outlet (2) for removing the biogas from the fermenter (1) and a gas inlet (3) for supplying gases to the fermenter (1). The gas inlet (3) is connectable to a biogas source, preferably to the gas outlet (2), a biogas line and/or a biogas reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2012
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventor: Karlgünter Eggersmann
  • Publication number: 20150017683
    Abstract: Scalable biomaterial-based bioreactors are described. In one embodiment, the bioreactor may comprise perforated plates stacked such that the assembled bioreactor has the necessary manifolds and chambers to transport gas and liquids to a biomaterial contained within the bioreactor, and to remove the reaction products. In another embodiment, single use bioreactors are described. Methods of operating the bioreactors are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Zia Abdullah, Michael L. Dickens, Micah Paul McCreery, Randy L. Jones, Elvin Ray Beach, III, Jon-David S. Sears, Erin Suzanne Schultz, Stephanie Ann Smith, Paul E. George, II
  • Publication number: 20140370541
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include cell culture liquid/gas-phase chamber devices and related methods that allow measurement of gas-phase components and their production rate as well as substances/mediators released into media by cultured cells in response to various stimuli. In embodiments disclosed herein, these chamber devices are cell culture liquid/gas-phase chamber devices. The gas and liquid phase compartments are separated by the cell culture liquid/gas-phase chamber devices so that there is no, or minimal, physico-chemical interaction between the liquid and gas phase compartments. As an example, these cell culture liquid/gas-phase chamber devices can be used to study the effects of various pharmacologic agents or other interventions on healthy or diseased cell metabolism by assessing a release of metabolic products in liquid (culture media) and the headspace under standardized conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA
    Inventors: Milan Joseph Hazucha, Johnny Lee Carson, Lawrence Edward Ostrowski
  • Patent number: 8889404
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing biogas from organic matter including a container (1) which is charged with fermentation substrate by a delivery system (13), and at least two stirring mechanisms (2) arranged in the container, the stirring mechanisms having propellers (3) which are rotated and generate mostly horizontal currents of the fermentation substrate in the container. The propeller diameters, the propeller geometries, and the positions of the propellers in the container are selected such that a shared mixing zone of the medium is generated in the container. Data for determining the mean speed and/or the viscosity of the medium in the mixing zone are detected and transmitted to a control unit (4) which varies actuating variables which modify the power input of the stirring mechanism into the mixing zone and/or the composition and/or the flow behavior of the container contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: KSB Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Kai Rostalski, Peer Springer
  • Publication number: 20140329306
    Abstract: A digester tank has a servicing device that allows access to the interior of the digester tank. The sealing device may have a movable retention wall adapted to resist the pressure of the gas inside the digester by one or more of a) increasing the bending resistance of the retention wall, for example by inflating pockets in the wall, b) forcing the lower edge of the retention wall downwards, for example by weight, a mechanical arm or inflating pockets, and c) providing a mechanical structure within the retention wall, for example a non-moving cage-like structure. A sealing device with a fixed wall has a pipe with an isolation valve between the headspace of the tank and the inside of the sealing device. In operation, a seal may be formed across the separation curtain by raising the level of the liquid contents and closing the isolation valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Michael David Theodoulou, Warren Bruce Lee, Juan Carlos Josse
  • Patent number: 8877490
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fermenter for generating biogas from pumpable organic material with a low content of organic dry matter (oTS), comprising at least one inlet for the pumpable organic material, at least one fixed bed reactor for the pumpable organic material with at least one primary and one secondary section and at least one outlet the remaining fermentation residue. Furthermore, the fermenter can optionally comprises at least one sedimentation chamber for the pumpable organic material, arranged between the primary and secondary sections and at least one recycling section connected to the sedimentation chamber and designed such that specific lighter fractions of the pumpable organic material can be recovered and reintroduced to the rising (primary) section of the fixed bed reactor or a preceding or subsequent conventional fermenter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Inventors: Wilhelm Gantefort, Jürgen Beck
  • Patent number: 8846381
    Abstract: A biogas desulfurization device comprises an anaerobic system, a desulfurization liquid circulating system, an oxygen supply device and a desulfurization system, wherein the anaerobic system is used for generating biogas and filling the generated biogas into the desulfurization system, the desulfurization liquid circulating system is used for filling the desulfurization liquid into the desulfurization system and recycling the desulfurization liquid that has undergone the desulfurization operation, the oxygen supply device is used for filling air into the desulfurization system, and the desulfurization system which comprises at least one stage desulfurization tower group is used for carrying out the desulfurization operation on the biogas from the anaerobic system, the desulfurization operation is conducted by the desulfurization liquid received from the desulfurization liquid circulating system in an aerobic environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Beijing Helee Bio-Energy Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wenzhi Pan
  • Patent number: 8759083
    Abstract: A bioreactor having improved gas yield is described, wherein the necessary residence time of the biomass in the digestion tank is reduced. During the fermentation of dry, i.e. non-pumpable biomass, percolating juices, so-called percolate, is generated as a result of the moisture contained in the biomass, which percolate is withdrawn via a drainage system and, if necessary, recirculated from the top onto the biomass to be fermented. It has now been found that the biomass yield is significantly increased—in the region of between 10% and 40%—when the resultant percolate is not immediately withdrawn by way of the drainage system, but is accumulated in the digestion tank up to a specific level. This is achieved by a technical device wherein the digestion tank is liquid-tight, i.e. also the flap for loading and unloading the digestion tank must be liquid-tight and also be designed in a correspondingly solid manner in order to withstand the resultant liquid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Bekon Energy Technologies GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Peter Lutz
  • Publication number: 20140045257
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to improvements in gasification for use with synthesis gas fermentation. Further, the present invention is directed to improvements in gasification for the production of alcohols from a gaseous substrate containing at least one reducing gas containing at least one microorganism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Ineos Bio Limited
    Inventors: James L. Gaddy, Ching-Whan Ko, J. Randy Phillips, M. Sean Slape
  • Publication number: 20140024091
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for a hybrid biological and chemical process that captures and converts carbon dioxide and/or other forms of inorganic carbon and/or C1 carbon sources including but not limited to carbon monoxide, methane, methanol, formate, or formic acid, and/or mixtures containing C1 chemicals including but not limited to various syngas compositions, into organic chemicals including biofuels or other valuable biomass, chemical, industrial, or pharmaceutical products are provided. The present invention, in certain embodiments, fixes inorganic carbon or C1 carbon sources into longer carbon chain organic chemicals by utilizing microorganisms capable of performing the oxyhydrogen reaction and the autotrophic fixation of CO2 in one or more steps of the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Kiverdi, Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Reed, Lisa Dyson
  • Publication number: 20140004599
    Abstract: An inexpensive, portable and modular anaerobic digester assembly, comprising: an outer container; a primary anaerobic digester container or vessel positioned within the outer container; and one or more secondary gas collection containers or vessels positioned within the outer container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventor: Carey J. Boote
  • Publication number: 20130323714
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for micro-aeration of large scale fermentation systems is provided. The micro-aeration system includes a fermentation reactor, a sparging apparatus, and a micro-aeration gas mixture delivered to the fermentation reactor via the sparging apparatus. The micro-aeration gas mixture is a very low oxygen concentration mixture comprising an oxygen containing gas and an inert carrier gas that is preferably recycled through the fermentation reactor. The inert carrier gas is preferably nitrogen whereas the oxygen containing gas is oxygen or and is introduced to the fermentation reactor at a minimum superficial velocity of about 0.02 m/sec to produce a uniform dispersion of the oxygen/air throughout the fermentation broth while concurrently mixing the entire fermentation broth. The micro-aeration method and apparatus further comprises a controller operatively coupled to one or more control valves for regulating the micro-aeration conditions in the fermentation reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Alan T. Cheng, Ying Zhou, Paul W. Belanger, Jennifer G. Bugayong
  • Patent number: 8597941
    Abstract: A bioreactor for sampling the headspace above cells includes a glass reactor vessel having an interior space and a plurality of valves operatively coupled to the interior space of the glass reactor vessel. The bioreactor includes a sample holder configured to reside in the interior space. The interior space includes a charge of air with a known composition of volatile organic gases and, in some instances, doped with carbon dioxide. The sample holder may hold cells, bacteria, or viruses. The headspace may be sampled after incubation to determine the VOC content or content of specific VOC constituents. Examples include acetaldehyde and hexanaldehyde.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Hye-Won Shin, Brandon J. Umber, Donald R. Blake, Dan M. Cooper
  • Publication number: 20130309759
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses herein provide a unique and novel process to remove H2S from biogas. Methods, systems and apparatuses herein provide a unique and novel process to remove H2S from biogas with ease of operation and reduced operating and capital costs. Methods, systems and apparatuses herein provide a unique and novel process to remove H2S over CO2 from biogas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventors: Nicholas Kennedy, Quan-Bao Zhao, Anping Jiang, Craig Frear, Stephen W. Dvorak
  • Publication number: 20130288346
    Abstract: Disclosed is a single-use bioreactor bag design providing substantially equivalent maximum shear rate at the impeller tip and average or bulk shear rate over a range of power per unit working volume and rpm needed for bioculture processing. The uniformity in shear profile of the bag design providing a unique advantage when used as a scale-down or scale-up platform. Also disclosed is a linearly scalable, single-use, bioreactor system for use in carrying out a scalable biomanufacturing process, the system comprising two single-use bioreactor bags of different volumes, wherein the ratio H/D of the height of the working volume H to the diameter D of the tank, or of the bag is equal to about 1.5, and the bulk shear in each of the bags is substantially constant. The disclosed small scale system models larger scale systems from both a shear/scalability/performance basis and also from a validation and regulatory basis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: Xcellerex Inc.
    Inventors: Colin Tuohey, Ted Deloggio, Thomas Erdenberger, Kenneth P. Clapp, Richard Damren, Parrish M. Galliher, Patrick Guertin, Jiyoung Lee, Michael Fisher
  • Publication number: 20130244284
    Abstract: Solid biomass having a moisture content in a range of 30 to 95 mass % is brought into contact with ammonia gas at a pressure in a range of 0.5 to 4 MPa and held at 50 to 200 degrees C. Subsequently, the solid biomass is rapidly decompressed to be blasted. The ammonia gas evaporated by decompression is recovered and recycled. The ammonia gas can be brought into contact with the entire solid biomass evenly and in a short time. Since absorption heat of the ammonia gas is generated, energy consumption required for additional heating can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventors: Masashi Machida, Tetsuya Fukunaga, Kozo Morimitsu, Shigeru Sakashita, Yasuo Torikata, Akihiko Kosugi, Yutaka Mori, Yoshinori Murata, Takamitsu Arai
  • Publication number: 20130244322
    Abstract: The invention provides an automated apparatus of cell culture having tanks of culture medium, of growth factors and of cells to be cultured, an incubator having a thermostated enclosure which houses a cell culture vessel, and control computer system. A supporting and agitation device of the culture vessel is provided in the enclosure, and the culture vessel is formed by a bag having at least one inlet port connected to the tanks and one outlet port connected devices for harvesting and storage of the cells after culture, these harvesting and storage devices and tanks being located outside the enclosure and being connected to the cell expansion bag ports by conduits which together with the cell expansion bag form a preassembled module passing through a wall of the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: CELLPROTHERA
    Inventors: Philippe Henon, Claire Saucourt, Patrick Gasse, Alain Sundas, Pierre Sugranes, Amandine Verdier, Frederic Demonchy
  • Patent number: 8513004
    Abstract: A process for the treatment of biomass is provided. The process comprises forming a biomass slurry by mixing biomass with a working fluid, and inducing the biomass slurry to flow through an inlet into a passage. A high velocity transport fluid is injected into the slurry through a nozzle communicating with the passage. The injection of the high velocity transport fluid applies a shear force to the slurry such that the working fluid is atomized and forms a vapor and droplet flow regime, an at least partial vacuum is formed within the passage downstream of the nozzle, and a condensation shock wave is generated within the passage downstream of the nozzle and vacuum by condensation of the transport fluid. An apparatus for treating biomass using the aforementioned process is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Pursuit Dynamics PLC
    Inventors: John Gervase Mark Heathcote, Marcus Brian Mayhall Fenton
  • Publication number: 20130149755
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for a hybrid biological and chemical process that captures and converts carbon dioxide and/or other forms of inorganic carbon and/or CI carbon sources including but not limited to carbon monoxide, methane, methanol, formate, or formic acid, and/or mixtures containing CI chemicals including but not limited to various syngas compositions, into organic chemicals including bio-fuels or other valuable biomass, chemical, industrial, or pharmaceutical products are provided. The present invention, in certain embodiments, fixes inorganic carbon or CI carbon sources into longer carbon chain organic chemicals by utilizing microorganisms capable of performing the oxyhydrogen reaction and the autotrophic fixation of CO2 in one or more steps of the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: Kiverdi ,Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Reed, Lisa Dyson
  • Patent number: 8455242
    Abstract: A system for mixing a liquid solution or suspension includes a support housing bounding a compartment and a collapsible bag disposed within the compartment. A mixer is disposed within the collapsible bag while a sparger delivers a gas to the lower end of the collapsible bag. A gas outlet line extends from an upper end of the collapsible bag to a condenser assembly. A gas exhaust line and a fluid collection line both extend from the condenser assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: HyClone Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Clinton C. Staheli, Nephi D. Jones, Michael E. Goodwin
  • Patent number: 8440437
    Abstract: A combined installation is disclosed for the production of biogas and compost, including a dry fermentation fermenter for producing biogas in a batch mode, a biogas outlet, a purging gas inlet, a biogas line connected to the biogas outlet, a waste gas line, a waste gas chimney connected to the biogas outlet via a first biogas/waste gas line, a waste gas flare connected to the biogas outlet via a second biogas/waste gas line, a fresh air line connected to the purging gas inlet, a control means for connecting the biogas outlet to the biogas line or the biogas/waste gas chimney via the first biogas/waste gas line or the waste gas flare via the second biogas/waste gas line and for connecting the purging gas inlet to the waste gas line or the fresh air line, and a measurement means connected to the control means for detecting methane and carbon dioxide concentrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Bekon Energy Technologies GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Peter Lutz
  • Patent number: 8431391
    Abstract: A plant for producing an oxygen-containing additive for liquid motor fuels comprises an anaerobic fermentation vessel, a gasholder, a system for removal of sulphuretted hydrogen, and a hotwell. The plant further comprises an aerobic fermentation vessel, a device for liquid substance pumping, a device for liquid aeration with an oxygen-containing gas, a removal system of solid mass residue after fermentation, a gas distribution device; a device for heavy gases utilization; a device for ammonia adsorption by water; a liquid-gas mixer; a cavity mixer, a system that serves superficial active and dispersant matters and a cooler; all of these being connected to each other by pipelines. The technical result being the implementation of a process for producing an oxygen containing additive, which after being added to liquid motor fuels, provides an ecologically beneficial component for motor fuels by ensuring the stability of composition fuel properties during long-term storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: Yury Paul Siryk, Ivan Peter Balytski, Volodymyr George Korolyov, Olexiy Nick Klishyn, Vitaly Nick Lnianiy, Yury Alex Lyakh, Victor Valery Rogulin
  • Patent number: 8408293
    Abstract: A novel method reduces methane slack when operating a biogas fermenter. When starting up a freshly charged fermenter, the methane portion of the produced biogas is initially so low and the portions of carbon dioxide and nitrogen are so high that the biogas cannot be directly used in a combined heat and power plant. Conventionally, the biogas generated during the startup phase has a small portion of methane that is discharged directly into the atmosphere or is flared off if the methane fraction is larger. The initially produced methane is consequently not used and becomes methane slack. To reduce methane slack, the biogas with the low methane fraction is fed to a gas treatment unit in which non-methane components of the gas mixture are partially separated, and the remaining gas mixture with a higher methane content is returned to the biogas fermenter until the methane fraction is sufficiently high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: BEKON Energy Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Peter Lutz
  • Publication number: 20130078689
    Abstract: Processes and apparatus are disclosed for the low energy, anaerobic bioconversion of hydrogen and carbon monoxide in a gaseous substrate stream to oxygenated organic compounds such as ethanol by contact with microorganisms in a deep, stirred tank fermentation system with high conversion efficiency of both hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Gas feed to the reactor is injected using a motive liquid to form a stable dispersion of microbubbles thereby reducing energy costs, and a portion of the off-gases from the reactor are recycled to (i) achieve a conversion of the total moles of carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the gas substrate to oxygenated organic compound of at least about 80 percent and (ii) attenuate the risk of carbon monoxide inhibition of the microorganism used for the bioconversion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: COSKATA, INC.
    Inventor: Robert Hickey
  • Publication number: 20130029410
    Abstract: The invention relates to a digester tank for a biogas plant. The interior of the digester tank is at least partially surrounded by media-tight, pressure-tight and thermally insulating walls. The digester tank has thermally insulating exterior wall segments. The thermally insulating exterior wall segments form a self-supporting polygonal ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas Dory, Horst Unterlechner
  • Publication number: 20120301937
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods for producing and harvesting ethanol from fermentable sugars derived from sugar crops, starch-containing and lignocellulose-containing materials, and apparatuses for producing and harvesting the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: Scale Biofuel, ApS
    Inventor: Dan Nilsson
  • Patent number: 8293523
    Abstract: An agitator for a fermenter, a fermenter and method of operating a fermenter are provided. The agitator has an agitator shaft which stands roughly vertically in the fermenter. Because of this, the substrate in the fermenter is circulated in horizontal planes. This allows the formation of several layered decomposition zones. In addition, the agitator is preferably designed so that it may be removed upwards from the fermenter during continuing operation. This means that it is not necessary to empty the fermenter for maintenance work on the agitator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Agraferm Technologies AG
    Inventors: Johann Friedmann, Christian Heck
  • Patent number: 8283159
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fermenter (10) for producing biogas from organic material, having a fermentation chamber (11) with a substantially round basal surface to receive fermentation material; arranged, in the peripheral region of the fermentation chamber, filling means (12) for substrate to be fermented; arranged, above the fermentation chamber, an unpressurized gas store (13) with gas discharging means (14); stirring means (15); a settling chamber (16) with overflow rim; and also pumping means (17) for the continuous or batchwise removal of fermentation material from the fermentation chamber and introduction into the settling chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Inventor: Wilhelm Gantefort
  • Patent number: 8272436
    Abstract: A novel method reduces methane slack when operating a biogas fermenter. When starting up a freshly charged fermenter, the methane portion of the produced biogas is initially so low and the portions of carbon dioxide and nitrogen are so high that the biogas cannot be directly used in a combined heat and power plant. Conventionally, the biogas generated during the startup phase has a small portion of methane that is discharged directly into the atmosphere or is flared off if the methane fraction is larger. The initially produced methane is consequently not used and becomes methane slack. To reduce methane slack, the biogas with the low methane fraction is fed to a gas treatment unit in which non-methane components of the gas mixture are partially separated, and the remaining gas mixture with a higher methane content is returned to the biogas fermenter until the methane fraction is sufficiently high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: BEKON Energy Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Peter Lutz
  • Patent number: 8241904
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a mammalian cell culture process are provided. Such control of the cell culture process involves control of the level of dissolved carbon dioxide in the cell culture media and the resulting ability to prevent increases in the osmolality level is achieved by enhanced stripping of carbon dioxide with little or no damage to the mammalian cells. The disclosed methods and systems of dissolved carbon dioxide stripping include enhanced surface gas exchange mechanisms within the bioreactor vessel through the use of an upward flow impeller combined with vertical baffles to convert swirling motions of the liquid into a largely vertical flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan T. Y. Cheng, Ying Zhou, Balazs Hunek, Amitabh Gupta, Nigel Grinter
  • Patent number: 8241869
    Abstract: A fermentation device for biological degradation of substrate containing organic material and for recovery of biogas produced by degradation has an elongate closed container having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end has an inlet opening for untreated substrate and the second end has at least one removal opening for treated substrate. The container has at least one removal opening for biogas. The container has several reaction cells provided with individually driven mixing units. The mixing units have mixing unit shafts positioned transversely to a longitudinal extension of the container and mixing impellers mounted on the mixing unit shafts and driven on a circular path. The mixing unit shafts are arranged at axial spacings smaller than a diameter of the mixing units so that the mixing impellers when the mixing unit shafts rotate pass trough an overlap range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: STRABAG Umweltanlagen GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Büchner, Gerhard Langhans, Urs Haller, Roland Sickinger
  • Patent number: 8222502
    Abstract: A novel maize variety designated 10216740 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing maize variety 10216740 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into 10216740 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety 10216740, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety 10216740. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety 10216740.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Pioneer Hi Bred International Inc.
    Inventors: Khusi Ram Tiwari, Terry R. Colbert
  • Patent number: 8187869
    Abstract: A biogas installation for production of biogas from biomass and methods for starting and shutting down a fermenter are disclosed. When biomass in a fermenter is used up, biogas production must stop, the fermented biomass removed, and the fermenter filled with fresh biomass. Biogas production and utilisation is maintained for as long as possible. When the methane concentration in the biogas outlet falls below an upper limit, the biogas line is disconnected. The biogas/off-gas mixture is fed out via an exhaust chimney until the methane concentration has fallen to a lower limit. The fermenter to be shut down is purged with fresh air, and the off-gas/biogas/fresh air mixture is fed out via the exhaust chimney until the carbon-dioxide concentration in the off-gas/biogas/fresh air mixture has fallen to a first limit. The fermenter is then opened to unload the consumed biomass and load fresh biomass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Bekon Energy Technologies GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Peter Lutz
  • Publication number: 20120122175
    Abstract: A method for operating a fermentation plant with at least one digester (1) that is supplied with a substrate (1a). The substrate (1a) is percolated using a percolate (2a) from a percolate container (2) and biogas that is generated via the percolation process in the digester (1) or/and in the percolate container (2) is drawn off. The drawn off biogas is treated in a biogas treatment device (3) and the CO2-containing exhaust gas that is generated during the treatment is introduced into the digester (1) using a purge line (4), for forcing out and drawing off the biogas that was generated in the digester (1). Alternatively CO2-containing biogas that was generated in an additional digester (1) in a different fermentation process can be introduced into the digester (1) using a purge line (4) for forcing out and drawing off the biogas that was generated in the digester (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: KOMPOFERM GmbH
    Inventor: Karlgünter Eggersmann
  • Publication number: 20120122200
    Abstract: A biogas plant service device and an associated biogas plant with a service shaft for biogas plants includes a fermentation tank with a tank wall, a fermentation tank interior and a tank cover covering the fermentation tank interior. The service shaft has a service opening to carry out the assembly, disassembly and maintenance of the plant, such as, a stirrer. The service shaft is arranged on a tank roof covering the fermenter tank interior for sealing the tank roof. An assembly rod is provided extending into the fermentation mass in the fermentation tank interior from the service shaft and at a distance from the tank wall. The service shaft is fixed to a support frame which has a support section, with a fixing apparatus provided on the support section by means of which the support section can be aligned and fixed outside the fermentation tank interior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Johann Bierer, Matthias Rabener, Andreas Czwaluk
  • Publication number: 20120115185
    Abstract: A device for recovering biogas, comprising at least one fermenter (13) and a percolate tank (10) for collecting the percolate removed from the fermenter or fermenters (13). The percolate tank (10) has a percolate inlet (10c) that can be connected to an outlet of the fermenter or fermenters (13) and a percolate outlet (10b). The percolate tank (10) is designed in such a way that the residence time of the percolate as it passes between the inlet (10c) and the outlet (10b) is sufficiently long to sanitize the percolate at the outlet (10b). The Percolate tank may also include one or more heaters to heat the percolate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventor: Karlgünter Eggersmann
  • Patent number: 8148142
    Abstract: A system and methods for processing organic waste material for residential type environments includes a reactor tank dimensioned to receive a predetermined amount of organic material therein. The amount of organic material is selected based upon the size of the residential service area the system is servicing. The system includes homogenizing the volume of organic waste materials and selectively introducing the homogenized organic material into a reaction tank. A system for selectively removing gaseous by-products from the anaerobic digestion of organic material within the reactor tank is provided, along with a system for selective removal of waste solids from the reactor tank to provide for substantially continuous processing of materials and production of usable gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventors: Michael R. Sapp, Rudy J. Wojtecki
  • Publication number: 20120077243
    Abstract: Single-use closed bioreactors with recirculating exhaust gas that can be operated in an uncontrolled environment are reported for the manufacturing of biological products using genetically modified biological cultures that produces carbon dioxide or that requires carbon dioxide in their metabolic process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventor: Sarfaraz K. Niazi
  • Patent number: 8137957
    Abstract: An odiferous organic compounds cover having an inner surface and an outer surface. The cover contains a thermoplastic non-woven layer containing thermoplastic fibers having a contact angle with water greater than about 70°. The cover contains a UV barrier layer contains containing a UV blocking polymer, having a thickness of between one to three times the diameter of the thermoplastic fibers of the non-woven layer, and containing discontinuities forming microchannels through the layer thickness. The cover also contains an odor mitigation layer containing a UV translucent polymer which transmits at least about 60% of UV(C) energy and anatase titanium dioxide. The odor mitigation layer comprises discontinuities forming microchannels through the layer thickness forms the outer surface of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: David E. Wenstrup, Venkatkrishna Raghavendran
  • Patent number: 8105823
    Abstract: A biogas installation for production of biogas from biomass and methods for starting and shutting down a fermenter are disclosed. When biomass in a fermenter is used up, biogas production must stop, the fermented biomass removed, and the fermenter filled with fresh biomass. Biogas production and utilization is maintained for as long as possible. When the methane concentration in the biogas outlet falls below an upper limit, the biogas line is disconnected. The biogas/off-gas mixture is fed out via an exhaust chimney until the methane concentration has fallen to a lower limit. The fermenter to be shut down is purged with fresh air, and the off-gas/biogas/fresh air mixture is fed out via the exhaust chimney until the carbon-dioxide concentration in the off-gas/biogas/fresh air mixture has fallen to a first limit. The fermenter is then opened to unload the consumed biomass and load fresh biomass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Bekon Energy Technologies GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Peter Lutz
  • Publication number: 20120021477
    Abstract: The invention relates to a CO2 fixation and organic waste processing method, wherein microorganisms (105) from a phytoplanktonic culture and organic waste (104) are processed inside a hydrolysis reactor (101); at least part of a liquid effluent (109) exiting the hydrolysis reactor is processed inside a methanation reactor (102); a liquid phase (127) and biogas to be purified (110) exiting Step (a?) are processed inside a phytoplanktonic microorganism culture unit (103); a CO2-containing gaseous effluent (113) is injected into the phytoplanktonic microorganism culture unit; an NH3 concentration under 0.5 g/L is maintained inside the methanation reactor; and a methane-enriched biogas is recovered upon exiting the phytoplanktonic microorganism culture unit. The invention also relates to a system for implementing this method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Olivier Bernard, Gael Bougaran, Jean-Paul Cadoret, Raymond Kaas, Eric Latrille, Bruno Sialve, Jean-Philippe Steyer
  • Publication number: 20120009668
    Abstract: A biogas capture and/or collection system is provided and comprises one or more biogas capture and/or collection units (BCCU) that capture and/or collect biogas generated in one or more biogas generating chambers (BGC). The BCCUs maybe tubular conduits operatively linked to the BGCs or canisters removably linked with the BGCs and designed for reversible capture of the biogas generated therein. A waste input system operatively linked to the BGCs is used to feed waste from one or more sources of waste thereto. Biogas generation within the BGCs is optionally promoted by retention of at least part of the waste within for a time period sufficient for release of gases due to degradation or by using means for promoting microbial processing such as heating means, centers for applications not limited to electricity production, use as fuels and use for chemical synthesis. The gas utilization centers maybe located either locally at the individual sources of waste or at a centralized location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Clearford Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Jill Hass
  • Publication number: 20110318823
    Abstract: An apparatus for the fermentation of a vegetable product in the form of crushed material, includes a first tank for containing the crushed material and a second collection tank for the gaseous products generated from the crushed material's fermentation, a first piping system adapted to let communicate a part of the first tank, where the gaseous products are gathered, with the second tank, a second piping system adapted to let communicate the second and the first tank, the system having a outlet in the first tank where, in use, the liquid of the crushed material is present, first and second valves associated respectively to the first and second piping system to make the two tanks selectively communicating conditionally to the open/closed status of said valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventor: Remo Crosato
  • Publication number: 20110312024
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for fermenting organic material in an apparatus comprising a container. The method includes the steps of feeding organic material and fermenting microbes (414) to a lower portion (410) of the container, whereby material already existing in the container (419, 421) moves upwards as a plug flow; fermenting the upwards moving material and generating gas from the fermenting; removing the generated gas and the fermented material from the an upper portion of the container, wherein the organic material and fermenting microbes in the lower portion (410) of the container are mixed by mixing equipment (412) arranged therein so that the mixing is cyclically stopped or slowed down and a liquid layer (415) is segregated from the mixed material to the bottom of the container; and the liquid layer is removed from the bottom of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventor: Olavi Toukonummi
  • Patent number: 8043847
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for providing light, which can be used to promote growth of biological material. The light includes a ceramic core, including a catalyst and a containment vessel. Light forms as fuel is ignited within the containment vessel. Use of the ceramic core increases the efficiency of the light are reduces undesired gas emissions from the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Arizona Public Service Company
    Inventors: Ray Hobbs, David Haberman
  • Publication number: 20110250678
    Abstract: A system for producing gas from organic waste includes a pretreatment unit, which crushes organic waste; an oxidation unit, which oxidizes the crushed organic waste in an oxidation bath; an oxidation unit, which converts the oxidized organic waste into fluid by anaerobic digestion; and a stabilization unit, which divides the fluid into gas and liquid fertilizer when the fluid is supplied into a fluid-stabilizing bath. The oxidation bath has a transparent safety window, a coupler, a first pipe coupled to the coupler and connected to the oxidation pump, a second pipe, a pit formed in a bottom of the oxidation bath. An inorganic-material-discharging unit has one side seated in the pit and the other side exposed from above. A mixer is coupled to a lower inside wall of the oxidation bath corresponding to the pit, and includes first blades coupled to a mixing motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventor: Sung-Ho JOO