Biological reaction processes
US5620891A · kind A · utility
14Cited by
8References
16Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 8, 1994 |
| Grant date | Apr 15, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 8, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02W10/10
- WIPO fieldBiotechnology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process for maintaining a high rate of mass transfer of nutrients contained in a liquid feed stream to a biofilm of microorganisms supported on a bed of particulate matter. The microorganisms in the biofilm are subjected to a continuous, uniform flow of the liquid feed steam and a countercurrent flow of respiratory air so as to support biofilm growth. The bed is periodically pulsed with air at a pressure sufficient to shed microorganisms from the biofilm, and at intervals sufficient to avoid preferential channeling of the liquid feed steam through the bed and/or to disrupt and rearrange the bed of particulate matter.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.