WO1991009934A1 - Apparatus for the growth of biological material - Google Patents

Apparatus for the growth of biological material Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1991009934A1
WO1991009934A1 PCT/GB1990/001975 GB9001975W WO9109934A1 WO 1991009934 A1 WO1991009934 A1 WO 1991009934A1 GB 9001975 W GB9001975 W GB 9001975W WO 9109934 A1 WO9109934 A1 WO 9109934A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
medium
liquid
vessel
growth
mechanical means
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1990/001975
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
James Edmund Kitchin
Simon Philip Davies
Original Assignee
James Edmund Kitchin
Simon Philip Davies
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by James Edmund Kitchin, Simon Philip Davies filed Critical James Edmund Kitchin
Publication of WO1991009934A1 publication Critical patent/WO1991009934A1/en

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Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M27/00—Means for mixing, agitating or circulating fluids in the vessel
    • C12M27/14—Rotation or movement of the cells support, e.g. rotated hollow fibers
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M25/00—Means for supporting, enclosing or fixing the microorganisms, e.g. immunocoatings
    • C12M25/14—Scaffolds; Matrices
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M33/00—Means for introduction, transport, positioning, extraction, harvesting, peeling or sampling of biological material in or from the apparatus
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M33/00—Means for introduction, transport, positioning, extraction, harvesting, peeling or sampling of biological material in or from the apparatus
    • C12M33/18—Rollers

Definitions

  • This invention concerns apparatus in which biological material is grown from a supply of suitable nutrient.
  • Examples of processes with which the invention is concerned and which are widely practised are biological fermentation processes and the treatment of sewage or industrial effluent including the so-called activated sludge process.
  • apparatus for the growth of a biological material in a liquid ajid comprising a body mounted for rotation in a vessel containing the liquid, said body comprising a medium having an internal structure of interconnected voids which provide an environment for the growth and support of biomass.
  • the medium may be a reticulated foam, of for example synthentic plastics material.
  • the medium may be a structure formed from a folded assembly of filaments of plastics, wire or ceramics for example.
  • the body may be fully submerged or partially immersed in the liquid whereby the medium is continuously alternately immersed and exposed to air or other gaseous medium.
  • the liquid may be caused to flow through said vessel.
  • the size of the voids within the medium may vary in a regulated manner according to position longitudinally and/or radially of the body.
  • the body may be in the form of a helix.
  • the helix may be mounted on a shaft.
  • the body may comprise elements of the medium carried by a rigid support structure.
  • the rigid support structure may extend outwardly of the medium to form a scraper blade to convey material accumulating on the internal surface of the vessel towards one end of the vessel for collection.
  • the body may comprise a plurality of discs of said medium mounted on a shaft at spaced intervals therealong.
  • Mechanical means may be provided to displace excess biomass from the medium.
  • Such means may comprise a water jet or a mechanical scraper or roller for example.
  • Figure 1 shows a partially cut-away longitudinal cross-section of the apparatus; and Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the apparatus on the line II-II of Figure 1.
  • the apparatus comprises a trough-like vessel 10 through which a liquid medium, for example an industrial effluent, is caused to flow, entering and leaving the vessel 10 over weirs 11 and 12 respectively.
  • a liquid medium for example an industrial effluent
  • a body generally indicated at 14 comprised by a helix 15 built up from elements 16 of reticulated synthetic plastics foam having an internal structure of interconnected voids which provide an environment for the growth and support of biomass, the effluent providing (with any necessary additive) nutrient for such growth.
  • the helix 15 is mounted on a shaft 17 driven by a motor 18 (typically at a speed of 5 r.p.m.) whereby the elements 16 are continuously alternately immersed and exposed to air, thus enabling the possibility of aerobic and anaerobic biological processes to take place together at the surfaces and within the interior of the body 14 respectively.
  • a motor 18 typically at a speed of 5 r.p.m.
  • the elements 16 forming the helix 15 are carried on a helical frame 19.
  • the frame 19 is permeable save for its outer edge extending outwardly of the helix 15 to form an Archimedean scraper blade 20 to convey excess biomass, primarily that displaced from the surface of the helix 15, from the internal surfaces of the vessel 10 to one end thereof for collection from a sump 21.
  • excess biomass can be encouraged to migrate from the surfaces of the helix 15 by washing with a water jet arrangement 22 at periodic intervals.
  • the apparatus may be quite compact, readily transportable enabling its use for short periods at problem sites. Equally it may be of larger size and form a permanent installation at any effluent treatment works, be it for industrial or sewage effluent.
  • the helix may be supplied dosed with appropriate organisms derived by standard enrichment techniques suited for particular treatment requirements.
  • the organisms within the rotatable body may be rendered non-viable (by chemical or physical treatment) enabling further use of the apparatus in special applications such as physical adsorption and filtration for example. It will be understood, of course, that a helical body encourages flow of liquid through the thickness of the medium.
  • the body may be rotatable in a vessel filled with the liquid so as to be totally immersed and may then be rotatable about an inclined or vertical axis instead of a horizontal axis.
  • the speed and/or direction of rotation of the body or direction of liquid flow may be varied at will in accordance with a predetermined programme, which amongst other things might provide for removal of excess biomass.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Bioinformatics & Cheminformatics (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Microbiology (AREA)
  • Biotechnology (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Genetics & Genomics (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Apparatus Associated With Microorganisms And Enzymes (AREA)
  • Biological Treatment Of Waste Water (AREA)

Abstract

There is disclosed apparatus for the growth of a biological material in a liquid and comprising a body mounted for rotation in a vessel containing the liquid, said body comprising a medium having an internal structure of interconnected voids which provide an environnement for the growth and support of biomass.

Description

APPARATUS FOR THE GROWTH OF BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL
This invention concerns apparatus in which biological material is grown from a supply of suitable nutrient.
Examples of processes with which the invention is concerned and which are widely practised are biological fermentation processes and the treatment of sewage or industrial effluent including the so-called activated sludge process.
Various kinds of apparatus for these purposes wherein the biomass grows within voids internally of a support medium have been proposed, but have not yet proved a great commercial success, because of problems involved in the handling of the support medium.
It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus of this general kind but of more simple construction which avoids the support medium handling problems aforesaid.
According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for the growth of a biological material in a liquid ajid comprising a body mounted for rotation in a vessel containing the liquid, said body comprising a medium having an internal structure of interconnected voids which provide an environment for the growth and support of biomass.
The medium may be a reticulated foam, of for example synthentic plastics material.
The medium may be a structure formed from a folded assembly of filaments of plastics, wire or ceramics for example.
The body may be fully submerged or partially immersed in the liquid whereby the medium is continuously alternately immersed and exposed to air or other gaseous medium.
The liquid may be caused to flow through said vessel.
The size of the voids within the medium may vary in a regulated manner according to position longitudinally and/or radially of the body.
The body may be in the form of a helix.
The helix may be mounted on a shaft.
The body may comprise elements of the medium carried by a rigid support structure. The rigid support structure may extend outwardly of the medium to form a scraper blade to convey material accumulating on the internal surface of the vessel towards one end of the vessel for collection.
The body may comprise a plurality of discs of said medium mounted on a shaft at spaced intervals therealong.
Mechanical means may be provided to displace excess biomass from the medium.
Such means may comprise a water jet or a mechanical scraper or roller for example.
The invention will be further apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawing, which show, by way of example only, one form of apparatus for growth of biological material embodying same.
Of the drawing:-
Figure 1 shows a partially cut-away longitudinal cross-section of the apparatus; and Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the apparatus on the line II-II of Figure 1.
Referring now to the drawing, it will be seen that the apparatus comprises a trough-like vessel 10 through which a liquid medium, for example an industrial effluent, is caused to flow, entering and leaving the vessel 10 over weirs 11 and 12 respectively.
Within the vessel 10 is a body generally indicated at 14 comprised by a helix 15 built up from elements 16 of reticulated synthetic plastics foam having an internal structure of interconnected voids which provide an environment for the growth and support of biomass, the effluent providing (with any necessary additive) nutrient for such growth.
The helix 15 is mounted on a shaft 17 driven by a motor 18 (typically at a speed of 5 r.p.m.) whereby the elements 16 are continuously alternately immersed and exposed to air, thus enabling the possibility of aerobic and anaerobic biological processes to take place together at the surfaces and within the interior of the body 14 respectively.
The elements 16 forming the helix 15 are carried on a helical frame 19. The frame 19 is permeable save for its outer edge extending outwardly of the helix 15 to form an Archimedean scraper blade 20 to convey excess biomass, primarily that displaced from the surface of the helix 15, from the internal surfaces of the vessel 10 to one end thereof for collection from a sump 21.
If necessary, excess biomass can be encouraged to migrate from the surfaces of the helix 15 by washing with a water jet arrangement 22 at periodic intervals.
It will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only, many variations, such as might readily occur to one skilled in the art, being possible, without departing from the scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.
The apparatus may be quite compact, readily transportable enabling its use for short periods at problem sites. Equally it may be of larger size and form a permanent installation at any effluent treatment works, be it for industrial or sewage effluent.
The helix may be supplied dosed with appropriate organisms derived by standard enrichment techniques suited for particular treatment requirements.
Although the apparatus has been described in connection with effluent treatment, it can of course be used for preparing a whole range of biological cultures including yeasts or the like.
The organisms within the rotatable body may be rendered non-viable (by chemical or physical treatment) enabling further use of the apparatus in special applications such as physical adsorption and filtration for example. It will be understood, of course, that a helical body encourages flow of liquid through the thickness of the medium.
It will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only, many variations, such as might readily occur to one skilled in the art, being possible, without departing from the scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.
Thus, for example, the body may be rotatable in a vessel filled with the liquid so as to be totally immersed and may then be rotatable about an inclined or vertical axis instead of a horizontal axis.
Again for example the speed and/or direction of rotation of the body or direction of liquid flow may be varied at will in accordance with a predetermined programme, which amongst other things might provide for removal of excess biomass.

Claims

1. Apparatus for the growth of a biological material in a liquid and comprising a body mounted for rotation in a vessel containing the liquid, said body comprising a medium having an internal structure of interconnected voids which provide an environment for the growth and support of biomass.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the medium is a reticulated foam.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said foam is of synthetic plastics material.
4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the medium is a structure formed from a folded assembly of filaments of plastics, wire or ceramics.
5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the body is partially immersed in the liquid whereby the medium is continuously alternately immersed and exposed to air or other gaseous medium.
6. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1-4 wherein the body is fully submerged.
7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the liquid is caused to flow through said vessel.
8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the size of the voids within the medium varies in a regulated manner according to position longitudinally and/or radially of the body.
9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the body comprises elements of the medium carried by a rigid support structure.
10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the body is in the form of a helix.
11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the helix is mounted on a shaft.
12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the rigid support structure extends outwardly of the medium to form a scraper blade to convey material accumulating on the internal surface of the vessel towards one end of the vessel for collection.
13. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein the body comprises a plurality of discs of said medium mounted on a shaft at spaced intervals therealong.
14. Apparatus according to any preceding claim including mechanical means to displace excess biomass from the medium.
15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said mechanical means comprises a water jet.
16. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said mechanical means comprises a mechanical scraper.
17. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said mechanical means comprises a roller.
PCT/GB1990/001975 1989-12-21 1990-12-18 Apparatus for the growth of biological material WO1991009934A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB898928851A GB8928851D0 (en) 1989-12-21 1989-12-21 Growth of biological material
GB8928851.8 1989-12-21

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1991009934A1 true WO1991009934A1 (en) 1991-07-11

Family

ID=10668290

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1990/001975 WO1991009934A1 (en) 1989-12-21 1990-12-18 Apparatus for the growth of biological material

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU6918691A (en)
GB (1) GB8928851D0 (en)
WO (1) WO1991009934A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL1004961C2 (en) * 1997-01-09 1998-07-13 Dsm Nv Monolith reactor.

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2952588A (en) * 1957-08-21 1960-09-13 American Sterilizer Co Device for cultivating bacteria
WO1986002944A1 (en) * 1984-11-07 1986-05-22 Albright & Wilson Limited Improvements relating to biotransformation reactions
US4600694A (en) * 1985-05-24 1986-07-15 Clyde Robert A Apparatus for harvesting cells
EP0253774A1 (en) * 1986-05-07 1988-01-20 Ente per le nuove tecnologie, l'energia e l'ambiente (ENEA) A process for biological reactions using support-immobilized cells and an apparatus for carrying out the same

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2952588A (en) * 1957-08-21 1960-09-13 American Sterilizer Co Device for cultivating bacteria
WO1986002944A1 (en) * 1984-11-07 1986-05-22 Albright & Wilson Limited Improvements relating to biotransformation reactions
US4600694A (en) * 1985-05-24 1986-07-15 Clyde Robert A Apparatus for harvesting cells
EP0253774A1 (en) * 1986-05-07 1988-01-20 Ente per le nuove tecnologie, l'energia e l'ambiente (ENEA) A process for biological reactions using support-immobilized cells and an apparatus for carrying out the same

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL1004961C2 (en) * 1997-01-09 1998-07-13 Dsm Nv Monolith reactor.
WO1998030323A1 (en) * 1997-01-09 1998-07-16 Dsm N.V. Monolithic reactor

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8928851D0 (en) 1990-02-28
AU6918691A (en) 1991-07-24

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