Automated biological growth and dispensing apparatus

Abstract

An automated biological growth and dispensing apparatus utilizing a modular growing tank which is removable for replacement by another growing tank. Mechanisms for the delivery of air, water and/or nutrients are adapted to permit the growing tank to be readily coupled and uncoupled for easy and inexpensive replacement. Mechanisms for agitation may be integral and removable with the growing tank or may be adapted for a quick connection and disconnection with the growing tank. The growing tank may be disposable and each new growing tank may be provided as a sealed container including a starting amount of a biomass and/or nutrient.

1 . An apparatus for growing bacteria comprising:
 a. a base assembly, and   b. a removable modular tank unit;   the tank unit coupling to and removable from the base apparatus as for replacement by a similar modular unit,   the tank unit comprising a modular bio-generation tank, an agitation motor and an impeller,   the tank having a top, a bottom, a side wall extending upwardly from the bottom, and a tank outlet for flow of fluid from the tank at a height above the bottom,   the tank outlet comprising an overflow outlet for flow of fluid from the tank under gravity when fluid in the tank is at a height above a height of the overflow outlet,   the top of the tank is open upwardly providing a tank inlet opening, the agitation motor coupled to the bottom of the tank,   the motor coupled to the impeller in the tank through the bottom of the tank to rotate the impeller in the tank,   the impeller disposed in the tank for rotation about the axis directing fluid impinging on the impeller radially outwardly into the side wall and up the side wall thereby creating a standing vortex,   the base assembly comprising a delivery manifold, a water delivery system, an air delivery system, a nutrient delivery system, a power source for the motor and a controller,   the delivery manifold removably coupled to and uncoupled from the tank unit via an upper quick connect and disconnect arrangement engaging the top of the tank such that when coupled to the tank unit the manifold comprises a top lid covering the tank inlet opening,   the manifold carrying a water inlet for delivery of water into the tank when the manifold is coupled to the tank unit, an air inlet for delivery of air into the tank when the manifold is coupled to the tank unit, and a nutrient inlet for delivery of nutrients into the tank when the manifold is coupled to the tank unit;   the water delivery system delivering water to the water inlet,   the air delivery system delivering air to the air inlet,   the nutrient delivery system delivering nutrients to the nutrient inlet,   the power source removably coupled to and uncoupled from to tank unit via a lower quick connect and disconnect arrangement for coupling to and uncoupling from the tank unit by engaging the motor at the bottom of the tank such that when coupled to the tank unit the power source provides power to the motor to rotate the impeller,   wherein the impeller is rotatable about the axis to create the standing vortex of fluid in the tank to raise the fluid in the tank up the side wall to heights within the tank which increase with increased speed of rotation of the impeller and the impeller is rotatable at speeds which raise the fluid in the tank up the side wall in the tank to heights above the tank outlet for discharge of fluid from the tank via the tank outlet,   the controller controlling operation of the motor to mix fluid in the tank by rotating the impeller at speeds which do not raise the fluid in the tank to the height of the tank outlet, and to discharge fluid from the tank by rotating the impeller at speeds which raise the fluid in the tank to heights above the tank outlet.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the motor is coupled to the impeller by a shaft extending in fluid sealed relation through the bottom of the tank to the impeller within the tank. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  characterized in that the motor is magnetically coupled to the impeller through the bottom of the tank. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  characterized in that the air delivery system comprises an air fan to blow air via the air inlet opening into the tank and into contact with fluid in the tank. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  characterized in that the air delivery system comprises an electrically powered air fan carried by the top lid to blow air through an air opening in the lid through the tank inlet opening into the tank and into contact with fluid in the tank. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  characterized in that the water delivery system comprises a source of water and water control valves movable between open and closed positions to control water flow to the tank. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  characterized in that the nutrient is a liquid and the nutrient delivery system comprises a nutrient reservoir, a nutrient pump controllable to dispense controlled quantities of the nutrient to the tank. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 2  characterized in that the air delivery system comprises an electrically powered air fan carried by the top lid to blow air through an air opening in the lid through the tank inlet opening into the tank and into contact with fluid in the tank,
 characterized in that the water delivery system comprises a source of water and water control valves movable between open and closed positions to control water flow to the tank, and 
 characterized in that the nutrient is a liquid and the nutrient delivery system comprises a nutrient reservoir, a nutrient pump controllable to dispense controlled quantities of the nutrient to the tank. 
 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the side wall is generally circular in cross-section and disposed generally coaxially about a generally vertically disposed axis. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the tank unit is coupled to and removable from the base unit without the use of tools. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  characterized in that a plurality of said modular bio-generation tank units are provided,
 each tank unit carries within the interior of the tank for shipment and storage prior to use with starter materials selected from one or more of a batch starter population of bacteria, nutrients and water, 
 a closure removably coupled to the tank for retaining the starter materials therein prior to coupling the tank unit to the base assembly. 
 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein one or more of the starter materials is provided within the tank in a separate container to keep one of the starter materials confined or separated from other of the starter materials. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein when the tank unit is coupled to the manifold, the tank is closed to fluid flow therefrom other than an upper opening which is closed by the lid, and the overflow outlet.