Static solid state bioreactor and method for using same

Abstract

A static solid state bioreactor and method of using same. The bioreactor comprises a vessel having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end having a sealable opening. A gas distribution system in communication with the upper end and the lower end of the vessel. A liquid distribution system in communication with the upper end of the vessel. A liquid recovery system in communication with the lower end of the vessel. A material removal system disposed at the lower end of the vessel for removing biomass from the vessel.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method of performing static solid state fermentation, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. mixing a bulking agent with a biomass to form a mixture;   b. adding the mixture to a static solid state bioreactor;   b. irrigating the mixture with an aqueous solution;   c. flowing a gas through the mixture; and,   d. maintaining a microorganism supporting environment within the mixture by calculating a specific heat of an aqueous solution flow, calculating a specific heat of a gas flow, and balancing the aqueous solution flow with the gas flow.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising the step of maintaining a ratio of mass flow per cross sectional area per unit time of the gas flow to the aqueous solution flow between 0.25 and 0.4. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising the step of adding an inoculum comprising at least one microorganism to the biomass prior to the step of mixing a bulking agent with a biomass. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , further comprising the step of adding one or more enzymes to the biomass prior to the step of adding an inoculum to the biomass. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20 , further comprising the step of adding an antibiotic to the biomass prior to the step of adding enzymes to the biomass. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising the step of collecting the liquid solution from a lower end of the biomass and recycling the liquid solution back on to an upper end of the mixture. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 22 , further comprising the step of treating the liquid solution to improve quality before recycling the liquid solution back on to an upper end of the mixture. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the bulking agent maintains a hydraulic conductivity of the mixture greater than 10 −4  cm/sec. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the bulking agent limits the gas flow back-pressure to less than 200 mm of water head. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising the step of reversing the direction of a gas flow through the mixture. 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . (canceled) 
     
     
         43 . (canceled) 
     
     
         44 . (canceled) 
     
     
         45 . (canceled) 
     
     
         46 . (canceled) 
     
     
         47 . (canceled) 
     
     
         48 . (canceled) 
     
     
         49 . (canceled)