Fluidised Bed Bioreactor with Conductive Particles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Biological wastewater treatment methods require artificial oxygen supply for oxidation of organic matter, which is costly and limited, and existing fluidized bed bioreactors lack electrochemical enhancements for efficient organic matter degradation.
Innovation Solution
A method using a fluidized bed bioreactor with vitreous carbon particles and Geobacter bacteria, where electrons from organic matter oxidation are transferred to electrically conductive particles and then to a counter electrode, facilitating reduction reactions without oxygen supplementation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If artificial oxygen supply is used for biological oxidation of organic matter, then oxidation efficiency is improved, but operating cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Electrically conductive particles serve as an intermediary between Geobacter bacteria and the counter electrode, enabling electron transfer without requiring artificial oxygen supply. The particles facilitate the electrochemical reaction by accepting electrons from bacteria and transferring them to the electrode where reduction of electroactive species occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/aerobic oxygen supply system with an electrochemical system. Instead of forcing oxygen into the system mechanically, electrons are transferred through conductive particles to the counter electrode where reduction reactions occur, substituting the oxygen-dependent biological oxidation with an electrochemical electron transfer process.
2Productivity
If conventional fluidised bed bioreactors are used without electrochemical enhancement, then system simplicity is maintained, but organic matter degradation efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges biological treatment (Geobacter bacteria on fluidised particles) with electrochemical treatment (electron transfer to conductive particles and counter electrode). This combination allows the system to achieve enhanced organic matter degradation through both biological oxidation and electrochemical electron transfer, resolving the contradiction between efficiency and simplicity.
3Productivity
If electrically conductive particles and Geobacter bacteria are added to enhance electron transfer, then biodegradation rate is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Geobacter bacteria possess intrinsic extracellular electron transfer capacity through cytochrome C proteins, enabling them to spontaneously transfer electrons to conductive particles without additional energy input or complex control systems. The system leverages the bacteria's natural capabilities to drive the electrochemical process, improving biodegradation while avoiding excessive complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances biodegradation rates by providing an unlimited electron acceptor and leveraging Geobacter's extracellular electron transfer capacity, allowing real-time monitoring and minimizing biomass production and greenhouse gas emissions.
Implementation Method 1
electrons generated during oxidation of the organic matter are transferred to electrically conductive fluidized particles due to the extracellular electron transfer capacity
Implementation Method 2
oxidising the organic matter present in waste water, wherein electrons generated during oxidation of the organic matter
Implementation Method 3
the electrons from the electrochemical fluidized bed are transferred to another electrode called counter electrode, where they are consumed in the reduction of electroatractive species present in the solution
Implementation Method 4
adding electrically conductive particles of vitreous carbon with a size equal or lower than 1.5 mm to the solution present in the bioreactor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Method for treating waste water in a fluidised bed bioreactor, comprising adding electrically conductive particles to the solution present in the bioreactor, wherein said particles are fluidised in said solution, adding a suspension of bacteria from the genus Geobacter in said bioreactor and oxidising the organic matter present in waste water in the presence of said particles and said bacteria from the genus Geobacter.