Outdoor Bioreactor UV Shielding and Temperature Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bioremediation technologies face challenges with microorganism dormancy methods that result in cell loss, limited species availability, and inefficiencies due to environmental conditions such as extreme temperatures and UV radiation, which hinder effective degradation of contaminants in outdoor applications.

Innovation Solution

An outdoor bioreactor system with a dark coating to protect against UV radiation and a heat-reflecting coating, combined with a portable air conditioner for temperature control, and an auger system for space-efficient nutrient delivery, allowing for the growth and application of microorganisms in harsh environments without the need for enclosures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If microorganisms are placed in dormancy for shelf life, then product storage is enabled, but cell loss occurs and viability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshelf lifeVSAvoidmicroorganism viability

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of microorganisms from dormant (in commercial products) to actively growing (in the bioreactor system). By maintaining continuous growth through nutrient supply and optimal environmental conditions, the system eliminates the need for dormancy-induced shelf life while preserving 100% viability. The microorganisms are applied directly from the bioreactor without any dormancy treatment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of stationary object

If spores are used for better shelf life, then storage stability improves, but germination time increases and species selection is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage stabilityVSAvoidgermination time

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by not using spores at all. Instead of inducing dormancy and then requiring germination, the system maintains microorganisms in a continuously growing vegetative state throughout storage and application. This eliminates the germination delay entirely, as microorganisms are applied directly in their active metabolic state from the bioreactor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of manufacture

If bioreactor is placed outdoors, then space and enclosure costs are reduced, but microorganism growth is hindered by extreme temperatures and UV radiation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidenvironmental stress

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful environmental factors (UV radiation and extreme temperatures) into beneficial design features. The dark-colored exterior absorbs UV radiation and converts it to heat, while the transparent domed lid allows sunlight for plant growth. The greenhouse effect traps heat to maintain optimal temperatures. What were originally harmful factors become mechanisms for temperature control and energy capture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The bioreactor employs composite structural design combining dark-colored heat-absorbing materials for the exterior with transparent materials for the lid. This composite approach allows simultaneous UV protection (through dark exterior), heat retention (through greenhouse effect), and light transmission (through transparent lid), creating a self-regulating outdoor environment suitable for microorganism cultivation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Reliability

If enclosure is used to protect bioreactor, then microorganism growth conditions improve, but space requirements and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrowth conditionsVSAvoidenclosure structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bioreactor structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: the dark exterior provides UV shielding and heat absorption, the transparent domed lid provides structural protection while allowing sunlight penetration for photosynthetic organisms, and the enclosed space creates a controlled microenvironment. This multi-functional design achieves reliable growth conditions without requiring separate protective enclosures for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10981818B2Outdoor apparatus and methods to treat wastes, wastewater and contaminated water bodies

Publication Date: 2021.04.20 CANELLO NICOLAS

AI summary

The technology relates to an apparatus, methods and applications to grow microorganisms on-site to treat contaminated environments. The apparatus is designed to function under a wide range of environmental conditions including extreme cold, extreme heat and direct exposure to sunlight. Such environments normally reduce the shelf-life of the organisms in the storage chamber that feeds the fermenter where they are being grown. These environments can also lower the growth rate of the organisms in the fermenter causing diminished cell output. Quite often the optimum point of application for the organisms is outdoor and too far from structures with appropriate protection from ultraviolet radiation from the sun or from excessive cold or hot weather. The technology in the application addresses these issues.