초록 ▼

The present invention is directed to a bioreactor system for the remediation of contaminated liquid streams. The bioreactor system is composed of at least one and often a series of sub-units referred to as bioreactor modules. The modular nature of the system allows bioreactor systems be subdivided i

The present invention is directed to a bioreactor system for the remediation of contaminated liquid streams. The bioreactor system is composed of at least one and often a series of sub-units referred to as bioreactor modules. The modular nature of the system allows bioreactor systems be subdivided into smaller units and transported to waste sites where they are combined to form bioreactor systems of any size. The bioreactor modules further comprises reactor fill materials in the bioreactor module that remove the contaminants from the contaminated stream. To ensure that the stream thoroughly contacts the reactor fill materials, each bioreactor module comprises means for directing the flow of the stream in a vertical direction and means for directing the flow of the stream in a horizontal direction. In a preferred embodiment, the reactor fill comprises a sulfate reducing bacteria which is particularly useful for precipitating metals from acid mine streams.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A system for removing contaminants from a liquid stream, said system comprising:a bioreactor module having an inner portion and an outer portion, the bioreactor module comprising:a reactor fill in the inner portion of the bioreactor module for removing contaminants from the liquid

[ We claim:] [1.] A system for removing contaminants from a liquid stream, said system comprising:a bioreactor module having an inner portion and an outer portion, the bioreactor module comprising:a reactor fill in the inner portion of the bioreactor module for removing contaminants from the liquid stream;means for directing the stream in a horizontal direction, the means being in the inner portion of the bioreactor module;means for directing the stream in a vertical direction, the vertical directing means being in the inner portion of the bioreactor module; andmeans for connecting the bioreactor module to another bioreactor module. [16.] A method for removing contaminants from a liquid stream, said method comprising the steps of:providing a modular bioreactor system for removing contaminants from a stream, the bioreactor system comprising at least one bioreactor module unit having an inner portion and an outer portion, the bioreactor module comprising:a reactor fill in the bioreactor module, the reactor fill having a bioreactor material for removing contaminants from the liquid stream;means for directing a stream in a horizontal direction, the means being in the inner portion of said reactor module;means for directing a stream in a vertical direction, the means being in the inner portion of said reactor module; andmeans for connecting the reactor module to another reactor module, said means on the outer portion of the bioreactor module; andpassing a contaminated liquid stream through the bioreactor module system so that the contaminated stream is contacted with the reactor fill to remove contaminants from the stream. A method for removing contaminants from a liquid stream as recited in claim 16, further comprising the step of directing the flow of the stream in a horizontal direction. A method for removing contaminants from a liquid stream as recited in claim 16, further comprising the step of directing the flow of the stream in a vertical direction. A method for removing contaminants from a liquid stream as recited in claim 16, further comprising the step of regulating the flow of the liquid stream through the bioreactor modular system.