초록 ▼

An automated system and method is provided for cultivating bacteria in a fluid medium and thereafter selectively discharging the fluid medium, wherein an initial supply of the selected strain or strains of bacteria is combined with nutrients and water in a biogenerator in the presence of air to prom

An automated system and method is provided for cultivating bacteria in a fluid medium and thereafter selectively discharging the fluid medium, wherein an initial supply of the selected strain or strains of bacteria is combined with nutrients and water in a biogenerator in the presence of air to promote mixing and bacterial cultivation. The system and method utilize a vortex created by recirculation of the fluid medium to achieve aeration and mixing without substantial foaming. The system and method are particularly useful for supplying bacteria to control grease accumulation in restaurant grease traps. The system and method use a biogeneration chamber which has a cylindrical sidewall and surface on the inner side. Further, the chamber has a top and a conical bottom. The top has inlet ports and a vent port. There is also a outlet port in the conical bottom. The conical bottom also has a orifice and recirculated fluid inlet port that is directed tangentially along the inside surface of the sidewall to create a downwardly spiraling vortex in the biogeneration chamber.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An automated system useful for growing bacteria from a starter population within a predetermined interval and thereafter dispensing the bacteria to perform a utility, the system comprising:a biogeneration chamber having a substantially cylindrical sidewall with an inside surface, a top and a gene

1. An automated system useful for growing bacteria from a starter population within a predetermined interval and thereafter dispensing the bacteria to perform a utility, the system comprising:a biogeneration chamber having a substantially cylindrical sidewall with an inside surface, a top and a generally conical bottom; the top further comprising feed, water and air inlet ports and a vent port; a centrally disposed chamber outlet port in the conical bottom; an orifice element disposed inside the conical bottom near the outlet port; and a recirculated fluid inlet port in the sidewall at a point slightly above the conical bottom, the recirculated fluid inlet port being directed substantially tangentially along the inside surface of the sidewall so as to create a downwardly spiraling vortex in the center of the biogeneration chamber whenever a recirculated fluid is discharged therefrom; at least one timer; at least one bacteria and nutrient feed source communicating with the feed inlet port, said source being controllable by said at least one timer; a water source communicating with the water inlet port through a valve that is controllable by said at least one timer; a pressurized air supply communicating with the air inlet port, the pressurized air supply being controllable by said at least one timer; a vent line communicating with the vent port; a recirculating pump having an inlet communicating with the chamber outlet port and an outlet communicating with the recirculated fluid inlet port; and a valve disposed between the recirculating pump and the recirculated fluid inlet port that is controllable by said timer to divert flow from the recirculating pump to a drain line that also communicates selectively with the chamber outlet port through the valve and the recirculating pump.