Abstract:
A method for removing a target compound from a liquid can include arranging two active surfaces so as to be separated by a distance. The active surfaces can be placed within a flow of the liquid and can be capable of supporting an electrical charge, biological growth, and/or enzymes and proteins. The method can further include developing a population of microorganisms concentrated on the active surfaces where the population of microorganisms is configured to or capable of transformation of the target compounds. The method can further include developing enzymes or proteins concentrated on the active surfaces where the enzymes or proteins are configured to or capable of transformation of the target compounds. The method can further include applying a potential difference between the two active surfaces. The microorganisms and the potential difference can be sufficient in combination and/or with specific nutrients to remove the target compound from the liquid and maintain the population of microorganisms. The enzymes and proteins and the potential difference can be sufficient in combination to remove the target compound from the liquid.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for capture and sequestration of CO2, SOx, NOx, and/or other compounds present in industrial waste streams and use of the captured waste as a nutrient source to support a microbial population. The microbial population can use the nutrients from the industrial waste stream and an energy source such as sunlight or a hydrocarbon deposit for the production of biomass, heavy metals recovery, and the generation of methane and other biogases. Biomass can be processed to produce a variety of hydrocarbon fuels, lubricants, and the like.
Abstract:
Dissolved selenium is removed from contaminated water by treating the water in a reactor containing selected endemic and other selenium reducing organisms. Microbes may be isolated from the specific water or imported from other selenium contaminated water, The microbes are then screened for ability to reduce selenium under the site specific environmental conditions. The selected microbes are optimized for selenium reduction, then established in a high density biofilm within a reactor. The selenium contaminated water is passed through the reactor with optimized nutrient mix added as needed. The elemental selenium is precipitated and removed from the water.
Abstract:
A method for supplying freely available electrons to microorganisms and/or enzymes includes applying a voltage and amperage to electrodes to create a free electron field between the electrodes, thus directly supplying electrons to the microorganisms and/or enzymes to enhance the effectiveness of the microorganisms and/or enzymes. Supplying the microorganisms and/or enzymes with electrons enhance their effectiveness in transforming and/or removing one or more target compounds from the liquid to be treated.
Abstract:
A modified bioreactor support material having high surface area for removing a contaminant (16) from fluids can include a substrate (10) having a functionalized surface, The functionalized surface can have inorganic or organic non-living functional groups, such that the functional groups bind to or chemically alter the contaminant. A method for making a modified bioreactor support material can include activating a suitable substrate (10) and attaching a biologically-derived functional group carrier such as living microbes (18) or non-living materials (14) derived from living materials to the activated substrate (10).
Abstract:
A method for supplying freely available electrons to microorganisms and/or enzymes includes applying a voltage and amperage to electrodes to create a free electron field between the electrodes, thus directly supplying electrons to the microorganisms and/or enzymes to enhance the effectiveness of the microorganisms and/or enzymes. Supplying the microorganisms and/or enzymes with electrons enhance their effectiveness in transforming and/or removing one or more target compounds from the liquid to be treated.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a method for enhancing biogenic methanogenesis in carbon-containing materials. The process includes evaluating existing geophysical conditions in a site, identifying optimal geophysical conditions for biogenic methanogenesis, introducing an enhancing fluid into the site configured to alter the existing geophysical conditions, assessing the altered geophysical conditions, comparing the altered geophysical conditions to the optimal geophysical conditions, and repeating the evaluating, introducing, assessing, and comparing steps until the altered geophysical conditions more closely resemble the optimal geophysical conditions. The enhancing fluid contains microorganisms, chemicals, and/or nutrients.