La Corporation De L'ecole Polytechnique

La Societe De Recherche Snc Inc.

Bechara F Safi

Denis Rouleau

Raymond Mayer

The disclosure herein describes a bioreactor for the biochemical treatment of liquids containing organic matter. It comprises a container with an inlet for receiving liquid to be treated with at least one horizontal plate to support a bed of microorganism cells which react with the organic matter to form a volatile gas. An aperture is provided in the plate to provide liquid flow communication between upper and lower compartments on either sides of the plate. A blockage element extends over the aperture to prevent the liquid and the microorganism cells from returning through the aperture to the lower compartment. An outlet is provided for releasing the gas from the container while a further outlet is used for releasing treated liquid.

Bioreactor

A bioreactor for the biochemical treatment of liquids containing organic matter, comprises an elongated, upwardly extending tubular container having inlet means for receiving the liquid to be treated and outlet means for discharging the treated liquid. A plurality of spaced-apart first and second trays are alternatively arranged above one another inside the container, each tray being apertured to provide liquid flow communication between the inlet and outlet means and adapted to support a respective bed of microorganism cells capable of reacting with the organic matter. The apertures of the first and second trays are arranged relative to one another to cause the liquid to flow laterally across the respective cell beds of the trays as the liquid flows from one tray to another. The bioreactor of the invention is particularly useful for the anaerobic fermentation of aqueous solutions of fermentable sugars, such as bisulfite liquors originating from the pulp and paper industry, to produce ethanol, as well as for the biotreatment of effluents from the cheese industry to reduce the chemical oxygen demand and to produce methane which may be used in the cheese plant to satisfy part of its energy requirement.

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Cartierville, Canada

Bechara F Safi