Centre National De La Recherche Scientifique

Institut National De La Recherche Agronomique

Institut National Polytechnique De Toulouse

Institut National De Recherche Pour L'agriculture, L'alimentation Et L'environnement

Suez Groupe

Nicolas Bernet

Alain Bergel

Théodore Bouchez

Elise Blanchet

Luc Etcheverry

Alain Huyard

Benjamin Erable

Elie Le Quemener

Michel Torrijos

Rene Moletta

Joseph V Thanikal

Sylvain Moreau

Jianghao Tian

Pierre Mauricrace

Eric Trably

A bioelectrochemical reactor () has an anode chamber () having at least two bioanodes (), and an anodic electrolyte () with an anodic electroactive microorganisms,&#x2014;a cathode chamber () with at least one biocathode (), and a cathodic electrolyte () with a cathodic electroactive microorganisms. The anode chamber () is separated from the cathode chamber () by, running from the anode chamber to the cathode chamber, a cation exchange membrane () and an anion exchange membrane (). The cation and anion exchange membranes are separated from each other by an inter-membrane chamber (), and means for applying a potential difference between the interconnected bioanodes and the biocathode/biocathodes. The bioanodes and biocathode/biocathodes have active surfaces such that the total active surface of the biocathode/biocathodes () is greater than the total active surface of the two bioanodes (). The arrangement includes a method for regenerating the activity of the bioanodes of the reactor and to the use of said reactor for the electrosynthesis of organic acids and/or alcohols from organic waste.

Bioelectrochemical reactor with double bioanode, method for anodic regeneration and use of the reactor for microbial electrosynthesis

The invention relates to a method for purifying effluents in an anaerobic reactor () in which the micro-organisms are held by supports, the supports forming a bed which is fixed in a part () of the reactor. The inventive method is characterized in that it includes a step wherein the reactor is backwashed once it has been at least partially clogged, by temporarily suspending the supports. Advantageously, the method includes an initial step for starting the reactor, during which the load of the reactor is increased with a short and constant hydraulic residence time.

Method for purifying effluent in an anaerobic reactor

Growing community of inventors

Cuxac d'Aude, France

Nicolas Bernet