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Patent: Bionest Reactor for the Application of Anaerobic Wastewater Treatment and Bioenergy Recovery
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Patent No. US 7,226,539    Date Issued – June 5, 2007

UH Reference No. 00413 Non-confidential Abstract
Inventors:

Dr. Pingyi Yang, Professor and Graduate Chair
Mr. Liangjie Dong, Project Engineer
Department of Molecular Biosciences & Bioengineering, College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources
Invention Abstract:

Water pollution control due to runoff from agricultural feeding operations is a huge problem nationwide. In the United States, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are working together to improve America’s waters. Researchers at the University of Hawai‘i have developed an unique and efficient anaerobic reactor which removes organic pollutants and produces methane gas. This development solves the problem of biomass flotation and wash-out for treating wastewater containing high lipid and fat. Also, the bioreactor can react effectively at the ambient temperature of 18-35 oC.

The invention has been successfully applied in pilot-scale (capacity of 6,000-8,000 gallons/day) project for dairy wastewater treatment .

A full-scale demonstration project for dairy wastewater treatment and runoff control (supported by U.S. EPA) is operating in Hawaii.
Applications:
  • Reliable reactor for both organic pollutant removals and biogas production
  • Integrate the Bionest reactor with existing lagoon systems or solids/liquid separators
  • Useful for biogas production
  • Can be installed for land limited area
  • Specially designed but not limited to dairy wastewater treatment
Benefits:
  • High organic loading rate which leads to cost effectiveness of both the construction and operation of the reactor
  • Easy startup, reliable operation
  • High methane content of biogas
  • High concentration biomass which can be maintained from different positions of the bionest reactor
  • Reactions can be separated in different layers and stages which reduce the inhibition of milk fat and lipids
  • Long SRT (Solids Retention Time) can be achieved and is relatively independent from HRT (Hydraulic Retention Time)
  • More Reaction space and more effective reaction time are provided than conventional UASB (upflow anaerobic sludge blanket)
  • High loading rate and high removal rate can be achieved at a temperature of 18-35 oC.
Licensing Contact:

Lisa Matsunaga, Office of Technology Transfer & Economic Development
2800 Woodlawn Drive, Suite 280
Honolulu, HI 96822
Phone (808) 539-3826, Fax (808) 539-3833, Email matsunag@hawaii.edu
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Last updated on 10/19/2007