Method and apparatus for bio-fuel seeding

Abstract

A method and apparatus is provided for microbial seeding and amendment of traditional alternative fuels production systems and processes using immobilized microbe bioreactors. The system addition utilizes attachment of yeast or other microbial consortia to a substrate to enhance alternative fuels production in fermentation processes. The system allows for the maintenance of a constant concentrated microbial population, thus enhancing alternative fuels production by stabilizing microbial populations. Desired aerobic and anaerobic conditions are maintained using a microbubble aeration device coupled to the Immobilized Microbe Bioreactor (IMBR) seeding reactors. Generation of the microbial populations for seeding requires control of aerobic and anaerobic conditions to ensure growth of a microbial population acclimated to elevated alternative fuels concentrations.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method of producing ethanol comprising:
 a. supplying feed stock into a first container, wherein said feed stock contains at least one type of sugar;   b. measuring the sugar concentration of said feed stock;   c. adjusting said sugar concentration of said feed stock to fall within a predetermined range;   d. introducing said feed stock from said first container into at least one bio-reactor, wherein said at least one bio-reactor comprises:
 (i) a second container; 
 (ii) at least one substrate disposed within said second container, wherein said at least one substrate is inoculated with at least one microbial population, preselected for fermentation capability, and said at least one microbial population propagates on the surface of said at least one substrate; 
   e. adding gas to said bio-reactor using at least one micro bubble generator;   f. fermenting said feed stock within said bio-reactor under substantially anaerobic conditions to generate ethanol;   g. capturing gas vented from said at least one bio-reactor; and   h. delivering said gas to an inlet of said at least one micro bubble generator.