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 range between 15 and 30 degrees BRIX (° Bx);   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 having an interior; 
 (ii) at least one bio-carrier medium disposed within said second container, wherein said at least one bio-carrier medium is inoculated with at least one microbial population, preselected for fermentation capability is immobilized on the surface of said at least one bio-carrier medium using chitin, and said at least one microbial population propagates on the surface of said at least one bio-carrier medium and spreads throughout said interior of said second container; 
   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.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said feed stock comprises at least one of the following: sugars from cellulose, sugarcane juice, sugarcane syrup, bagasse, corn, molasses, fruit juice, sucrose, glucose, fructose, maltose, or syrup containing simple sugars. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one microbial population comprises yeast. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein oxygen is added to said bio-reactor using a micro bubble generator. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of fermenting said feed stock within said bio-reactor to generate ethanol is performed under substantially anaerobic conditions. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of adding at least one nutrient to said feed stock. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of adding at least one antibiotic to said feed stock.