Mobile bioremediation systems and methods

Abstract

In some embodiments, a system may reduce contaminants in water. A system may include a biofilm in a container. The biofilm may be formed from one or more bacteria coupled to one or more substrates. The bacteria may be selected to maximize the reduction of contaminants in water. The system may include one or more bacteria generators to provide bacteria to the biofilm and/or one or more air sources to provide an air bubble stream to the container and/or the bacteria generator. In some embodiments, bacteria may be preserved in a starvation phase. Bacteria may be incubated until they reach a starvation phase. The bacteria may then be preserved as beads or immobilized on a substrate. The preserved bacteria may be used in a system for the reduction of contaminants in water.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the methods and apparatus of the present invention will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of presently preferred but nonetheless illustrative embodiments in accordance with the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a system for the reduction of contaminants in water.

FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of a system that includes settling containers for the reduction of contaminants in water.

FIGS. 3A-C depict embodiments of substrates for a system for the reduction of contaminants in water.

FIG. 4A depicts a representation of an embodiment of bacteria coupled to substrate.

FIG. 4B depicts a representation of an embodiment of bacteria coupled to substrate.

FIGS. 5A-B depict graphs that show the change in concentration of benzene over time in an embodiment of a system that includes bacteria in the genus Gordonia.

FIG. 6 depicts a graph that shows the change in concentration of ethylbenzene over time in an embodiment of a system that includes bacteria in the genus Gordonia.

FIG. 7A depicts a graph that shows the change in concentration of benzene over time in an embodiment of a system that includes bacteria in the genus Gordonia but does not include substrate.

FIG. 7B depicts a graph that shows the change in concentration of benzene over time in an embodiment of a system that includes bacteria in the genus Gordonia coupled to a substrate.

FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment of a system for the reduction of contaminants in water.

FIG. 9 depicts an embodiment of a system for the reduction of contaminants in water in which fluid is recycled through multiple containers.

FIG. 10 depicts a graph that shows the change in concentration of benzene over time in an embodiment of a system in which nutrients are not added to the system.

FIG. 11 depicts a flowchart of an embodiment of a method of preserving bacteria.

FIG. 12 depicts a graph that shows the change in concentration of methyl ethyl ketone over time in an embodiment of a system for the reduction of contaminants.

FIG. 13 depicts a graph that shows the change in concentration of trichloroethylene over time in an embodiment of a system for the reduction of contaminants.

FIG. 14 depicts a graph that shows the change in concentration of toluene over time in an embodiment of a system for the reduction of contaminants.

FIG. 15 depicts a graph that shows the change in concentration of m-xylene over time in an embodiment of a system for the reduction of contaminants.

FIG. 16 depicts a graph that shows the change in concentration of p-xylene over time in an embodiment of a system for the reduction of contaminants.

FIG. 17 depicts a graph that shows the change in concentration of o-xylene over time in an embodiment of a system for the reduction of contaminants.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. The drawings may not be to scale. It should be understood that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but to the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A mobile bioremediation system comprising: one or more platforms configured to be movable;one or more containers positioned in or on at least one of the platforms;one or more bacteria generators positioned in or on at least one of the platforms, wherein one or more of the bacteria generators is configured to supply one or more of the bacteria capable of forming at least a portion of a biofilm on subtrate in or on one or more of the containers, and wherein one or more of the bacteria generators is configured to be coupled to at least one of the containers; andone or more air sources positioned on one or more of the platforms, wherein at least one of the air sources is configured to produce an air bubble stream with an average bubble diameter less than approximately 1 mm, and wherein one or more of the air sources is configured to be coupled to at least one container.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the platforms comprise a substantially rectangular and/or a substantially square top surface.

3-4. (canceled)

5. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the platforms is compliant with the shipping requirements for a C-130.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the containers comprises a shape configured to minimize stagnant areas in a container during use.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the containers comprises a shape configured to allowing enhanced use of a top surface of at least one of the platforms.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the containers comprise a footprint that maximizes area used on a top surface of at least one of the platforms.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein an area of a footprint of at least one of the containers is at least three-fourths of the area of a top surface of at least one of the platforms.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the containers has a curved bottom surface.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the containers has a substantially elliptical cross-sectional shape.

12. The system of claim 1, at least one of the containers comprises a shape configured such that substantially all of the liquid in one or more of the containers circulates when mixed with a stirrer during use.

13. (canceled)

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one biofilm in one or more of the containers, wherein at least one of the biofilms comprise one or more bacteria configured to reduce an amount of contaminants in water.

15. (canceled)

16. The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more substrates in one or more of the containers.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the air sources is configured to be coupled to one or more of the bacteria generators.

18-23. (canceled)

24. A method comprising: positioning one or more containers in or on one or more platforms;positioning one or more bacteria generators in or on one or more of the platforms, wherein at least one of the bacteria generators is configured to be coupled to at least one of the containers; andpositioning one or more air sources in or on one or more of the platforms, wherein at least one of the air sources is configured to be coupled to at least one of the containers.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising transporting the platforms to a location.

26. (canceled)

27. A method comprising: coupling one or more bacteria generators in or on at least one platform to at least one container in or on at least one of the platforms, wherein a platform is movable;coupling one or more air sources in or on at least one platform to at least one container in or on at least one of the platforms, wherein a platform is movable;allowing a biofilm to form in or on one or more substrates in one or more of the containers, wherein the biofilm is configured to reduce contaminants in water.

28-42. (canceled)

43. The method of claim 27, further comprising providing bacteria in the genus Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Agrobacterium, Enterobacter, Zoogloea, Gordonia, Caulobacter, or a combination thereof to at least one of the containers.

44. The method of claim 27, further comprising providing Pseudomonas stutzeri, Pseudomonas putida, Bacillus subtilis, Agrobacterium sp., Enterobacter cloacae, Zoogloea sp., Gordonia sp., Caulobacter vibrioides, or a combination thereof to at least one of the containers.

45. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the containers comprises a substantially oval footprint.