The invention relates to a bioreactor (1) comprising multiple substrates (2) made of solid or a semisolid material for the emerse growing of aerophilic, photosynthesizing organisms (3) for use with a light device (6) for providing light (60) for the organisms (3), wherein the bioreactor has a reactor chamber (10) inside which the substrates (2) for growing the organisms (3) are arranged, a gassing device (4) for supplying the organisms (3) with gas (40), and a humidifying device (5) for supplying the organisms (3) with moisture (50), wherein the substrates (2) are formed in pieces and are provided as bulk material (20) in the reaction chamber (10) during operation, wherein through-paths (21) for gas (40) and/or moisture (50) are provided between multiple substrates (2) and the bioreactor (1) is arranged in such a way that the bulk material (20) can be illuminated with light (60) from the light device (6). The invention also relates to a substrate for a bioreactor, a method for generating a biofilm and a use of the biofilm for fertilizing, for upgrading soil or for directly or indirectly feeding people or animals.

A bioreactor includes a housing with a number of removable parts for modular construction and easy assembly or disassembly. The removable parts include a fixed bed and a support for the fixed bed. More than one support may be provided. The multiple supports may interlock with each other or a lid of the bioreactor. The support interlocks with the housing to prevent relative rotation. The multiple supports include a support frame for supporting the fixed bed an allowing fluid to flow through the support frame. The fixed bed forms a peripheral chamber between the support and the housing to hold the fixed bed. One or more probes and tubes may be inserted into the bioreactor to test parameters of or to add to or remove liquid from inside.

A system, comprising a Trickle Bed Reactor (TBR), a microalgae cultivation module, and a feedback module is used to sustainably boost CO2 fixation for growing micro-algae. The TBR comprises a packing material in the form of non-porous particles with a high surface-to-volume ratio, forming a substrate for attachment of Volatile Fatty Acid (VFA) producing microbes, fed with CO2 (and/or CO), H2, nutrients, and a moistening liquid. The TBR output is fed to the microalgae cultivation module which uses micro-algae selected or adapted for increased productivity in the presence of VFAs. No CO2 needs to be fed to the microalgae cultivation module. At least part of the output of the microalgae cultivation module is fed by the feedback module back to the TBR either as a source of nutrients or for as a means backflushing for unclogging or expulsing the packing material from the TBR for cleaning/disinfection. The overall CO2 balance of the system operation is negative.

A system and method for the production of microbial consortiums and by-product material is provided. A physical containment system comprising phase spaces arranged in a discrete order to favor specific biological reactions is also provided. Phase profiles and phase data sets include the pre-determined physical and biological parameters for the phase space transitions. Movement of material from one phase to the next is hydraulically balanced enabling working fluid to continuously move in a fixed direction and rate of flow. Continuous monitoring of phase profiles and phase data sets provide feedback to the system enabling alteration of the conditions in the system to control reactions therein.

Bioreactors for production and recovery of medium chain carboxylates from organic biomass are disclosed. Methods for improved production and recovery of medium chain carboxylates from organic biomass are also disclosed. The bioreactors can be used as a chain-elongation bioreactor, and a method of use thereof results in improved production and recovery of medium chain carboxylates from organic biomass. The bioreactor includes a shell defined by one or more walls and a length, and a plurality of porous hollow fiber membranes placed inside the reactor for continuous liquid-liquid extraction, as well as granular activated carbon (GAC) as biocarriers. The plurality of hollow fiber membranes is mounted such that a percentage of the length of the shell remains unoccupied by the plurality of porous hollow fiber membranes.

An apparatus for levelling a bioprocessing device includes a load cell having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being configured for attachment to a base surface. The apparatus further includes a levelling mechanism operatively connected to the second portion of the load cell, the second portion configured for attachment to a device surface, the device surface being in operative contact with a vessel of the bioprocessing device during use. The levelling mechanism is selectively adjustable to move the device surface relative to the base surface utilizing data from the load cell.

An apparatus for culturing cells includes a bioreactor. The bioreactor may be modular and may include in a chamber a fixed bed, such as an unstructured or structured fixed bed (such as a spiral bed) for culturing cells, with a return column arranged centrally within the chamber. The modular bioreactor may include a plurality of structured fixed bed arranged in a stacked configuration. The modular bioreactor may include an outer casing forming a space for conditioning (e.g., insulating, heating, cooling) at least a chamber in which cells are cultured. The bioreactor may also include an impeller with radially curved blades, and may also suspend the impeller so that it may move from side-to-side and align with an external drive. Related methods are also disclosed.

Disclosed is a method and a device for biological production of sulfuric acid. The disclosure allows the use of high concentrations of sulfur as a feed for microbiological oxidation, resulting in high conversion of sulfur to sulfuric acid and, consequently, high sulfuric acid yields, which are obtained in an environmentally friendly way.

An apparatus for culturing cells includes a bioreactor. The bioreactor may be modular and may include in a chamber a fixed bed, such as an unstructured or structured fixed bed (such as a spiral bed) for culturing cells, with a return column arranged centrally within the chamber. The modular bioreactor may include a plurality of structured fixed bed arranged in a stacked configuration. The modular bioreactor may include an outer casing forming a space for conditioning (e.g., insulating, heating, cooling) at least a chamber in which cells are cultured. The bioreactor may also include an impeller with radially curved blades, and may also suspend the impeller so that it may move from side-to-side and align with an external drive. Related methods are also disclosed.

An apparatus and method for T-cell separation, activation, transduction and expansion. Three-dimensional (3D) bioreactors may be employed that include antibody coatings. Such 3D bioreactors can be employed for T-cell separation from peripheral blood mononuclear cells including attachment of T-cells to the 3D bioreactor surface for activation and transduction by lentivirus vectors to produce CAR T-cells. The CAR T-cells can then be expanded in a separate downstream bioreactor therein providing a scalable automated system.