Apparatus and Method for Conducting Microbiological Processes

It is well known that many beneficial microbiological processes, especially bacterial processes, take place naturally and each different process involves the activity of different species/genera of bacteria. The speed of catalysis in the relevant bacteria is, however, also dependent on prevailing physico-chemical conditions especially as regards the presence of moisture and oxygen in the bulk material being treated and the temperature. Numerous different microbiological processes have accordingly been proposed in which at least some control of the ambient conditions is exercised with a view to accelerating the microbiological activity.

Furthermore, the use of so-called "BIO-cells" has been proposed for the bioremediation of fuel/hydrocarbon contaminated soils on site and in which oxygen is supplied in the form of air.

There are numerous different human endeavors that result in contamination such as in the mining, industrial, and agricultural fields and each generally produces associated waste that requires disposal.

Any site that has contamination is morally if not legally obliged to select from a wide array of treatment options with efficacy and cost being major factors in making a decision. Many countries rarely consider in situ or on site approaches although, with bulk materials such as soil, they would often be less costly and can be done in a shorter time frame and pose less risk.

In this regard the US Navy's TechData Sheet TDS-2017-ENV (2nd Revision) describes bio cells in which the addition of moisture and nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus can be used to enhance microbial activity and wherein provision is made for the removal of leachate from soil being processed in a large container. The bio cell also provides for the extraction of volatile organic compounds released by passing the off-gases through a granulated activated carbon adsorption system. Whilst providing an effective bioremediation expedient, the bio cells described in this publication nevertheless consume energy and thus have associated with them a considerable operating cost. Also, these bio cells operate at ambient temperature and the microbiological activity is associated with the prevailing temperature. This is so to the extent that in certain climates in which the temperature decreases substantially in winter months, bioremediation sites need to be closed for the coldest part of the year.

It is to be noted that whilst the better-known microbial processes for the degradation of hydrocarbons are aerobic, it is common cause that there are many anaerobic and even anoxic microbes that can effectively bio-remediate soils as well as extract valuable components from subdivided ores or the like.

A need is perceived for a method of conducting a microbiological process on bulk materials in which the microbiological process is carried out under conditions that enhance microbiological activity, and therefore, as a general rule, reduce the time taken for a microbiological process to achieve a predetermined result.

Such a bio cell for the conduct of microbiological processes on bulk materials of the general nature outlined above should be satisfactorily cost-effective. Such a bio cell in application to bulk materials would preferably, although not necessarily, utilize in situ communities and metabolic functionality of microbiological species. Such a bio cell would preferably be relatively easy to move from one site to another.

It is also preferable that a method and apparatus for conducting a microbiological process be one in which the conduct of the process is aimed at reducing the ecological footprint of at least particular situations, especially, although not exclusively, in the bioremediation field. A method and apparatus for conducting such a microbiological process will preferably use offsite control or PLC control utilizing feedback data to adjust feed or physicochemical parameters to enhance bioremediation or bio activity.