US 12,247,194 B2
Bioreactors with integrated catalytic nitrogen fixation
Brian Sefton, Cupertino, CA (US)
Assigned to Oakbio, Inc., Emeryville, CA (US)
Filed by Oakbio, Inc., Emeryville, CA (US)
Filed on Nov. 20, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/100,216.
Application 17/100,216 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2020/061484, filed on Nov. 20, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/938,046, filed on Nov. 20, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0147787 A1, May 20, 2021
Int. Cl. C12M 1/00 (2006.01); B01J 19/24 (2006.01); C01B 3/02 (2006.01); C01B 3/48 (2006.01); C01B 32/40 (2017.01); C01C 1/04 (2006.01); B01D 3/14 (2006.01); B01D 53/047 (2006.01); C25B 1/04 (2021.01)
CPC C12M 43/00 (2013.01) [B01J 19/245 (2013.01); C01B 3/025 (2013.01); C01B 3/48 (2013.01); C01B 32/40 (2017.08); C01C 1/0417 (2013.01); C12M 29/00 (2013.01); B01D 3/14 (2013.01); B01D 53/047 (2013.01); B01J 2219/0004 (2013.01); C01B 2203/0233 (2013.01); C01B 2203/0283 (2013.01); C01B 2203/068 (2013.01); C25B 1/04 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising: a nitrogen separator that separates air into a nitrogen-rich gas stream and an oxygen-rich gas stream;
a nitrogen fixation reactor in fluid communication with the nitrogen separator to receive the nitrogen-rich stream, and further configured to receive hydrogen, and configured to react nitrogen with hydrogen to produce an ammonia stream; and
a bioreactor comprising a liquid medium including a population of microbes, the bioreactor in fluid communication with the nitrogen fixation reactor to receive a stream of a fixed nitrogen compound derived from the ammonia stream to support growth of the population of microbes; and
wherein the nitrogen separator is in fluid communication with the bioreactor to supply at least some of the oxygen-rich stream produced by the nitrogen separator to the bioreactor.