Mix and match to investigate sustainable solutions for environmental challenges
Mix and match to investigate sustainable solutions for environmental challenges
About the Modular Bioreactor Platform
Key specifications
Location: Wageningen University & Research
Features: sustainable solutions, micropollutants removal, outdoor constructed wetlands, bio-electrochemical systems, technology trains, treatment trains
The Modular Bioreactor Platform consists of four different systems that can be used in sequence (technology trains) and/or parallel configuration. The platform is specifically suitable for investigating sustainable solutions for environmental challenges, such as water reuse and biorecovery. In brief, it allows investigation of undefined complex waste streams with mixed microbial communities in a diversity of defined reactors.
Equipment
Systems
Standard bioreactors (8 units)
Standard bioreactor system comprises four 3 and 5-liter bioreactors, versatilely operable in continuous, sequencing batch, chemostat, and various other operational modes. A comprehensive automated control system designed to define, monitor, and regulate substrate supply patterns (gases, liquids), while also managing environmental and operational conditions (such as dissolved oxygen concentration, redox potential, pH levels, etc.). During the online analysis process, the reactors are linked to an autosampler, fraction collector, and liquid handler, facilitating automated sampling and sample preparation.
Different reactor types and sizes can be mixed and matched with diverse reactor configurations in the system.
Bio-electrochemical systems (BES, 4 units)
BES enable the efficient conversion of energy through microbial processes. A laboratory-scale BES connected to an automated control and online data monitoring system empowers users to flexibly combine various system configurations. Additionally, the system incorporates pH and conductivity sensors, along with a microbial community sampling port.
High pressure & high temperature reactors (4 units)
Four units of high-pressure and high-temperature (HT) reactors are available. Among them are three 0.4-liter reactors and one 5-liter reactor, enabling users to assess the varying solubility of CH4 and CO2, resulting in biogas meeting the quality standards of our Synthetic Natural Gas under elevated pressure and temperature conditions.
These reactors are equipped with diverse gas composition supplies and various sensors including temperature, pH, redox, and pressure sensors, offering another opportunity to customize system configurations.
Constructed wetlands (CW) (12 m3, 3 units)
Outdoor CWs offer cost-effective and environmentally sustainable solutions, designed to replicate natural processes utilizing plants and soil or alternative matrices for wastewater treatment within controlled environments. We have three 12-m3 CWs, adaptable for various filling materials, and directly fed with municipal wastewater sourced from the Bennekom Wastewater Treatment Plant. Equipped with an autosampler, pH, salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity sensors, these CWs ensure efficient monitoring and management.
Online monitoring tools
Online gas analysis with a Mass Spectrometer (MS)for continuous and automated monitoring of bioreactor and bio-electrochemical gas production (a.o. O2, CO2, H2, CH4, N2,). (Brand and Model: Thermoscientific Prima BT Magnetic field MS).
Online liquid with a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy for continuous and automated monitoring of the nature and characteristics of molecules with an atomics level precision such as organic, inorganic molecules, polymers. (Brand and Model: Magritek Spinsolve 80).
In-line liquid analyses with different sensors (Raman spectrometer, Ultraviolet (UV) sensor, pH, Oxidation-Reduction (ORP) sensor, biomass sensor) for continuous and automated monitoring of various parameters within the bioreactors.
Offline liquid and gas analyses with High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography, Gas Chromatography, and Ion Chromatography for analyses of a wide variety of components.
Online sampling tools
TRACE C2 Sampling
Online Bioreactor Sampling System enables automated sampling of both cell-containing and cell-free samples at preset intervals or specific times. The system is seamlessly integrated with eight bioreactors via presterilized, single-use tubing sets, complete with pumps and valves for meticulous procedure control, ensuring safe and reliable operation over extended durations. Additionally, this system is connected to the Gilson Liquid Handler for enhanced efficiency.
The GX-271 Gilson Liquid Handler
Offers a small footprint, medium capacity liquid handler and autosampler offers small-to-large volume injection, fraction collection, and liquid handling capabilities. Its optional dynamic syringeless pumping system is capable of delivering microliters to hundreds of milliliters, with no change in hardware.
Frequently asked questions
The Modular Bioreactor Platform consists of multiple units of different types of bioreactors that can be used in a cascaded set-up as sequential reactors (technology trains) and/or in parallel configuration to allow for the direct comparison of different reactor systems. The reactors range from standard bioreactors to outdoor constructed wetlands. For more info, see the technical details below.
The flexible arrangement of automatic sampling and analytical equipment enables the investigation of a number of environmental conditions, such as redox, temperature, pressure and pH. It also allows the identification of the compounds transformed and produced by the present microbial community.
The Modular Bioreactor Platform is specifically suitable for investigating sustainable solutions for environmental challenges, such as degradation of (micro)pollutants, sustainable energy generation and recovery of resources from complex waste streams. For more examples on the type of research that can be done, please consult the technical details or related blog posts below.
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