The fibrous bed bioreactor¹ is an apparatus and method for converting organic materials such as sugars and acids into other organic materials such as organic acids and salts with immobilized cells. Using a genetically engineered bacterium, Clostridium beijerinckii with a fibrous bed bioreactor shows promise in the production of butanol.²

The fermentation cells may be homolactic, homoacetic and propionic bacteria. The cells are immobilized on the surface of and within convoluted sheets of a fibrous support material such as polyester cloth. Reactant-bearing fluids are caused to flow between the opposing surfaces of the sheets.

External Links

¹ United States Patent 5563069

²Ohio State University