Bioreactors

A bioreactor is any manufactured device or system that supports a biologically active environment. In one case, a bioreactor is a vessel in which a chemical process is carried out which involves organisms or biochemically active substances derived from such organisms. This process can either be aerobic or anaerobic. These bioreactors are commonly cylindrical, ranging in size from litres to cubic metres, and are often made of stainless steel.

thumb|right| Biosolids composting plant biofilter mound - note sprinkler visible front right to maintain proper moisture level for optimum functioning

alternative to fossil fuel that uses algae as its source of natural deposits

thumb|upright=1.5|Enclosed chemostat vessel with a continuous and adjustable inflow of medium and outflow of effluent, used for controlled growth of microorganisms. The system maintains a constant volume and level of aeration. The growth rate of the microorganism is controlled by manipulation of the inflow of fresh medium, while the population density is regulated through changing the concentration of the limiting nutrient. This open system allows researchers to maintain the exponential growth phase of cells for use in physiological experiments. A chemostat (from chemical environment is static

combination of a membrane process with a biological wastewater treatment process

thumb|Moss bioreactor|Moss photobioreactor to cultivate [[mosses like Physcomitrella patens at the laboratory scale]] A photobioreactor (PBR) refers to any cultivation system designed for growing photoautotrophic organisms using artificial light sources or solar light to facilitate photosynthesis. Photobioreactors are typically used to cultivate microalgae, cyanobacteria, and some mosses. Photobioreactors can be open systems, such as raceway ponds, which rely upon natural sources of light and carbon dioxide. Closed photobioreactors are flexible systems that can be controlled to the physiologic

free-floating three-dimensional culture of cells

operational technique in biotechnological

device used for cultivating micro or macro algae