Patent ID: 8551762

Claim:
Apparatus useful for feeding a particulate starter material comprising nutrient and bacteria to a mixing tank, for solubilizing the starter material inside the mixing tank, for promoting growth of the bacteria and for discharging an aqueous slurry comprising the bacteria from the mixing tank, the apparatus comprising: a housing having a frame and a releasable cover; a particulate matter feeder unit; a feeder drive assembly supported by the frame and releasably engaged with the particulate matter feeder unit to allow dispensing of particulate starter material; a liquid flow control system; a mixing tank disposed at least partially below the particulate matter feeder unit to receive particulate starter material dispensed from the feeder unit; an aqueous slurry discharging device in fluid communication with the mixing tank that permits discharge of the slurry after sufficient residence time within the mixing tank; a microprocessor to control the feeder drive assembly and the liquid flow control system; a pressurized water supply controlled by the liquid flow control system to supply water to the mixing tank; and a power supply connected to the feeder drive assembly, liquid flow control system, and microprocessor; wherein the particulate matter feeder unit comprises a dam and, a rotatable feeder cup having a single feed chamber disposed below the dam, and wherein the dam and feeder cup cooperate to control a flow of particulate matter downwardly through the feeder unit; wherein the mixing tank comprises a bottom having a first drain port and wherein the frame comprises a lower support plate having a second drain port that is in fluid communication with the first drain port; wherein the aqueous slurry discharging device comprises a rigid overflow drain tube having a lower end that provides a fluid-tight seal at the first drain port and having an upper end that is at least partially disposed in a substantially central location inside the mixing tank; wherein the upper end of the rigid overflow drain tube comprises at least one inlet port and at least two oppositely disposed scuppers.