Patent ID: 8093040

Claim:
An automated method for growing bacteria continuously and for periodically harvesting the bacteria, the method comprising the steps of: introducing into a bacteria growth chamber an initial charge of water, starter bacteria and nutrient to form a bacteria-containing fluid; continuously introducing air into the growth chamber above the bacteria-containing fluid; continuously recirculating the bacteria-containing fluid by withdrawing fluid through a bottom outlet in the growth chamber; pressurizing the fluid in a recirculation pump; and discharging the pressurized fluid back into the growth chamber in a tangential direction to establish a vortex of bacteria-containing fluid inside the growth chamber; periodically introducing pulses of fill water into the growth chamber, the pulses being spaced apart at predetermined intervals and each lasting for a predetermined duration; periodically harvesting bacteria through a bacteria harvesting port disposed slightly above the vortex in the growth chamber, said periodic harvesting occurring at times corresponding to the pulsed introduction of fill water into the growth chamber; periodically introducing a flow of flush water into a drain line communicating with the bacteria harvesting port, the flow of flush water commencing substantially at the same time as the pulses of fill water and being of sufficient quantity and duration to flush bacteria received through the bacteria harvesting port down the drain line to a use site or accumulation vessel; and periodically introducing predetermined quantities of nutrient into the growth chamber to replenish nutrients consumed by the growing bacteria.