Jeffrey A Stock

US Patent:

20120237963, Sep 20, 2012

Filed:

Mar 12, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/417376

Inventors:

Cleston C. Lange - Farmington MN, US
William K. Reagen - Stillwater MN, US
Jeffrey W. Stock - Pine City MN, US

International Classification:

C12Q 1/02
C12M 1/00

US Classification:

435 29, 4352891

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for performing compostability tests that provides significantly more data and reveals trends much more quickly than previously described apparatus. In a first aspect, the invention provides an apparatus, comprising: a flowmeter for metering a flow of oxygen-containing gas to a humidifier; a bioreactor comprising a body, a gas inlet mounted on the body and connected to the humidifier, a dispersive element for distributing the flow of humidified gas throughout the body, and a gas outlet; a first moisture trap connected to the outlet a mass flow meter connected to the first moisture trap for accurately measuring the mass flow from the outlet; and a non-dispersive IR detector for measuring the carbon dioxide in the gas from the outlet. Convenient embodiments include a digitally controlled electronic manifold for sequentially directing gas flows from multiple reactors to the analyzer/detector.