Abstract: This disclosure relates to physical selection, deselection or outselection for smaller, less dense, sheared or compressed particles in sludge, wherein the first deselection step occurs at the reactor or at a clarification step, by separately deselecting for such particles and then a second deselection step occurs in an external selector. This double deselection promotes the more efficient removal of slow settling particles, while simultaneously allowing for maintenance of multiple solids residence times for fast and slow growing organisms. The deselection in a clarifier occurs typically at the periphery of the tank or at the surface of a blanket using a positive or negative pressure device. Structures such as slotted or perforated plates, pipes or manifolds can be used to assist in such deselection. Baffles can also be used for such deselection.

Abstract: This invention proposes the use of Thermal Hydrolysis (or Thermal Carbonization) at different temperatures and pressures in alternate waste streams to achieve an optimal mix of high digestion rates and pasteurization rates while still achieving large viscosity reduction. In the disclosed embodiments means of combining Thermal Hydrolysis (or Thermal Carbonization) and Pasteurization including but not limited to placing the waste streams in parallel, placing them in series, utilizing heat input in parallel and heat exchangers in series are explored to optimize hydrolysis rates, minimize the use of high pressure tanks, optimize energy used, and manage viscosity characteristics of the solids.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to physical selection, deselection or outselection for smaller, less dense, sheared or compressed particles in sludge, wherein the first deselection step occurs at the reactor or at a clarification step, by separately deselecting for such particles and then a second deselection step occurs in an external selector. This double deselection promotes the more efficient removal of slow settling particles, while simultaneously allowing for maintenance of multiple solids residence times for fast and slow growing organisms. The deselection in a clarifier occurs typically at the periphery of the tank or at the surface of a blanket using a positive or negative pressure device. Structures such as slotted or perforated plates, pipes or manifolds can be used to assist in such deselection. Baffles can also be used for such deselection.

Abstract: A methodology, system and apparatus are provided that include anoxic biofilms to perform partial denitrification and anammox (PdNA) reactions. The PdNA reactions can facilitate process intensification and carbon efficient biological nitrogen removal. The anoxic biofilms can be placed in a pre-anoxic zone or a downstream anoxic zone, where the biofilm and reactions are managed, including using storage compounds, to overcome mass transfer limitations in the biofilm. The methodology, system and apparatus can, when compared to state-of-the art technologies, improve the concentration gradient or reduce mass transfer limitations to facilitate PdNA reactions.

Abstract: This invention proposes the use of Thermal Hydrolysis (or Thermal Carbonization) at different temperatures and pressures in alternate waste streams to achieve an optimal mix of high digestion rates and pasteurization rates while still achieving large viscosity reduction. In the disclosed embodiments means of combining Thermal Hydrolysis (or Thermal Carbonization) and Pasteurization including but not limited to placing the waste streams in parallel, placing them in series, utilizing heat input in parallel and heat exchangers in series are explored to optimize hydrolysis rates, minimize the use of high pressure tanks, optimize energy used, and manage viscosity characteristics of the solids.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for removing constituents from an influent. The apparatus includes a biological processor that receives a water mixture as influent and outputs a liquor, a solid-liquid separator that receives the liquor and separates the liquor into a liquid and a solid; and a biofilm media that includes at least one media surface. The biofilm media may have a biofilm mass, biofilm volume, biofilm density, biofilm thickness, hydraulic retention time or solids residence time. The at least one media surface grows a biofilm that removes one or more constituents contained in the influent. The biofilm mass, biofilm volume, biofilm density, biofilm thickness, hydraulic retention time or solids residence time can be controlled by at least one of a physical process, a biological process or a chemical process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selecting, retaining or bioaugmenting solids in an activated sludge process for improving wastewater treatment using screens. The screens can be used to separate and retain solids based on size, compressibility or shear resistance. The screens are used to separate and select slow growing organisms, faster settling organisms, or materials added to absorb, treat or remove constituents in the activated sludge process. A swapping screen arrangement provides another means of selecting various particles. The exposed shear rate or time, particle compression, or SRTs can be adjusted manually and/or automatically in response to detected readings from an instrument such as a spectrophotometer or other optical approaches to optimize selection of organisms.

Abstract: This invention proposes the use of Thermal Hydrolysis (or Thermal Carbonization) at different temperatures and pressures in alternate waste streams to achieve an optimal mix of high digestion rates and pasteurization rates while still achieving large viscosity reduction. In the disclosed embodiments means of combining Thermal Hydrolysis (or Thermal Carbonization) and Pasteurization including but not limited to placing the waste streams in parallel, placing them in series, utilizing heat input in parallel and heat exchangers in series are explored to optimize hydrolysis rates, minimize the use of high pressure tanks, optimize energy used, and manage viscosity characteristics of the solids.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to nitrogen removal with carbon addition, including for wastewater treatment. The denitrification reaction may be terminated at an intermediate nitrite product which is supplied to the anammox reaction. Nitrogen may be removed by use of an electron donor source including, but not limited to, acetate or glycerol at a specific zone. The electron donor may be used to convert nitrate to nitrite through appropriate dosing, anoxic SRT and/or maintenance of a nitrate residual in isolation or in combination. The subsequent supply of nitrite and ammonia for anammox reactions is also proposed. The slower growing anammox may be selectively retained on media or using other physical approaches. The overall intent of the present disclosure is to minimize the use of electron donor by maximizing denitratation and anammox reactions. Test results for selective retention of anammox in biofilm, granular or suspended growth system or nitrate residual control are provided.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for biological wastewater treatment that includes a biological selector and a physical selector. The apparatus comprises an internal biological reactor where wastewater and recycled biomass are combined to provide a high substrate and high electron acceptor gradient for generating morphological biomass features that favor granule formation over floc and filament formation, and an external gravimetric or external screen selector operating on the biomass waste stream for collecting and retaining densified biomass aggregates including dense granule selection and for wasting lighter filaments and flocs. In the method and apparatus, particles may be added to provide cores to promote the formation of aggregates encapsulating the seeded particles. The particles may be added as various materials, for example, in the bioreactor, to initiate or seed the formation of a granule, that could then be separated by or integrated with either the external gravimetric or external screen selector.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for biological wastewater treatment that includes a biological selector and a physical selector. The apparatus comprises an internal biological reactor where wastewater and recycled biomass are combined to provide a high substrate and high electron acceptor gradient for generating morphological biomass features that favor granule formation over floc and filament formation, and an external gravimetric or external screen selector operating on the biomass waste stream for collecting and retaining densified biomass aggregates including dense granule selection and for wasting lighter filaments and flocs. In the method and apparatus, particles may be added to provide cores to promote the formation of aggregates encapsulating the seeded particles. The particles may be added as various materials, for example, in the bioreactor, to initiate or seed the formation of a granule, that could then be separated by or integrated with either the external gravimetric or external screen selector.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selecting, retaining or bioaugmenting solids in an activated sludge process for improving wastewater treatment using screens. The screens can be used to separate and retain solids based on size, compressibility or shear resistance. The screens are used to separate and select slow growing organisms, faster settling organisms, or materials added to absorb, treat or remove constituents in the activated sludge process. A swapping screen arrangement provides another means of selecting various particles. The exposed shear rate or time, particle compression, or SRTs can be adjusted manually and/or automatically in response to detected readings from an instrument such as a spectrophotometer or other optical approaches to optimize selection of organisms.