Abstract: A method of preparing and separating biopolymers and biopolymer fractions is useful for wastewater treatment applications from sewage sludge. The method comprising the steps of disrupting the bacterial cell walls of bacteria present in the sewage sludge by at least 75% to release the intracellular contents of the bacterial cells and separating the biopolymers from any contaminants present.

Abstract: A method of preparing and separating biopolymers and biopolymer fractions is useful for wastewater treatment applications from sewage sludge. The method comprising the steps of disrupting the bacterial cell walls of bacteria present in the sewage sludge by at least 75% to release the intracellular contents of the bacterial cells and separating the biopolymers from any contaminants present.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing and separating biopolymers and biopolymer fractions useful for wastewater treatment applications from sewage sludge comprising the steps of disrupting the bacterial cell walls of bacteria present in the sewage sludge by at least 75% to release the intracellular contents of the bacterial cells and separating the biopolymers from any contaminants present.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of recovering organic compounds from wastewater for use in electricity generation in a microbial fuel cell, comprising the steps of: converting organic compounds from wastewater into a biomass; recovering the biomass from the wastewater; followed by substantially dissolving or breaking down the biomass to form a cell lysate; fermenting the cell lysate to form volatile fatty acids (VFA) in a broth; and separating the VFA in the VFA broth to produce a clarified VFA stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of generating white water for use in Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) processes, the method comprising the steps of forming a reduced pressure air/water mixture; subjecting the air/water mixture to an elevated hydrostatic pressure in a water column to achieve substantial dissolution of air in water; removing the air in water solution from the elevated hydrostatic pressure region to form a super-saturated air in water solution; and introducing the super-saturated air in water solution into a process stream wherein the air is released from solution as white water micro-bubbles while in intimate contact with contaminants to perform Dissolved Air Flotation.

Abstract: A method and related apparatus for the removal of excess water from sludge, the method comprising the steps of: (1) fermenting the sludge at a temperature in the mesophilic temperature range, (2) maintaining the fermenting sludge for a predetermined period under a hydraulically quiescent condition to achieve phase separation, (3) separately removing the solid phase and liquid phase and (4) feeding the solid phase to the digester for conversion to biogas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aerating a liquid wherein the liquid to be treated is drawn down a vertical pipe at a predetermined velocity to entrain air bubbles into the moving liquid forming an air liquid mixture, maintaining the air bubbles in liquid contact for a minimum period under increasing hydrostatic pressure to dissolve the air and returning the aerated liquid to the reactor, the air bubbles being generated close to the surface of the liquid above the inlet of the vertical pipe.

Abstract: A method and related apparatus for the removal of excess water from sludge, the method comprising the steps of: (1) fermenting the sludge at a temperature in the mesophilic temperature range, (2) maintaining the fermenting sludge for a predetermined period under a hydraulically quiescent condition to achieve phase separation, (3) separately removing the solid phase and liquid phase and (4) feeding the solid phase to the digester for conversion to biogas.

Abstract: Process for reducing the level of unsaturation in a polyether polyol having an oxypropylene content of at least 30% by weight calculated on the total amount of oxyalkylene units in the polyol and having a number average equivalent weight of at least 1000 by subjecting the polyol to ultrafiltration.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a high solids content aqueous dispersion from a low solids content aqueous dispersion, for example waste water containing dilute emulsion paint. At least two membranes are arranged in series, a first membrane being of hollow fibre structure with a bore diameter greater than 1 mm and a pore size of less than 3,000 Kilodaltons molecular weight cut off, and a second tubular membrane being of bore diameter less than 50 mm and pore size of less than 3,000 Kilodaltons molecular weight cut off. The low solids content dispersion is passed across a face of the first membrane at a cross flow velocity of from 0.5 to 5.0 meters per second, a differential pressure being applied to force liquid through the membrane. The resultant retentate has an intermediate solids content and is passed across a face of the tubular membrane at a cross flow velocity of from 0.5 to 5.0 meters per second. A differential pressure is applied across the tubular membrane to force liquid therethrough.