Abstract: A bioremediation device for liquid waste includes a medium for forming a microbial film and for exposing the microbial film to an effluent to decompose a first substance in the effluent and to produce a second substance from the decomposition of first substance. An aerator is coupled to the medium to supply the microbial film with oxygen and to accelerate the effluent around the microbial film.

Abstract: A liquid aeration apparatus includes a vessel having sidewalls, a closed bottom end and, a liquid outlet being provided at or near the upper end. The sidewalls define a cross-sectional interior open area with a vertical depth. An air diffuser is positioned within the interior open area of the vessel. A liquid intake conduit is positioned with an inlet end located at or near the upper end of the vessel and an outlet located near the bottom end of the vessel.

Abstract: An anaerobic to aerobic sequence enhances biological degradation of many organic pollutants. Exemplary embodiments provide systems and methods for effective treatment of storm-water runoff pollutants such as hydrocarbons, nitrates, phosphorus, and heavy metals using sediment filtration and adsorption, and biochemical processes under bi-phasic bioretention conditions. By integrating these pollution cleanup pro-usages into a single unit, this apparatus optimizes retention time of the runoff through the system and maximizes removal rates of runoff pollutants, resulting in more reliable and efficient treatment mechanism than previous systems.

Abstract: A bioretention system and method are provided for removing phosphorus, nitrogen and other materials from effluent such as wastewater and stormwater. The system and method can include a filtration media comprising water treatment residuals and other fill such as soil. Plants can be growing in the soil. The system can also include a drainage system to regulate outflow, to function during both low and high throughputs of water.

Abstract: A biological removal method of phosphorus and nitrogen includes supplying a mixture gas into a gas holder. Inflow water and return water are supplied into the gas holder to make the mixture gas dissolved in the inflow water and the return water. The return water was provided from a granulation biological reaction tank. The inflow water and the return water including the dissolved mixture gas are transported to the granulation biological reaction tank. A nitrogen-based component is removed from the inflow water and the return water using methan-oxidizing bacteria granulated in the granulation biological reaction tank. Treated water without the nitrogen-based component is transported to an anoxic tank for treatment, and discharged from the anoxic tank.

Abstract: A method and system for treating organically contaminated waste water for reuse, by: introducing the waste water into a sedimentation tank to remove a significant portion of the organic contaminants; circulating the waste water from the sedimentation tank to an anoxic mixing chamber for denitrifying the waste water; circulating the waste water from the anoxic mixing chamber to a rotary biological contactor to nitrify the waste water by aeration, and to assimilate organic materials therein by bringing the waste water into contact with a biological medium, to thereby output nitrified waste water; and recirculating a portion of the nitrified waste water outputted from the rotary biological contactor back to the anoxic mixing chamber to enhance the nitrifying and denitrifying of the waste water.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a membrane, optionally for use in sewage treatment. The membrane comprises a support membrane having a gas face biolayer on a gas face of the membrane and/or in the support membrane near the gas face, and a liquid face biolayer on a liquid face of the membrane and/or in the support membrane near the liquid face.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment apparatus comprises a nitrogen-containing dye containing wastewater inlet connected to an obligatory anaerobic tank to bring wastewater containing a nitrogen-containing dye into contact with sulfate-reducing bacteria under obligatory anaerobic conditions, a nitrification tank to bring the wastewater into contact with nitrifying bacteria under aerobic conditions, and a denitrification tank to bring the wastewater into contact with the denitrifying bacteria under anaerobic conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for desalination and purification of water where fresh water is extracted from salt water, leaving behind the higher salinity salt water. Salt water is bubbled, aerated, sprayed, or otherwise agitated to cause breaking bubbles along the surface of the salt water. An electric field is applied above the surface of the salt water; fresh water droplets and vapor are released in the process of bubble rupture, pulled away from the surface of the salt water, and collected for consumption. The present invention may also be used to purify fresh water by leaving impurities behind.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for producing photocatalytic reaction water through a photocatalytic reaction, which can produce water containing a satisfactory amount of active oxygen species, can eliminate microorganisms, parasites or protozoa, shows high oxidizing ability for a prolonged period of time, can reduce the power requirements, is small in size, and is applicable to various devices. A photocatalyst is radiated with light emitted from a light source to produce active oxygen species, and the active oxygen species is diffused in water, whereby the water is provided with functions of the active oxygen species. An oxidation reaction with the water is utilized to perform at least one selected from the elimination of microorganisms, the elimination of parasites, and the elimination of protozoa.

Abstract: Described are a tertiary disinfection system and process for treating a liquid effluent from a domestic secondary treatment unit. The liquid effluent has pathogenic micro-organisms, remaining suspended solids and dissolved organic pollutants. The system has an inlet, a subterranean initial treatment zone filled with a filtering material for removing some suspended solids, dissolved organic pollutants and pathogenic micro-organisms. The initial treatment zone allows the liquid effluent to percolate downward. The system also has a subterranean polishing zone extending horizontally outward from the initial treatment zone, and filled with a filtering material having pore sizes allowing upward capillary dispersion of the liquid effluent. The system also has a subterranean aeration zone having an interface with the initial treatment zone and the polishing zone, to provide aeration enabling aerobic accommodation of microflora for disinfection of the effluent.

Abstract: An apparatus for aerobic biological treatment of waste water and the like includes a tank configured to retain waste water therein, and a wheel rotatably mounted in the tank. The wheel includes a plurality of chambers arranged in axial succession about the circumference of the wheel. The chambers include openings which are oriented generally upwardly and emerge from the waste water adjacent a top dead center position of the wheel and are oriented generally downwardly and submerged in the waste water adjacent a bottom dead center position of the wheel. An air drive mechanism rotates the wheel, and an air pipe communicates with the air drive mechanism, and is disposed generally below the wheel, and is configured to release air bubbles therefrom after the bottom dead center position. A plurality of bubble connectors are connected with and protrude radially outwardly from the wheel at locations preceding the openings, and are shaped to guide the bubbles from the air pipe through the openings into the chambers.

Abstract: A self-sustaining wastewater treatment facility abates greenhouse gas abatement, captures CO2 and produces biomass to address multiple critical environmental needs. The facility includes an array of rotating media wheels that create an optimum ordered mixing of algae for sustained growth. Biomass harvested from the rotating media wheels may be provided to other processing facilities to produce, for instance, bio-fuels. Waste CO2 from the processing facility may also be returned to the treatment system for enhanced algae growth. Bacteria are provided to form a symbiotic relationship with the algae, fueled by sunlight to effectively remove toxic materials from the wastewater. The multi-functional facility may also be integrated into a regenerative facility in which the biomass obtained from the algal and bacterial colonies is used in a separate facility and byproducts of the operation of the separate facility are used by the multi-functional facility to fuel further algal growth.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system for use on marine vessels or land-based applications where wastewater is separated into two separate sources as graywater and raw sewage (blackwater). For blackwater, the treatment system incorporates five general phases (or zones): (1) screening, (2) clarifying, (3) filtering, (4) advanced oxidation, and (5) sludge reducing. For graywater, the treatment system incorporates three general phases (or zones): (1) screening (2) filtering, and (3) advanced oxidation. Each train of the treatment system (blackwater and graywater) can operate as a stand-alone system or can be assimilated into an integrated treatment train for both graywater and blackwater. This system is particularly useful in today's restrictive regulatory environment.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system for use on marine vessels or land-based applications where wastewater is separated into two separate sources as graywater and raw sewage (blackwater). For blackwater, the treatment system incorporates five general phases (or zones): (1) screening, (2) clarifying, (3) filtering, (4) advanced oxidation, and (5) sludge reducing. For graywater, the treatment system incorporates three general phases (or zones): (1) screening (2) filtering, and (3) advanced oxidation. Each train of the treatment system (blackwater and graywater) can operate as a stand-alone system or can be assimilated into an integrated treatment train for both graywater and blackwater. This system is particularly useful in today's restrictive regulatory environment.

Abstract: The inventive water treating method and arrangement successively combine at least one step consisting in biological treating at least one part of pollution contained in said waters by a fixed biomass, wherein a bio-cleaned flow logically obtainable at the and of said step, prior to the entry thereof to a next step, contains less than 2 g/l of SS, and at least one stage for carrying out a flocculation-decantation by ballasted flocs consisting in transferring biologically treated flow to a mixing area (2), preferentially at a velocity gradient ranging from 10 s?1 to 1000 s?1, wherein at least one type of denser than water insoluble granulated material is injected and suspended matters are aggregated around said granulated material particles, in transferring the flow issued from the mixing area (2) to a decantation area, wherein the clarified flow and decantation sludges mixed with the granulated material are separated, in extracting granulated material from the decantation sludges, in recycling major part there

Abstract: Packed bed reactors that have a series of alternating layers of packing. A first packing layer has open body packing elements randomly packed in a layer up to about 10 packing elements deep; and a second packing layer has porous support elements of hydrophobic foam. The porous support elements are randomly packed up to about 10 porous support elements deep. Further, the packing elements of the first layer include substantially cylindrical shapes and the porous support elements of the second layer include substantially rectilinear shapes. In some embodiments, the second layer supports microbial organisms in a biological reactor, and the first layer of open body packing provides fluid flow spaces to facilitate fluid flow and distribution, mass transfer, and to minimize channeling.

Abstract: A method for treatment of nitrified wastewater, the method including supplying wastewater to be treated to a tank having a layer of biomass supporting media near or at the top thereof, retaining biomass on and below the biomass supporting media for a sufficient time such that the biomass hydrolyses and supplies organic carbon to the wastewater in the tank; denitrifying and simultaneously clarifying the wastewater by providing an upward flow of the wastewater in the tank through the layer of biomass supporting media and discharging excess sludge from the bottom of the tank at a rate which is selected to maintain nitrate and ammonia concentrations below selected thresholds.

Abstract: In wastewater treatment equipment, a surfactant is added to a micronanobubble reaction vessel 3 by using a surfactant pump 8 and a surfactant tank 9 which constitute a surfactant adding section. Thereby, a micronanobubble generator 4 stably and efficiently produces micronanobubbles in the treatment water as raw water containing the surfactant in the micronanobubble reaction vessel 3. Thus, the micronanobubbles make it possible to efficiently pretreat the wastewater introduced into the micronanobubble reaction vessel. Consequently, it becomes possible not only to enhance efficiency of wastewater treatment but also to reduce a treatment load on wastewater treatment equipment 14 in a step subsequent to the pretreatment. Thereby, scale of the wastewater treatment equipment 14 is reduced.

Abstract: A bioreactor system for microbiological treatment of wastewater including: at least one highly-flexible substrate for providing a superficial environment conducive for supporting biomass growth, the substrate including: (a) a large plurality of threads disposed in a generally longitudinal direction and including a plurality of synthetic filaments, and (b) at least two cross-support elements disposed across and associated with the plurality of threads, so as to provide support for and loosely associate the threads, wherein openings defined by (i) adjacent threads of the threads, and (ii) adjacent cross-support elements of the elements, have an aspect ratio exceeding 50 to 1.

Abstract: The present invention includes a portable Sub-Surface Flow Constructed Wetlands system for removing pollutants from a body of water. The portable wetlands system includes a sealed container having pipes for the inflow and outlet of the water. The system also includes a high surface area substrate located in a lower portion of the container and a heavier substrate and at least one emergent aquatic plant located in an upper portion of the container. The container of the system may be mounted on a trailer and the entire system may be light enough to be capable of being towed by a normal mid-sized pickup truck. The present invention also contemplates a method for removing pollutants from water using such a portable wetlands system. The water to be treated is flowed through the portable wetlands system in order to remove pollutants. The present invention further contemplates a method for constructing such a portable wetlands system.

Abstract: A protein skimmer having a water column chamber and a fixed deflector. The fixed deflector including a plurality of blades that impart a swirling action on water flowing through the deflector. The deflector further providing an even distribution of bubbles within the water column chamber during protein filtering operation. The deflector including a central hub that aids in maintaining the velocity of water flowing through the deflector.

Abstract: Improvements on a system for treating residual water, presents a new solution for the conformation of a system for treating residual water and for such purpose, it basically consists of a lower blanket (1), preferably produced in PVC, and of a cover blanket (2), which is also preferably produced in PVC, in any color, which may be double-faced, including, in the present model still features a reactor (3), a deep chamber (4) and an anaerobic pond (5), and such elements may be excavated in the soil (S) or made of stonemasonry or any kind of suitable material for this purpose.

Abstract: Monochloramine is efficiently manufactured by introducing controlled quantities of an ammonia source and a chlorine source in a small side-stream of water in a small diameter pipe under turbulent flow conditions. The ammonia source and chlorine source can be injected in either order and are separated by a sufficient distance to ensure that the first chemical is adequately diffused throughout the water prior to the injection of the second chemical. A sufficient length of a mixing chamber insures that turbulent flow is maintained for a length of time sufficient to thoroughly mix the two chemicals to produce monochloramine. This mixing technique allows for the manufacture of high concentrations of monochloramine at atmospheric pressure without off gassing.

Abstract: A trumpet-shaped slinger atomizes or aerosolizes liquid by lifting liquid from adjacent the surface of the liquid using helically oriented fins rotated by spinning the slinger on a shaft. The lifted liquid is centrifugally forced over an increasing surface area and ejected from an upper edge as droplets. When used in wastewater aeration, radial fan blades on top of the slinger break up foam and increase air circulation while the increased surface area of the droplets increases diffusion of dissolved gasses from the wastewater.

Abstract: The invention relates to a water circulation treatment system in housing estate comprising an oxidative biologic filter chamber, a sloping plate sedimentation chamber, an electric biology organic sewage processor and a carbon absorption chamber, said oxidative biologic filter chamber, said sloping plate sedimentation chamber, said electric biology organic sewage processor and said carbon absorption chamber are connected in sequence, wherein the electric biology organic sewage processor includes a shell and a plurality pairs of electrodes, the plurality pairs of electrodes placed in the shell of the electric biology organic sewage processor and surrounded by filter materials, the extending directions of the electrodes are perpendicular to that of water flow in the shell of the electric biology organic sewage processor. This system can purify discharged water which meet sewage discharged standards to a high degree of purification to be used as drinking water.

Abstract: The present invention generally includes a septage treatment system comprising: (a) a primary treatment process system comprising: (1) a receiving station to pump the septage from a vehicle; (2) equalization tank(s) to receive septage from the receiving station; and (3) two or more mixing and odor control tanks to generate waste activated sludge; (b) a primary settling tank to generate waste activated sludge; (c) a secondary treatment process system comprising: (1) aeration tank(s) to receive waste activated sludge from the primary treatment process system and to generate water effluent; and (d) a tertiary treatment process system comprising: (1) wetland ditch(es) to receive water effluent from the aeration tank and to generate filtered water effluent; (2) wetland pond(s) to receive filtered water effluent from the wetland ditch(es) and to generate filtered water effluent; and (3) an aquaculture hydroponics and sand bed greenhouse to generate filtered water effluent.

Abstract: A process for modifying a liquid, comprising introducing a liquid into a cavitation device and cavitating the liquid in the cavitation device. During cavitation the liquid makes contact with an electron emitting material to inject electrons into the liquid. In some embodiments, the electron emitting material is a quartz crystal and the cavitation process produces micro-clustered water.

Abstract: The process for treating an ammonium containing liquid by denitrification treatment of an ammonium containing liquid containing at least ammonium comprises carrying out nitrate reduction treatment of reducing nitrate contained in or added to the ammonium containing liquid to nitrite, and carrying out anaerobic ammonium oxidation treatment of simultaneously anaerobically denitrifying nitrite produced in the nitrate reduction treatment and ammonium contained in the ammonium containing liquid by anaerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system for treating wastewater by processes which include aeration. The system includes an influent conduit for delivery of wastewater to be processed and a treatment tank for processing of the wastewater. Also included is an air conduit for providing compressed air for aeration of the wastewater and a particle size regulation device disposed between the conduit and the tank, wherein the particle size regulation device regulates a size of particles present in the wastewater to provide particle size regulated wastewater. The system also includes at least one aeration jet having a nozzle diameter sized to allow the particle size regulated wastewater to pass through the nozzle.

Abstract: Drainage water containing an organofluorine compound is introduced into a raw tank (1) and then filtered through a filtration device (4). Next, a microorganism, a micro-nanobubbling auxiliary agent and a nutrient are added thereto in a first transit tank (5) while micro-nanobubbles are generated thereinto by a micro-nanobubbling machine (7), thereby giving treated water. This treated water is then fed into an active carbon column (14) and then the above-described organofluorine compound contained in the treated water is decomposed by the microorganism as described above.

Abstract: A first treatment tank (1) to a fourth treatment tank are installed prior to ultrapure water production apparatus (5), dilute wastewater recovering apparatus (34), general service water recovering apparatus and wastewater treatment apparatus. The treatment tanks (1, 2, . . . ) each have a micro-nano bubble generation tank (6, 23, . . . ) and an anaerobic measuring tank (7, 24, . . . ). Accordingly, microbes within the respective anaerobic measuring tanks (7, 24, . . . ) are activated by micro-nano bubbles generated in each micro-nano bubble generation tank (6, 23, . . . ) to thereby enhance the treatment efficiency of low-concentration organic matter. Further, when the value measured by dissolved oxygen meter (13, 30, . . . ) or oxidation-reduction potentiometer (14, 31, . . . ) of each anaerobic measuring tank (7, 24, . . . ) exceeds an individually determined given range, the rotational speed of a circulating pump (9, 26, . . . ) is controlled to thereby decrease the generation of micro-nano bubbles.

Abstract: A bioreactor vessel has a biological support provided within the vessel to support bacteria and a drive system for agitating the biological support while it is it is immersed in the reaction liquor that is to be treated within the vessel. The drive system causes the biological support to oscillate with a reciprocating or rectilinear motion and the drive system is preferably located either outside the vessel or within a portion of the vessel that is above the level of reaction liquor present therein.

Abstract: Submerged media useful with or without aeration and/or mixing to enhance an aquatic environment by promoting and retaining biogrowth. The media takes the form of a cluster of individual flexible elements having free ends. The media are submerged in a liquid such as a water or wastewater treatment basin or an aquaculture environment. The media are characterized by the ability to promote and retain microbial growth. The media clusters have substantial flow through thicknesses to provide a three dimensional effect along with baffling for increased contact with the liquid being treated. The media may be thin strips constructed to avoid sticking together to allow maximum exposed surface area. The media clusters can create oxic, anoxic and anaerobic environments for maximum treatment during flow through the media cluster. The flexibility of the media elements and their free ends automatically dislodges excessive biomass buildup to avoid clogging of the media.

Abstract: A filter sphere for preventing debris from entering a downspout of a rain gutter. The filter sphere is a hollow, perforated sphere with a diameter slightly less than the width of a normal rain gutter.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for biologically treating fluids, in particular municipal or industrial wastewater or the like, the apparatus comprising a pair of reservoirs each containing growth medium having a biofilm thereon, the apparatus being arranged to pump the wastewater from one reservoir to another such as to alternatively expose the biofilms within the reservoirs to air and wastewater, thus making it possible to achieve sequential aerobic, anoxic and anaerobic conditions in the biofilms.

Abstract: A system for treating liquids by forming bacteria flora using earthworm humus is disclosed. In some embodiments, the system includes a containment tank for receiving a contaminated liquid distributed through an opening into the tank, the containment tank further including a layer of earthworm humus through which the liquid is filtered, a medium layer for bacteria inoculation below the earthworm humus layer in the containment tank, and an inert layer below the medium layer proximate to the base of the containment tank.

Abstract: A treatment apparatus of waste water containing oil and fat for grease trap mounted on a grease trap and for decomposing and treating, with an immobilized enzyme, waste oil and fat waste in waste water containing oil and fat within the grease trap, comprising a support plate mounted on the grease trap, an immobilized enzyme holders containing an immobilized enzyme E and through which the waste water containing oil and fat can freely pass, and an agitating means for agitating the waste water containing oil and fat, wherein the immobilized enzyme holders and the agitating means are installed on the support plate.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for treating a mixture of a solid and a liquid, the mixture including a contaminant. The process comprises the step of subjecting the mixture to cavitation wherein at least a portion of the contaminant is chemically decomposed. The process subsequently comprises the step of introducing a pre-determined biological species into the treated mixture to give a desired biological outcome, such as a biodegradation treatment, remediation or decomposition of the contaminant. Such a dual process can reduce the concentration of a contaminant to extremely low levels as well as achieve outcomes that the introduction of a biological species alone is not able to achieve.

Abstract: The invention relates to an agitating device, in which a hyperboloid agitating body (6) is connected to a drive mechanism (2, 3) by means of a shaft (4). Several ribs (7) running from the circumferential boundary (Ur) in the direction of the shaft (4) are provided on the upper side (0) of the agitating body (6). According to the invention, the efficiency of the agitating device may be improved, whereby a height (h1) of the ribs (7) at least incrementally increases from the circumferential boundary (Ur) of the agitating body (6) in the direction of the shaft (4).

Abstract: This application relates to an apparatus and method for treating effluent. The effluent may be derived, for example, from an upstream secondary treatment plant. The apparatus employs a plenum positionable within a fluid-impervious container. The plenum includes a fluid filter portion containing a hydrophilic material, such as peat, capable of transporting effluent by capillary action and a fluid collection portion for receiving effluent from the upstream effluent source. The apparatus also includes a fluid wicking conduit containing hydrophilic material for wicking effluent from the fluid collection portion. The fluid wicking conduit may be configured so that any appreciable amount of effluent introduced into the apparatus will be wicked even if the amount is substantially less than the fluid holding capacity of the fluid collection portion of the plenum. This enables the apparatus to operate substantially continuously and passively so long as some effluent is resident in the plenum.

Abstract: Waste gas/wastewater treatment equipment treats waste gas in a scrubber 18 by using micronanobubble water produced in a micronanobubble reaction vessel 31 as washing water. Waste gas is efficiently cleaned by the substance surface high-velocity cleaning function which micronanobubbles have. The washing water having been used in the waste gas treatment is reused in wastewater treatment in adjustment tank 1, denitrification tank 3 and nitrification tank 11 which constitute a wastewater treatment section. Thus, the micronanobubbles contained in the washing water are utilized in wastewater treatment, so that efficiency of wastewater treatment is enhanced.

Abstract: The invention is a biomass carrier used in the biological purification of waste water. The design of the biomass carrier is characterized by a surface morphology designed to produce a specific pattern of variations in bio-film thickness, resulting in optimized bio-film conditions for simultaneous nitrification-de-nitrification and biodegradation of trace organic contaminants.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a composite material which can rapidly and effectively remove algae and transform them into submerged macrophytes. The composite material is a mixture of two functional materials: one can grow into submerged macrophytes, and the other is clays or modified local soil particles which can flocculate algae, inhibit phosphorus release from sediments and act as the carrier of the above-mentioned seeds, earthnuts, buds, and roots of submerged macrophytes. In addition, the present invention proposes a physical-chemical-ecological combined method for improving water quality and enhancing the ecological restoration of eutrophic lakes using the above-mentioned material. By spraying the composite material to the lake surface, the new method can remove algae and turbidity through flocculation and complete the planting process simultaneously so that HABs and eutrophication are effectively controlled.

Abstract: A method for the removal of contaminants from a contaminated water stream, by pretreating the contaminated water stream to yield a pretreated water stream, wherein pretreating comprises passing the contaminated water stream to at least one electrocoagulation cell wherein coagulation of contaminants is promoted, yielding an electrocoagulated stream; and separating coagulated contaminants from the electrocoagulated stream. An electrocoagulation reactor comprising a plurality of electrodes positioned parallel to each other and provided with a means of energizing each electrode; a fluid inlet for an inlet stream comprising contaminated water; a fluid outlet for an outlet stream comprising electrocoagulated products; a flow distributor system; and a gas distribution system for injecting a gas into the electrocoagulation reactor. An electrocoagulation system for treating a contaminated water stream, the system comprising at least one electrocoagulation reactor.

Abstract: A system for wastewater treatment comprises a tank and includes a mixer that generates large mixing bubbles, for example a bubble having a largest dimension of 6 inches to 10 feet. In some embodiments, the mixer is located in the anoxic zone. The mixing bubbles are large enough to move wastewater as they rise to the surface and generate a mixing current in the wastewater. The mixing current mixes the wastewater, and bacteria and other microorganisms to promote the bacteria and other microorganisms' conversion of the pollutants contained in the wastewater. The system further comprises an Integrated Fixed-film Activating Sludge (IFAS) system.

Abstract: In waste water treatment apparatus and method, a mineral mixing tank receives biologically treated water, sludge which is generated by biological treatment, and mineral sludge which contains calcium and so on from a settling tank. A mineral pump returns the sludge and the treated water from the mineral mixing tank to a raw water tank. An air-lift pump circulates treatment water between a reaeration tank having a semi-anaerobic section and a denitrification tank. In circulation of the treatment water between the reaeration tank and the denitrification tank, the semi-anaerobic section alleviates the change of environment for microorganisms and thereby realizes the environment easy to propagate for the microorganisms. The air-lift pump allows the agitation with low energy consumption even when the microorganisms are cultured up to a high concentration thereof.

Abstract: A bioreactor system for microbiological treatment of wastewater including: at least one highly-flexible substrate for providing a superficial environment conducive for supporting biomass growth, the substrate including: (a) a large plurality of threads disposed in a generally longitudinal direction and including a plurality of synthetic filaments, and (b) at least two cross-support elements disposed across and associated with the plurality of threads, so as to provide support for and loosely associate the threads, wherein openings defined by (i) adjacent threads of the threads, and (ii) adjacent cross-support elements of the elements, have an aspect ratio exceeding 50 to 1.

Abstract: A process for treating a waste material coming from aluminum production, the waste material containing contaminants polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and inorganic fluoride compounds containing fluoride ions, involves flotation of a waste mixture of the waste material in the presence of a surfactant capable of producing PAH-rich micelles that are floated to produce froth containing the PAH-rich micelles; and stabilization of the waste mixture by adding a fluoride ion stabilizer to form stabilized fluoride compounds with reduced solubility in the waste mixture and in a toxicity characteristics leaching procedure test, to produce decontaminated solids containing the stabilized fluoride compounds and a leachate solution.

Abstract: A recirculating wastewater evapotranspiration and disinfection system is disclosed in which wastewater is collected, stored, aerated. and circulated through an unsaturated and optionally heated planter/filter bed containing soil microorganisms and living plants in which aerated wastewater is circulated and recirculated through the system until all of the wastewater and its constituents are utilized by any of evaporation, transpiration, gasification and living plant production and their by-products, or otherwise disinfected for reuse, while energy is gratuitously recovered in the process for productive use.