Abstract: A water treatment process comprising: (a) providing bioactive material in waste water, the bioactive material containing microorganisms capable of removing one or more impurities from the waste water, wherein at least 40% by volume of said bioactive material in said waste water is in granular form; and (b) passing a portion of the waste water through a membrane separator, whereby the membrane separator prevents the bioactive material from passing therethrough.

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 method, apparatus, and system for removing contaminants from a body of surface water. The method and apparatus may include tubular members such as hollow-fiber components. The tubular members have a reactive gas diffused through wall of the member. Contaminants in the water can be removed when the reactive gas reacts with bacteria on the tubular member.

Abstract: A modular water treatment apparatus is disclosed having a plurality of cells each respectively arranged in use for housing a treatment bed and a plurality of spacers located between respective adjacent cells. In use the spacers are for providing an air gap between the cells. The cells and spacers are stackable to provide a multiple stage treatment apparatus in which water to be treated percolates through the respective treatment beds located in the cells.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of water comprising at least the steps of: (a) providing the water in laminar flow; and (b) providing bubblefree aeration to the water. The present invention introduces aerobic treatment into wastewater settlement without any hindrance to the settlement process. The present invention is useable for any settlement step or stage, without limitation, the commonest being primary settlement or final settling.

Abstract: A biomedia apparatus comprising an elongated central core and a plurality of loops positioned along the central core adapted to collect organisms from water. The biomedia apparatus may further comprise at least one reinforcing member associated with the central core. In one embodiment, the biomedia apparatus is utilized in a trickle tower to treat wastewater. In another embodiment, the biomedia apparatus is utilized outside a power plant to minimize spat that is drawn into the plant through water intake valves.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system comprising a primary digester and a digester emulator. The digester emulator is capable of dynamically estimating the primary digester performance.

Abstract: A system for treating wastewater, the system including: a septic tank for separating solid matter from liquid matter in raw wastewater; a bioreactor for receiving and biologically treating the liquid raw wastewater from the septic tank to lower its biochemical oxygen demand; and a de-oxygenating reactor for receiving and further treating the biologically treated wastewater from the bioreactor to reduce dissolved oxygen levels in the biologically treated wastewater; wherein the system is arranged so that at least a portion of the wastewater treated in the de-oxygenating reactor flows back into the septic tank and the bioreactor before being discharged from the system.

Abstract: A liquid or water treatment apparatus comprising one or both of an electrodialysis cell and a cavitation unit. The cavitation unit generates cavitation in the liquid by flow of the liquid into a constriction where cavitation bubbles are formed and then to an outlet where cavitation bubbles implode, and the constriction includes an aperture formed by walls which are long and narrowly spaced in a plane normal to the flow direction. The electrodialysis cell is arranged with an inlet flow path for directing only part of a quantity of water to be treated through the electrodialysis cell, and an outlet flow path for returning a product of the electrodialysis cell to the remainder of the water.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for passively generating a current flow in a body of water is disclosed. The passive water circulating apparatus has an aeration plate having a central opening; a plurality of flotation members joined to the aeration plate, the plurality of flotation members being adapted and disposed for maintaining buoyancy of the aeration plate above a water surface; an uplift tube member having a central orifice in fluid communication with the central opening of the aeration plate; a concentrator member disposed at an end of the uplift tube opposite the aeration plate, the concentrator member having a bottom opening in fluid communication with an upper opening, the bottom opening being wider than the upper opening and the upper opening being connected to the uplift tube member; and a plurality of bio-substrates suspended from the concentrator member below the bottom opening, the plurality of bio-substrates providing a substrate for growth of microbes.

Abstract: In a method of treating a liquid, a liquid to be treated is introduced into a space, a mechanical cavitation element acts upon the liquid while gas is supplied into the region of the surface of the cavitation element and introduces the gas into the liquid by moving the cavitation element, and sound waves are introduced directly into the liquid by at least one acoustic power transducer.

Abstract: A clarification system may comprise a channel having an inlet and an outlet, a length, bottom, and a height sufficient to contain a liquid having a depth. The clarification system may include one or more gas injectors disposed within the channel, configured to inject gas bubbles into a suspension flowing in the channel. In some embodiments, at least one gas injector injects gas bubbles having average or median size that does not exceed 100 microns in diameter. Some gas injectors inject bubbles having mean size below 50 microns. Some gas injectors inject gas via the precipitation of gas bubbles from a supersaturated liquid including a dissolved gas. Certain embodiments may be configured to form a quiet zone, typically near the top of the flowing suspension, in which turbulence may be minimized or substantially eliminated. Certain systems include a plurality of gas injectors disposed at different lengths along the channel.

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 new device, method, and system are disclosed that provide for removal of undesired materials from a contaminated fluid. Materials present in the fluids are kept in motion in one or more filter cassettes that include disc aerators that improve contact times with the sorbents and that rotate the filter media to pump contaminated water through the filter media for treatment of the contaminated fluids. The device and system provide containment of sorbent fines that keeps the filter media free from clogging.

Abstract: A stormwater treatment system, including a treatment container for treating stormwater through a bioretention mechanism. The treatment chamber includes an overflow/bypass system, including a flow distribution tray or flume that includes a distribution compartment or channel, an overflow dam or weir, and an overflow/bypass compartment. The stormwater distribution compartment or channel includes one or more openings for stormwater to be treated to fall onto the filter media located within the treatment container. When high flow rates are obtained that exceed the capacity of the unit, the overflow/bypass stormwater enters the overflow/bypass compartment where it is received by an overflow/bypass outlet pipe to be directed out of the container without such water being treated or further treated by the filter media.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a radioactive nitrate waste liquid includes: a denitrification tank (12) that accommodates active sludge which adsorbs or takes in a radioactive substance in a nitrate waste liquid (11) containing nitrate and the radioactive substance and in which an anaerobic microorganism that reduces the nitrate to nitrogen gas grows; a reaeration tank (14) that aerates and mixes a denitrification-treated liquid (24) treated in the denitrification tank (12) with the active sludge in which the aerobic microorganism grows; and a sludge dissolution tank (81) that dissolves redundant sludge (26A, 26B) discharged from the denitrification tank (12) and the reaeration tank (14). Acetic peracid (80) is supplied to the sludge dissolution tank (81) to dissolve redundant sludge, a sludge lysate is supplied to the denitrification tank (12) as a carbon source (22), and acetic acid is supplied to the denitrification tank (12).

Abstract: An aerobic treatment unit is disclosed. The unit provides a tank with an influent end and an effluent end. A growth media is between the influent and effluent ends. An aeration chamber with a diffuser plate is disposed near the influent end. At least one pump moves surface liquids from the near the effluent end to the aeration chamber, where the fluids are aerated by the diffuser plate, back to an area in the tank near the influent end.

Abstract: Food waste streams may be managed efficiently with a waste-processing facility, which in some embodiments may be co-locating a food distribution facility. The waste processing facility includes a pulper fluidly connected to an input configured to receive a heterogeneous waste stream including biodegradable and non-biodegradable components, the pulper configured to mechanically de-fiber the biodegradable component and form a de-fibered biodegradable material, and an anaerobic membrane bioreactor fluidly connected downstream of the pulper and configured to produce biogas and anaerobic effluent from the de-fibered biodegradable material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a water treatment apparatus, method and system for use in the treatment of an open or closed body of water including water in a vessel, pipe, reservoir, river, chamber, lake or similar bodies of water, the water being retained in a water containment means being referenced or tied to ground potential, the apparatus including an energisable material defined as an active electrode being configured and arranged for placement in the body of water, the active electrode being adapted to be energised or electrostatically charged with a negative electrostatic voltage charge from a power supply means, in use, to induce and set up an electrostatic field in the water causing contaminants in the water effected by the induced charge to bond and be removed from the water.

Abstract: A nitrification carrier having made nitrifying bacteria dominant therein and a denitrification carrier having made anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria dominant therein are mixed in a treatment tank. Both of a nitrification reaction with the nitrification carrier and a denitrification reaction with denitrification carrier are allowed to proceed in the treatment tank to decompose ammonium nitrogen in wastewater to nitrogen gas. The ratio of the bacterial loads of the nitrifying bacteria and the anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria can be easily controlled by immobilizing the nitrifying bacteria and the anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria on different carriers from each other (nitrification carrier and denitrification carrier) and by controlling the volume ratio (ratio of the feeding amounts) of the nitrification carrier and the denitrification carrier.

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: Apparatus and methods for treatment of liquids by generating hydroxyl radicals through the dissolution of water molecules by hydraulic cavitation.

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 method for treating wastewater wherein the wastewater is introduced in prescribed doses of wastewater to a first treatment zone, establishing a negative pressure gradient using mechanical ventilation within said zone causing exhaust air flow to remove gases and promote evaporation in the zone. Excess wastewater passing through the zone is collected and reintroduced. The zone contains particulate material with a large wetted surface area covered in a microbiological slime layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bioreactor (1) for the purification of waters, said reactor comprising a cross-sectionally essentially circular or elliptical tank section (2) provided with inlet means (5) for water to be purified and outlet means (6) for purified water. The tank holds thereinside carrier material (3) on which a biofilm may develop. The tank is further provided with means (4) for supplying a fluid which contains a reaction gas required by the purification process, such that the water to be purified develops gas bubbles containing a reaction gas. The tank section is adapted to be essentially full of water during the purification process. The fluid supply means (4) are disposed on the tank wall and the reactor comprises control means for operating the fluid supply means in such a way that a spinning motion of the carrier, the water, and at least some of said reaction-gas bearing bubbles is effected thereby around a rotation centerline passing essentially through the tank's cross-sectional center.

Abstract: A process has steps of one or more of aerobic treatment to remove COD and nitrify a waste stream, anoxic treatment to denitrify a waste stream, anoxic treatment to remove selenium and anaerobic treatment to remove heavy metals and sulphur. The process may be used to treat, for example, FGD blow down water. The process may further include one or more of (a) membrane separation of the waste stream upstream of the anoxic digestion to remove selenium, (b) dilution upstream of the biological treatment step, (c) physical/chemical pretreatment upstream of the biological processes or dilution step to remove TSS and soften the waste stream, or (d) ammonia stripping upstream of the biological treatment steps or dilutions step. These processes may be provided in a variety of suspended growth or fixed film reactors, for example a membrane bioreactor or a fixed film reactor having a GAC bed.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating liquid by contact with a particulate adsorbent material comprises a regeneration chamber (10) within a reservoir (2) for liquid to be treated. Adsorbent material is recycled along a path including passage through the regeneration chamber (10) and in a body of liquid in the reservoir to contact and treat the liquid. The adsorbent material is capable of regeneration, and the regeneration chamber (10) is defined between two electrodes (36, 38), which can be coupled to a source of electrical power. The treatment process can be continuous with liquid flowing through the reservoir while the adsorbent material is recycled and regenerated. Alternatively, individual quantities of liquid may be treated on a batch basis. A plurality of regeneration chambers may be arranged within a common reservoir, such as in a bank of chambers aligned along an axis thereof.

Abstract: The invention proposes a method of destruction of volatile organic and inorganic compounds in wastewater, this method includes following stages: stripping the aforementioned volatile compounds in a stripping-chemisorption column; preliminary heating the gaseous medium containing these volatile compounds in a first heat regenerator; thermal, flare or thermo-catalytic oxidation of the volatile compounds in circulating gaseous medium; cooling the gaseous medium in a second heat regenerator; chemisorption of acidic gases from the gaseous medium in the stripping-chemisorption column with stripping at the same time additional amount of the volatile compounds from the wastewater. After specific period, direction of the gaseous medium flow is alternated. The proposed method can be executed at elevated temperature. The invention includes as well systems realizing the proposed method.

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 (O) 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: An aerated biological filtration system (10) for treating waste water includes a treatment vessel (11) of elongated configuration which incorporates a circulating filter bed (23) and a static filter bed (24). The circulating filter bed incorporates a particulate material such as granulated activated carbon having a specific gravity in the range of 1.2 to 1.4 and effective size of 0.6 mm to 1.5 mm. The circulating filter bed is disposed above the static filter bed and an aeration system (27) is disposed between the filter beds. The aeration system is arranged to diffuse air through the circulating bed either continuously or intermittently so as to provide oxygen to micro-organisms attaching to the particulate material and to cause slow circulation of that particulate material. The system has particular application for domestic recycling of grey water.

Abstract: A stormwater treatment system, including a treatment container for treating stormwater through a bioretention mechanism. The treatment chamber includes an overflow/bypass system, including a flow distribution tray or flume that includes a distribution compartment or channel, an overflow dam or weir, and an overflow/bypass compartment. The stormwater distribution compartment or channel includes one or more openings for stormwater to be treated to fall onto the filter media located within the treatment container. When high flow rates are obtained that exceed the capacity of the unit, the overflow/bypass stormwater enters the overflow/bypass compartment where it is received by an overflow/bypass outlet pipe to be directed out of the container without such water being treated or further treated by the filter media.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system and process includes a treatment system for biologically treating wastewater to produce substantially clean water effluent and byproducts. The treatment system includes an array of rotating media wheels for sustained algae growth. The media wheels are supported so that the algae rotates into and out of the wastewater for exposure to sunlight. One byproduct is algae removed from the rotating media wheels, which may be provided to other processing facilities to produce, for instance, bio-diesel fuel. Waste CO2 may also be provided to the facility for enhanced algae growth. Bacteria is provided to form a symbiotic relationship with the algae, fueled by sunlight to effectively remove toxic materials from the wastewater. Rotation of the media wheels can be accomplished by air jets that also operate to dislodge excess algae as a byproduct of the system and process.

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: An elevated swale comprising a porous and water-permeable interior zone, a permeable and compressible exterior shell, and vertically oriented cylindrical inserts. The exterior shell surrounds the interior zone, and the cylindrical inserts are placed within cylindrical cavities that are cut vertically into the interior zone. In an alternate embodiment, the present invention is an elevated swale comprising stacked layers of polymer matting and vertically oriented cylindrical inserts. The cylindrical inserts are placed within cylindrical cavities that are cut vertically into the stacked layers of polymer matting.

Abstract: A system for saturating a liquid with a gas followed by bubble-less delivery and mixing of the gas-saturated liquid into a gas-unsaturated liquid wherein a biological process is occurring. The system comprises a gas-saturation unit which controllably communicates with a bioreactor unit containing a gas-unsaturated liquid wherein a biological process is occurring. The gas saturation unit comprises a sealable pressure-resistant vessel for receiving therein an unsaturated liquid and wherein the liquid is saturated with a gas under pressure. The rate of introduction of gas-saturated liquid into the bioreactor unit is controllable to make it equivalent to the rate of gas consumption by the biological process occurring in gas-unsaturated liquid contained within the bioreactor unit. The invention is particularly useful for bubble-less gas delivery to open and closed bioreactor configurations for wastewater treatment processes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for reclamation of waste fluids. A conditioning container is employed for receipt of waste material on a continuous flow for treatment within the container by immersible transducers producing ultrasonic acoustic waves in combination with a high level of injected ozone. The treated material exhibits superior separation properties for delivery into a centrifuge for enhanced solid waste removal. The invention discloses a cost efficient and environmentally friendly process and apparatus for cleaning and recycling of flowback, or frac water, which has been used to stimulate gas production from shale formations. The apparatus is mobile and containerized and suitable for installation at the well site.

Abstract: A bioreactor for treating a liquid comprises a container having a vertical wall portion with at least one inlet port and at least one outlet port. The bioreactor also comprises a media support platform securely disposed inside the container at a position below the inlet and outlet ports, and substantially permeable to liquid. The bioreactor comprises at least one cylindrical chamber inside the container at a position above the media support platform. The bioreactor also comprises a plurality of media units topically disposed on the media support platform. The bioreactor comprises a recirculation/aeration system secured at a bottom end of the cylindrical chamber. The recirculation/aeration system has a submersible pump device that can be programmed to pump liquid at variable speeds and has a liquid intake portion having perforations, an air intake tube, and an eductor device. The air intake tube protrudes through a top port of the container.

Abstract: There is disclosed a normal-pressure plasma-based apparatus for processing waste water by mixing the waste water with working gas. The apparatus includes a waste water supply, a gas supply, a plasma-based processing unit connected to both of the waste water supply and the gas supply, a reservoir connected to the plasma-based processing unit and a washing tower connected to both of the reservoir and the plasma-based processing unit. The plasma-based processing unit and the washing tower are used together to mix the waste water with the working gas at least twice. The plasma-based processing unit produces active substances to decompose organic compounds and eliminate the colors of the organic compounds. Thus, performance in processing the waste water is excellent while the consumption of time and energy is low.

Abstract: A system and method were used to treat produced water. Field-testing demonstrated the removal of contaminants from produced water from oil and gas wells.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating water such as ballast water in ships in order to eliminate aquatic organisms in the water. The water is led under pressure through a conduit into a chamber of greater cross-section than that of the conduit so that an abrupt reduction in pressure occurs. Cavitation ensues, leading to the release of dissolved gases. Ultrasonic vibration is generated and is applied to the water, exerting a pounding effect that weakens or destroys the organisms present. Other means may be used to generate further mechanical, electrical, and chemical forces in the water which attack the organisms.

Abstract: A method of concentrating particles in a liquid-particle dispersion feed by adsorptive bubble separation by intimately contacting a gas with a pressurized stream of liquid in a chamber to form an aerated dispersion that retains at least some of the kinetic energy from the pressurized stream, and removing at least some of the kinetic energy from the aerated dispersion to form a dense foam. A liquid-particle dispersion feed is then injected into the dense foam to form a gas-liquid-particle dispersion. The gas-liquid-particle dispersion is injected into a flotation chamber at a point below a surface of a liquid contained therein, where the gas-liquid-particle dispersion forms bubbles of a gas-particle agglomerate, and the bubbles are released from the feed liquid depleted in hydrophobic particles and rise to the surface to form a floating froth enriched in particles.

Abstract: A fluidized bed reactor configured for reduced backflow of fluid is provided. The fluidized bed reactor comprises a vessel configured to contain a level of fluid, a feed conduit positioned to deliver feed into the vessel from an elevation above the level of fluid and a vacuum relief valve coupled to said feed conduit to introduce gas into the feed conduit.

Abstract: A system for recycling drilling sludge is disclosed. The system has a treatment area and a salt-tolerant bio-reactor coupled to the treatment area. The bio-reactor has i) at least one bio-suspension element for supporting the growth of at least one type of biological microorganism within an enclosed flow zone; ii) an agitator for creating a flow of the drilling sludge through the enclosed flow zone at a flow rate; and iii) an aerator for providing a gas to the enclosed flow zone. The system also has a processor coupled to the agitator and configured to create at least a minimum self-cleaning drag force between drilling sludge passing through the enclosed flow zone and the combined at least one type of biological microorganism and the at least one bio-suspension element. A related method and bio-reactor are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes: a containment system 208 having at least one sidewall and bottom that are substantially impermeable to a passage of water; a distribution system 124 to introduce an aqueous stream comprising nitrates into the containment system; a de-nitrification system 128 comprising a de-nitrification media, the media being contained within the containment system; a pump to pressurize the stream and cause the stream to pass through the de-nitrification media, thereby converting at least most of the nitrates into nitrogen gas and forming a treated stream; and a collection system 132 to remove the treated stream from the containment system.

Abstract: A downflow sand filter used for treating wastewater which has degraded in function from its original design is at least in part rejuvenated by flowing air downwardly through the bed during time when flow of wastewater is ceased. The low velocity air flow helps dewater the bed and leads to the removal of accumulated organic material which has clogged the pores of the bed. In accord with different embodiments, air flow is alternated with water flow in particular ways, for instance, so the water flow is sufficient to create ponding or is sufficient to maintain moisture content within the bed.

Abstract: A plant for wastewater treatment is provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The plant for wastewater treatment includes a reactor into which wastewater and air flow into and depart from; multi-layer sludge separating portions, wherein pollutants in wastewater can be decomposed by increasing an amount of dissolved oxygen because upward moving time of intruded wastewater and air bubbles can be increased by including a reactor divided into upper and lower sides, and fluidity of wastewater may be improved by forming a residential space; and carriers located between the sludge separating portions and including a large amount of microbes, wherein wastewater treatment is performed by a biological reaction caused by contact between the carriers and wastewater.

Abstract: Biological nutrient removal (BNR) in wastewater treatment to remove carbonaceous substrates, nutrients and phosphorus, has recently become increasingly popular worldwide due to increasingly stringent regulations. Biological fluidized bed (BFB) technology, which could be potentially used for BNR processes, can provide some advantages such as high efficiency and compact structure. This present invention incorporates the fixed-film biological fluidized bed technology with the biological nutrient removal in a twin liquid-solid fluidized bed, which has achieved the simultaneous elimination of organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus, in a very efficient manner and with very compact space requirements. The BNR-LSFB has two fluidized beds, running as anoxic/anaerobic and aerobic processes to accomplish simultaneous nitrification and denitrification and to remove carbonaceous substrates, nutrients and phosphorus, with continuous liquid and solids recirculation through the anoxic/anaerobic bed and the aerobic bed.

Abstract: Biomass support members, including woven textile media, useful in biological contact processes and apparatus; biomass support panels of limited flexibility and substantial surface expanse, with or without frames, comprising a variety of different woven or non-woven biomass supporting members, which may or may not include the foregoing media; biological treatment processes using biomass supporting panels in any at least partly supported growth biological process, whether a wastewater treatment or not; and biological wastewater treatment apparatus comprising diffusers and biomass support panels that may or may not include the above media, and which may also include certain preferred spatial and operational relationships.

Abstract: Biological nutrient removal (BNR) in wastewater treatment to remove carbonaceous substrates, nutrients and phosphorus, has recently become increasingly popular worldwide due to increasingly stringent regulations. Biological fluidized bed (BFB) technology, which could be potentially used for BNR processes, can provide some advantages such as high efficiency and compact structure. This present invention incorporates the fixed-film biological fluidized bed technology with the biological nutrient removal in a twin liquid-solid fluidized bed, which has achieved the simultaneous elimination of organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus, in a very efficient manner and with very compact space requirements. The BNR-LSFB has two fluidized beds, running as anoxic/anaerobic and aerobic processes to accomplish simultaneous nitrification and denitrification and to remove carbonaceous substrates, nutrients and phosphorus, with continuous liquid and solids recirculation through the anoxic/anaerobic bed and the aerobic bed.

Abstract: A contaminate separation apparatus for use in separating contaminant materials from cellulose and/or paper fibres in a paper recycling process includes a reservoir for receiving a waste paper slurry therein. The reservoir is provided with an inlet opening for the input of the slurry, one or more fibre discharge outlets or passages, and at least one waste outlet positioned vertically above the fibre discharge outlet opening. An agitator provided in a lower portion of the reservoir generates differential flow currents within the reservoir, to selectively divert plastics, waxes, adhesives and/or other sticky waste materials outwardly towards the waste outlet, while providing a flow of suspended paper and/or cellulose fibres to one or more of the fibre discharge outlets.