With Sediment Recycle Means Directly To Main Stream Patents (Class 210/195.3)
  • Patent number: 11945742
    Abstract: Wastewater processing modules that include an interior surface defining an interior volume, one or more inlets configured to receive wastewater into the interior volume, one or more outlets configured to exhaust processed water from the interior volume, one or more flow-deflecting baffles positioned within the interior volume fluidly between the inlet(s) and the outlet(s) and that divide the interior volume into a plurality of fluidly connected sections, and a purification medium at least partially filing the plurality of fluidly connected sections. The flow-deflecting baffle(s) are configured to channel the wastewater to flow along a plurality of circuitous bulk flow paths through the purification medium. The purification medium is configured to sequester contaminants from the wastewater as it flows through the interior volume along the circuitous bulk flow paths to produce the processed water therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Sanitary Green Incorporated
    Inventors: Adam Mitchell DeHeer, Nicholas Aleksander Sund
  • Patent number: 11672214
    Abstract: A bioreactor (1, 2, 3) and its use for the conversion of organic residual and/or waste materials into an organic nutrient solution with a proportion of at least 10% plant-accessible mineralised nitrogen relative to the total nitrogen content of the nutrient solution, with a reaction tank (5), where the reaction tank (5) has an input feed (6) through which suspension (4) can be introduced into the reaction tank (5), and where the reaction tank (5) has an outlet feed (7), through which the suspension (4) can be discharged from the reaction tank (5), where the carrier element (10) has at least one inner and one outer settlement surface (11), on which ammonifying and/or nitrifying bacteria can collect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Jassen—Kunststoffzentrum GmbH—Apparatebau, Zuschnitte und Formung
    Inventors: Bernhard Illenberger, Hartmut Jassen
  • Patent number: 11279645
    Abstract: Methods and systems of a biosolids concentrator and digester system having an inlet, an equalization/separation tank, an equalization/separation tank-anaerobic tank connector, an anaerobic tank, an anaerobic tank-aerobic tank connector, an aerobic tank, an aerobic tank-clarifier tank connector, and a clarifier tank. The inlet receives a thermally treated waste stream (TTWS), which enters the equalization/separation tank through the inlet at the equalization/separation tank bottom portion and leaves at the equalization/separation tank top portion. The TTWS enters the anaerobic tank at the anaerobic tank bottom portion and is anaerobically digested in the anaerobic tank producing a biogas, which is discharged from the anaerobic tank top portion. The TTWS leaves the anaerobic tank at the anaerobic top portion, enters the aerobic tank at the aerobic tank bottom portion and leaves the aerobic tank at the anaerobic top portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Inventor: Paul Baskis
  • Patent number: 11174591
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for clarification of raw green liquor in a sedimentation tank. According to the invention is a part of dregs separated in the sedimentation tank recirculated back into the inflow of raw green liquor, and preferably after passing the dregs through at least one turbulence generator (30, 31) that could break up larger dregs particles into smaller dregs particles, and thus create larger total surface on the dregs particles, improving sedimentation rate in the sedimentation tank. In a preferred embodiment is the recirculated dregs added into the flow of raw green liquor before a flocculant is added into the flow of raw green liquor and mixed recirculated dregs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: VALMET AB
    Inventors: Zicheng Zhang, John Johnson, Magnus Ingelman, Sanchuan Guo
  • Patent number: 11161759
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention encompass electrodes, electrochemical cells, electrocoagulation systems, and methods using the electrodes, electrochemical cells, electrocoagulation systems. The electrodes may be used in electrocoagulation cells and/or systems to treat water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: QATAR UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Deina T. Aly, Muftah H. El-Naas
  • Patent number: 11008747
    Abstract: A manhole (100) for subterranean installation is described. The manhole (100) comprises a first chamber (110) arranged to receive storm water and a second chamber (120) arranged to receive sewage water. The first chamber (110) comprises a first inlet (111) and a first outlet (112). The second chamber (120) comprises a second inlet (121) and a second outlet (122). The first chamber (110) comprises a first access port (113) opposed to a first base (114) and a first wall (115) arranged therebetween. The second chamber (120) comprises a second access port (123) opposed to a second base (124) and a second wall (125) arranged therebetween. A first normal N1 to the first base (114) extends through the first base (114) and the second base (124). A sewer network 1000 and a method of installing the sewer network are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: LIVERPOOL JOHN MOORES UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Alaa Henou Abbas, Rafid Al-Khaddar, Felicite Ruddock
  • Patent number: 10907127
    Abstract: An algae cultivation system includes generating a translating hydraulic jump wave that travels across a gas-liquid interface of an algae cultivation fluid contained in the algae cultivation system. The translating hydraulic jump wave has Froude number greater than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Global Algae Technology, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Hazlebeck, Rodney Corpuz
  • Patent number: 10662098
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a method (200, 300, 400) of at least partly removing at least one micropollutant from wastewater (104) comprising carbogenous compounds and at least one micropollutant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies Support
    Inventors: Magnus Christensson, Thomas Welander
  • Patent number: 10647604
    Abstract: Methods and systems of a biosolids concentrator and digester system having an inlet, an equalization/separation tank, an equalization/separation tank-anaerobic tank connector, an anaerobic tank, an anaerobic tank-aerobic tank connector, an aerobic tank, an aerobic tank-clarifier tank connector, and a clarifier tank. The equalization/separation tank has a first aeration tube. The aerobic tank has a second aeration tube. The inlet receives a waste stream and enters the equalization/separation tank at an equalization/separation tank bottom portion and leaves at an equalization/separation tank top portion. The waste stream enters the anaerobic tank at an anaerobic tank bottom portion and leaves at an anaerobic top portion. The waste stream enters the aerobic tank at an aerobic tank bottom portion and leaves at an anaerobic top portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Inventor: Paul Baskis
  • Patent number: 10414678
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system is provided having a pretreatment tank which receives wastewater from a wastewater source, and an aeration tank which is in fluid communication with the pretreatment tank. A recirculation pump is carried in the aeration tank and returns wastewater from the aeration tank to the pretreatment tank. The recirculation pump returns the wastewater according to a recirculation ratio R:I where R is the volumetric flow rate of wastewater through the recirculation pump and I is average volumetric flow rate of wastewater entering the pretreatment tank. A control panel cycles the recirculation pump on and off according to the recirculation ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Inventors: Stephen Sabo, Steven Davis, James Conley
  • Patent number: 10221084
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention describe a headworks and dewatering component coupled to an inlet and disposed above a base of the basin, the headworks and dewatering component to include a filtration element to define a flow restriction for solid materials, dewater the solid materials from the wastewater influent, and pass a remainder of the wastewater influent (e.g., to another compartment of a host WWTP container). In one embodiment, the headworks and dewatering component comprises a box shape (i.e., orthogonal polyhedral). In other embodiments, said component may comprise a circular or free-form shape. In one embodiment, the filtration element defines a flow restriction for solid materials based, at least in part, on dimensions of the solid materials. Said filtration element may comprise fabric netting, or metal mesh netting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Liberty Evans, LLC
    Inventors: James P. Reilly, Victoria Jelderks
  • Patent number: 10131550
    Abstract: Systems and methods for treating wastewater including a dissolved air flotation operation performed upon a portion of a mixed liquor output from a contact tank prior to the mixed liquor entering a biological treatment tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Argun O. Erdogan, Michael L. Doyle
  • Patent number: 10099948
    Abstract: This disclosure includes disinfection reactors and processes for the disinfection of water. Some disinfection reactors include a body that defines an inlet, an outlet, and a spiral flow path between the inlet and the outlet, in which the body is configured to receive water and a disinfectant at the inlet such that the water is exposed to the disinfectant as the water flows through the spiral flow path. Also disclosed are processes for disinfecting water in such disinfection reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: KING ABDULLAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Noreddine Ghaffour, Fariza Ait-Djoudi, Wahib Mohamed Naceur, Sofiane Soukane
  • Patent number: 10071925
    Abstract: An induced sludge bed anaerobic reactor includes a vessel in which a septum is positioned to maintain solids in wastewater being treated toward a lower portion of the reactor. The septum is configured to prevent or minimize rising bacteria from exiting the vessel and to minimize clogging of the vessel. A first example septum is disclosed that is based on a linear vane design. A second example septum is disclosed that is based on a concentric vane design. A third example septum is disclosed that is based on a radial vane design that may include one or more sections. Further, septums may be layered one atop another to further minimize rising bacteria from exiting the vessel and to further minimize clogging of the vessel. Finally, a septum is attached to the inside of the vessel so as to allow it to move allowing any clogging waste floating under the septum to exit the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Inventors: Conly L. Hansen, Lared D. Hansen
  • Patent number: 9908802
    Abstract: Treating an organic effluent is disclosed. The effluent is fed in a continuous flow at a rate q via a first chamber maintained at a first pressure and/or directly through a first narrowing to a second chamber or container maintained at a second medium pressure by the injection of air into the second chamber at a rate Q in order to obtain an emulsion in the second chamber. A head loss is generated in the emulsion optionally modified by a second and/or third narrowing or a feed valve for a third chamber maintained at a third pressure in the region immediately downstream of the second or third narrowing and/or valve. A flocculant is injected into the region of the third chamber. The emulsion at atmospheric pressure then being degasified and the emulsion thus degasified being recovered in a filtration or decanting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: OREGE
    Inventors: Patrice Capeau, Pascal Gendrot
  • Patent number: 9771286
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for biological sewage treatment, including a concentrated mixed liquor driving device that uses a gas to drive a concentrated mixed liquor to flow. The present invention further relates to a method for biological sewage treatment, including a step of using a gas to drive a concentrated mixed liquor to flow. The gas can be an aeration gas, especially an oxygen-containing aeration gas after aeration treatment. The apparatus and method of the present invention can sufficiently utilize the energy and oxygen of the aeration gas, so that the energy consumption and maintenance cost of whole apparatus are reduced, biological sewage treatment effects are improved, and sludge floating is prevented. In addition, the apparatus of present invention has advantages of high performance, energy saving, high reliability, and good movability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Inventors: Jinmin Li, Liankui Zhou, Dayong Li
  • Patent number: 9764976
    Abstract: A process for reducing the production of sludge by municipal or industrial wastewater purification plants, comprising a step of mesophilic or thermophilic anaerobic digestion (20), or anaerobic digestion combining these two operating modes, of a stream of sludge to be treated (1), and at least one biological solubilization anaerobic treatment step (30); the process comprises, upstream of the anaerobic digestion step, a step of dehydration (10) of the sludge to be treated, followed by a step of mixing (15) the dehydrated sludge with a recirculated fraction of sludge that is more liquid, originating from recycling of the digestion (20), and/or from the anaerobic treatment step (30), and/or centrates originating from a final dehydration (50) of the treated sludge, wherein the recirculation rate is chosen such that the mixture has a dryness suitable for digestion, this mixture then being directed towards the digestion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: DEGREMONT
    Inventor: Pierre-Emmanuel Pardo
  • Patent number: 9702860
    Abstract: Disclosed is a wastewater monitoring device comprising, a selectively sealable chamber; a first oxygen sensor, operable to measure the level of oxygen dissolved in a liquid; said first oxygen sensor being locatable inside of the sealed sealable chamber; and a second oxygen sensor, operable to measure the level of oxygen dissolved in the wastewater being tested. The selectively sealable chamber may be defined by a shell member and a piston member, the piston being locatable inside the shell member so as to define said chamber. At least one of the shell member and piston member may be actuatable linearly relative to the other so as to selectively seal the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Strathkelvin Instruments Limited
    Inventors: Michael Anthony Dooley, Martin Burns
  • Patent number: 9586845
    Abstract: A system comprising method and apparatus for separating biologically-digestible materials from an influent sewage stream. The system may comprise a primary clarification tank to capture sixty percent or more of the total solids from an influent stream; a sludge classifying press (SCP) to isolate and concentrate biologically digestible materials from sludge formed in the primary clarification tank, releasing valuable organics, such as are found in corn kernels, by fracturing the protective casings; a grit capture mechanism in a chamber within the primary clarification tank and isolated from the bulk of the sludge containing biologically-degradable materials; a grit trap to remove grit from the sludge prior to classifying the sludge with the SCP; apparatus for adding thickener to the sludge after classification and prior to digestion; and automation of one or more elements of the process for separating and digesting the biologically digestible materials in an influent stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: ClearCove Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry Wright
  • Patent number: 9511308
    Abstract: An oil sludge mixing assembly replaces a screw driven oil sludge separator with a hydraulic mixing assembly. The assembly includes a chamber configured to hold a mixture comprising oil, water, and sludge in the interior space. An inlet is coupled to and extends into the chamber wherein the inlet is configured for passing the mixture into the interior space of the chamber. An outlet is coupled to and extends through the chamber wherein the outlet is configured for passing the mixture out of the interior space of the chamber. A housing is coupled to the chamber and an arm is extendably coupled to the housing. A paddle is coupled to the extendable arm such that the paddle is moved within the interior space by the arm for agitating the mixture in the interior space of the chamber and directing settled sludge to the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Inventor: Rosalind R. Cockfield
  • Patent number: 9125962
    Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for processing solid waste products. The invention features periodic removal of water preferably while the contents are under pressure. The apparatus comprises a rotatably mounted cylindrical vessel having a first end, a second end and an interior surface, at least one end terminating in a hatch that may be opened to allow access to the interior of the vessel and sealably closed to allow pressurization of the vessel; a steam inlet for injecting stem disposed at one or both ends; and one or more valves for exhausting water periodically as the waste mass is being processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: ESTECH USA, LLC
    Inventors: Jan Michalek, Theodore Thomas
  • Patent number: 9045356
    Abstract: A sewage treatment process is provided, which includes the following steps: a) sewage feeding step, comprising introducing raw sewage into a biological reaction tank (1) to a predetermined time or liquid level; b) reaction step comprising performing aeration and stirring intermittently in the biological reaction tank (1); c) treated water discharging step, comprising performing solid-liquid separation of the mixed liquid in the biological reaction tank (1) by a membrane separation device (2) to obtain a first permeate, which is taken as the final treated water; d) standby step comprising stopping aeration in the biological reaction tank (1); and e) phosphorus-enriched water discharging step, comprising keeping anaerobic condition in the biological reaction tank (1) and performing solid-liquid separation of the mixed liquid in the biological reaction tank (1) by a membrane separation device (2) to obtain a second permeate, the second permeate entering inside a phosphorus recycling unit (5) which is set indepen
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Inventors: Youfeng Sun, Jue Qian
  • Publication number: 20150144554
    Abstract: In a wastewater treatment system, feed water is processed by anaerobic digestion, preferably in an anaerobic moving bed bioreactor (AnMBBR). Effluent from the AnMBBR passes through one or more solid-liquid separation units. A solids portions is treated by hydrolysis or suspended growth anaerobic digestion. A liquid portion of the hydrolysis or suspended growth anaerobic digestion effluent is returned to the AnMBBR or blended with effluent from the AnMBBR. The AnMBBR effluent may be treated with an aerobic moving bed bioreactor (MBBR) before the one or more solid-liquid separation steps. Membrane filtration may provide a first solid-liquid separation step. A thickened waste stream may be withdrawn from a recirculation loop flowing from the first solid-liquid separation unit to the MBBR. Optionally, a solids portion separated from the feed water upstream of the AnMBBR may also be treated by hydrolysis or suspended growth anaerobic digestion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Juan Carlos Josse, Michael David Theodoulou, Sasha Rollings-Scattergood
  • Publication number: 20150101967
    Abstract: A system may include a reactor, in which an anaerobic environment exists, that includes a slurry of at least contaminated water and a mixed bacterial culture of facultative bacteria and anaerobic bacteria. The mixed bacterial culture may be suspended within the slurry. The contaminated water may include contaminants associated with a non-metal, a metal, or a metalloid. The mixed bacterial culture may react with the contaminated water to reduce or remove the contaminants from the contaminated water to create a treated slurry. The reactor may output the treated slurry. The system may also include a filtration device to receive the treated slurry; remove, from the treated slurry, the mixed bacterial culture and the contaminants, reduced or removed from the contaminated water, to create treated water; and output the treated water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Bruce Merrill Thomson, Jean-Claude Yacoub Younan, Joseph D. Chwirka
  • Publication number: 20150076059
    Abstract: Feed water is processed in an anaerobic digester. A solid-liquid separation device, for example a sludge screw thickener, treats a stream drawn from the digester in a recirculation loop. The solids portion is returned to the digester to increase the solids retention time and the TSS concentration in the digester. A liquid portion with less than 5% of the solids in the stream is removed and optionally treated further. The flow rate to the solid-liquid separation device is preferably greater than the influent flow rate. The solid-liquid separation device may receive digestate at a TSS concentration of 4% or more and return a solids portion having a TSS concentration of over 10%. The feed water is preferably one or more industrial waste streams having a COD concentration of 20,000 to 50,000 mg/L and a TSS concentration from 1-5%. The organic loading rate may be 10-12 kg/COD/m3/day.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: ANAERGIA INC.
    Inventors: Michael David Theodoulou, Juan Carlos Josse
  • Patent number: 8980091
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling dissolved oxygen levels in a secondary treatment system of a wastewater treatment facility that can employ a membrane bioreactor in which oxygen introduction into mixed liquor is controlled to prevent bulking and minimize generation of extra cellular polymeric substances. The control is exercised by insuring that dissolved oxygen levels within the mixed liquor do not fall below a minimum system level at which microorganism stress would occur. This is done by setting a minimum dissolved oxygen level control point equal to a sum of the minimum system level and an adjustment factor determined on the basis of oxygen uptake rate and time delays inherent in sensing oxygen levels and changes thereof within the mixed liquor. The minimum system dissolved oxygen level can be continually calculated on the basis of an inferred food to mass ratio that would vary with sensed mixed liquor suspended solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Malcolm E. Fabiyi
  • Publication number: 20150048025
    Abstract: Method for treating iron-contaminated water using a treatment approach identified herein as the Activated Iron Solids (AIS) Process. The AIS process is capable of oxidizing and removing iron as iron oxides from iron-contaminated waters producing a clean effluent. The AIS process is performed in a single or multiple tank system in which high concentrations of AIS are suspended through mechanical mixing to maintain a catalytic surface chemistry environment that increases iron removal thousands times faster than would naturally occur and hundreds times faster than existing arts (e.g., aerobic pond passive treatment). The AIS process can utilize inexpensive alkaline material (such as, pulverized limestone) where initial mine drainage alkalinity (mg/L as CaCO3) to ferrous iron (mg/L) ratio is less than approximately 1.7.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventor: Jonathan M. Dietz
  • Publication number: 20140346109
    Abstract: There is described a number of biological nutrient removal processes including Anammox Process, Biological Phosphorus Removal (BPR), Partial Nitrification, Full Nitrification, Partial Denitrification, Full Denitrification and Denitrification via BPR taking place in a Simultaneous Treatment of Anammox/PAOs Reactor (STAR) coupled with an Anaerobic Lateral Unit (ALU). In one aspect, there is a wastewater treatment system comprises a bioreactor having three consecutive stages: and an anaerobic lateral unit (ALU) coupled to the bioreactor; the bioreactor and A LU are configured to conduct biological removal of nutrients from the wastewater using a plurality of biological processes simultaneously. The three consecutive stages of the bioreactor comprise two Anoxic stages configured consecutively followed by one Aerobic stage. The stages may be oriented vertically and use gravity for fluid flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Manuel Alvarez-Cuenca, Maryam Reza
  • Patent number: 8877049
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, water to be treated is passed through each of a first reactor vessel and second reactor vessel, phosphorus contained in the water is removed by using an adsorbent, thereafter the liquid held in each of the reactor vessels is discharged from each of a first treated water discharge path and second treated water discharge path, and thus the influence of soluble impurities derived from the water is eliminated. Further, when suspended solids impurities contained in the water are accumulated in the phosphorus adsorbent, the accumulated impurities are eliminated by a reverse cleaning operation using a liquid to be thereafter introduced from a reactor vessel liquid introduction path into the reactor vessel, and hence the influence of the suspended solids in the water on a desorption agent liquid to be thereafter introduced into a crystallization vessel, and containing phosphorus from the phosphorus adsorbent is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Shinobu Moniwa, Hidetaki Shiire, Satomi Ebihara, Masahiko Tsutsumi, Nobuyuki Ashikaga, Satoshi Haraguchi, Akiko Suzuki, Hideyuki Tsuji, Tatsuoki Kohno, Kazuhiko Noda, Katsuya Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20140263010
    Abstract: A hybrid method and system of treating wastewater with reduced energy usage is disclosed. The treatment system has a sorption system, an anaerobic digester that digests or converts at least a portion of the solids or sludge from the sorption system, and an aerobic treatment tank that partially reduces oxygen demand of a portion of the sludge from the sorption tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: EVOQUA WATER TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Wenjun Liu, Edward John Jordan, George W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20140246369
    Abstract: A process and system for treating wastewater is described. The invention degrades sludge produced by treatment of the wastewater to reduce or eliminate the need for sludge dewatering and disposal. The invention also reduces the amount of nutrient additives required to sustain the aerobic wastewater treatment process. In one embodiment the invention includes the steps of (a) providing an aerobic treatment system receiving a supply of the wastewater; (b) treating a supply of the sludge to rupture microbial cells present therein to produce treated sludge having an increased liquid:solid ratio and an increased degradation potential in comparison to untreated sludge; (c) conveying a supply of the treated sludge to the aerobic treatment system; and (d) substantially degrading the supply of treated sludge in the aerobic treatment system. The treated sludge may optionally be subjected to anaerobic digestion prior to delivery to the aerobic treatment system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: PARADIGM ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Robert John Stephenson, Scott Christopher Laliberte, Preston Yee Ming Hoy, Patrick William George Neill
  • Publication number: 20140224719
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for treating wastewater in which the majority of solids and biological oxygen demand compounds are separated from the wastewater feed using a primary separation process, to produce a solids phase and a water phase. The solids phase is irradiated to reduce the level of pathogens such that it is safe to use as a soil substitute and/or additive so that the solids can thus be disposed of in an environmentally-friendly manner. In additional embodiments, the solids that have been disinfected by radiation are mixed with a suitable inert filler material to produce a soil substitute, fertilizer, compost, or other soil additive. The liquid phase is treated in a substantially smaller system than would be required for treating the full-strength wastewater that can include a suspended media biological regeneration reactor system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicants: Saudi Arabian Oil Company, SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: William G. CONNER, Osama I. FAGEEHA, Thomas E. SCHULTZ
  • Publication number: 20140217019
    Abstract: The invention is directed to systems and methods of biological and chemical treatment of wastewater comprising organic nitrogen compounds. Systems may include: an aerobic reactor, a first separation module for separating liquid and solid components of the wastewater; an oxidation module for removing organic materials from the wastewater; and a post-anoxic reactor for denitrifying at least a portion of the wastewater. Systems may include a second separation module and various feedback recycle lines between the components. Methods may include: degrading by the aerobic reactor more than 95% of organic compounds to ammonia, oxidizing by the oxidation module at least a portion of the ammonia to nitrates, and degrading by the post-anoxic reactor at least a portion of the nitrates to nitrogen gas and water. Systems and methods may reduce total organic carbon of the wastewater by more than 90%, and total nitrogen of the wastewater by more than 90%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Infilco Degremont, Inc.
    Inventors: SUNIL MEHTA, NABIN CHOWDHURY, RICHARD UBALDI, BARBARA SCHILLING, ANTONIO LAU, BRUNO HEINIGER
  • Publication number: 20140158614
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and devices for biologically treating water and/or wastewater. The methods and devices for treating wastewater may be enhanced using an surge lifting device which moves water and/or solids using volumes of air (for liquid transfer and mixing) and the automatic sludge return mechanism, combined with alternating aeration on and off operation to achieve comprehensive nitrogen and phosphorus removal. This surge lifting device can provide occasional surges of water using large bubbles which are able to move great volume of liquid while minimizing dissolved oxygen transfer to the surrounding liquid. Use of the devices and processes herein provides a simple, eloquent approach to wastewater treatment with less operation and maintenance costs than conventional devices and/or processes. The same surge lifting device can also be installed in an anaerobic digester, and use the biogas generated below the device to automatically mix the digester, without external energy input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventor: Jianmin Wang
  • Publication number: 20140131272
    Abstract: Feed water is processed in an anaerobic digester. A solid-liquid separation device, for example a sludge screw thickener, treats a stream drawn from the digester in a recirculation loop. The solids portion is returned to the digester to increase the solids retention time and the TSS concentration in the digester. A liquid portion with less than 5% of the solids in the stream is removed and optionally treated further. The flow rate to the solid-liquid separation device is preferably greater than the influent flow rate. The solid-liquid separation device may receive digestate at a TSS concentration of 4% or more and return a solids portion having a TSS concentration of over 10%. The feed water is preferably one or more industrial waste streams having a COD concentration of 20,000 to 50,000 mg/L and a TSS concentration from 1-5%. The organic loading rate may be 10-12 kg/COD/m3/day.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: ANAERGIA INC.
    Inventor: Juan Carlos JOSSE
  • Patent number: 8685235
    Abstract: An integrated sewage biochemical treatment plant containing mechanical treatment devices, a sewage-and-sludge mixing chamber with a circulation pump and a combined biological treatment device, includes a plane feed biofilter, a spray line, collecting trays and drain collectors connected to water-jet aeratic columns sunk in the aeration zones, and aftertreatment devices. The combined biological treatment device whose capacity is 5 to 15,000 m3/day has a biofilters spray line that includes trays with emptying fittings and reflecting disks, the distance from the trays emptying fittings upper ends to the disk reflectors is 0.8 to 2 m, and the distance between the trays centers and the distance between the trays fittings axes is 0.6 to 1.8 m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Vladimir Petrovich Kolesnikov
  • Publication number: 20140083936
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: D.C. Water & Sewer Authority
    Inventors: Sudhir N. Murthy, Eugenio Giraldo, Norman D. Dockett, Haydee De Clippeleir, Bernhard Wett, Walter F. Bailey, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140076800
    Abstract: A High Efficiency Treatment System (system) wastewater treatment system including a tank with a multi-chamber tank system that is designed to remove pollutants from domestic wastewater. Embodiments of the system consist of a pretreatment chamber, which is in fluid communication with an anoxic chamber, which is in fluid communication with an aeration chamber, which is in fluid communication with a clarification chamber, and which is in fluid communication with a polishing chamber. The system can be applied to remove suspended solids, BOD, ammonia, nitrate and TKN from wastewater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventor: Gregory D. Graves
  • Publication number: 20140014589
    Abstract: To recover drilling fluid used in sample drilling at a drilling machine, when the drilling fluid exits the drill hole, and to transport it to a separate cleaning unit wherein solid matter is separated from the drilling fluid. The cleaned drilling fluid is returned to the drilling machine and reused in sample drilling. The cleaning unit has an inlet connection and two or more precipitation basins, where the solid matter accumulates on the bottom of the basin. In the bottom part of at least one precipitation basin there is a valve arrangement for removing drilling fluid sludge containing solid matter from the precipitation basin, which drilling fluid sludge is filtered with a filter arrangement. In the top part of the precipitation basin there is a transfer connection between precipitation basins or an outlet connection for taking cleaned drilling fluid out from the cleaning unit back to the drilling process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: OY KATI AB KALOJAKI
    Inventor: Tapani Niskakangas
  • Patent number: 8597507
    Abstract: The super oxidation, coagulation and flocculation system is applicable to water and wastewater chemical treatment in which oxidation, coagulation and flocculation processes take place in a single vessel. The apparatus and process can be used for treatment of domestic and industrial water and wastewater for removal of organic and inorganic contaminants. The oxidation process can be provided by several oxidizing chemicals such as ozone, hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate, chlorine and Ultra Violet Lights, and the coagulation process can be accomplished with several coagulants such as aluminum sulphide, ferric chloride, ferric sulphate. Selection of the chemicals depends on the quality of the water or wastewater to be treated and the treated water quality required, and it covers a wide range of impurities to be removed and specifically difficult to oxidize hydrocarbons and chlorinated organics, and iron, manganese, uranium, arsenic, cyanide, hydrogen sulphide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Inventor: Jan A. Korzeniowski
  • Patent number: 8518257
    Abstract: A denitrification system is disclosed, where a plurality of biological regenerated adsorptive cells or units. Each cell includes a counterflowing absorptive media and waste water to achieve a two or three zone biomass nitrate/nitrite degradation environment. The system includes a backwash water recirculation loop and a media recirculation loop, where the media recirculation loop subjects the media a sufficient shear to dislodge dead microbes and/or weakly bound microbial films from the media surface, but insufficient to substantially reduce the particle size of the friable media. Nutrient supply and distribution and gas controls are used regulate cell characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Kinder Morgan Operating L.P. “C”
    Inventors: Randy A. Galgon, Allen Ray Stickney
  • Publication number: 20130206684
    Abstract: The invention relates to a purifier (100) for the purification of a fluid such as wastewater, the purifier comprising:—a reaction vessel (10) for a fluid, the reaction vessel having a reaction chamber (11) and a bottom (12);—a downer (14) having a top end (91) and a bottom end (92), wherein the top end of the downer is connected to a fluid collector (13) to collect fluid from the reaction vessel (10), and the downer is arranged to transport the fluid towards the bottom (12) of the reaction vessel;—a solids separation device (20) arranged to separate solids from liquid, the solids separation device comprising a fluid inlet (72) arranged to introduce fluid into the solids separation device and a liquid discharge (56) arranged to remove separated liquid from the solids separation device; wherein the fluid inlet of the solids separation device (20) is connected to the bottom end (92) of the downer and the solids separation device is located on or near the bottom (12) of the reaction vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: PAQUES I.P. B.V.
    Inventor: Rienk Prins
  • Patent number: 8470172
    Abstract: A system for enhancing an activated sludge process including at least one biological reactor. A weighting agent impregnation subsystem is coupled to the biological reactor for mixing biological flocs and weighting agent to impregnate the weighting agent into the biological flocs to form weighted biological flocs. A weighting agent recovery subsystem is configured to recover the weighting agent from the weighted biological flocs and reintroducing the recovered weighting agent to the weighting agent impregnation subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Woodard, Peter G. Marston, Ionel Wechsler
  • Publication number: 20130112631
    Abstract: A sieve device (1) for untreated drilling mud being brought up from a well and a method for use is provided. The sieve device (1) has a filter device (3) to separate a share of the drilling liquid from the drill cuttings. The sieve device (1) connects to a first outlet that receives drilling cuttings held back on the filter device (3) and a second outlet (11) that receives drilling liquid flowing from the filter device (3). The sieve device (1) also has at least one secondary filter (13) to separate drill cuttings from drilling liquid, a filter guard (17) being arranged in connection with the secondary filter (12), and a bypass arrangement (19) by means of which the filter guard (17) is arranged to open for communication of untreated drilling mud held back on the secondary filter (13), into the second outlet (11) for drilling liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: Cubility AS
    Inventors: Jan Kristian Vasshus, Arne Malmin
  • Publication number: 20130032519
    Abstract: This invention is a biological sewage treatment device and system for use as a facility for the collection and purification of sewage from small and mid-sized buildings such as single-and multi-family homes, hotels, motels serving from 4 to 200 people. The invention provides for an automatically-regulating treatment process, based on low-load active sediment technology with extended oxygenation time, utilizing filtration on a suspended active sediment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventor: Bogdan Murawski
  • Patent number: 8357297
    Abstract: Anaerobic Wastewater treatment system and process in which the influent is passed through a mixing chamber and then through a series of filters of progressively smaller size to separate the materials carrying the colonized bacteria from finer solids in the influent and separate the materials according to size in a completely enclosed and flooded environment. The materials from the filters are progressively reduced to a smaller size, the materials of smaller size are returned to the mixing chamber, and new influent is inoculated with the colonized bacteria carried by the materials returned to the mixing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Inventor: Herman P. Miller, III
  • Patent number: 8318008
    Abstract: A modular, on-site, wastewater treatment system removes total nitrogen, phosphorus, BOD, and TSS. A flow equalization module provides a constant flow rate to the system eliminating the adverse effects from variations in flow rate throughout the day. Treatment modules are similarly sized to provide a compact, modular system. The nitrification module is a fixed-film, flooded packed bioreactor to facilitate bioconversion of ammonia to nitrate. Aeration of the module provides the oxygen needed for the bioconversion as well prevents clogging of the film. Solids from the nitrification process are removed in a first cone-shaped settling tank. De-nitrification where nitrate is converted to nitrogen gas takes place in an anaerobic fixed-film bioreactor. Carbon-based bio-film carriers provide a carbon source for de-nitrification. A final cone-shaped settling tank separates solids from the treated wastewater. Additional modules to address removal of phosphorous or other contaminants can be added to the modular system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: SepticNet, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven M. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20120261337
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method which recycles waste so that the effluent coming out of the system actually equals a potable water standard with essentially no contaminated sludge. In one embodiment, the solids in wastewater are subjected to aeration and enzymes in a digester for a period of time. The cleanest portion of the water from the digester is then clarified. Sludge, as well as scum, from the clarifier is vacuumed back to the digester. Clear water from the clarifier is delivered to a Recycling stage for filtering to remove suspended solids down to 5-microns. When the recycling process housing reaches saturation, a back-flushing process with clean water sends all of the captured suspended solids back into the Digester.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: Global Water Group, Incorporated
    Inventor: Alan M. Weiss
  • Patent number: 8197693
    Abstract: Sea water is not suitable for human consumption. Naturally present dissolved chemicals in sea water make it inconsumable. The precipitants and dissolved chemicals need to be separated from water to make it consumable. A combination of aeration system, filtration system, crystallizer, hydrophobic membrane carrying filter and pressure retarded osmosis system are used in various combination to desalinate the sea water. Pressure retarded osmosis process is also used to produce pressurized diluted brine which is further decompressed to by the turbine and used by the generators to produce electricity. Various heat exchange apparatus are used for energy conservation and efficient processing of water in a feasible way. The disclosure enables to purify water and provide an economical means for producing electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: King Abdulazia City for Science and Technology (KACST)
    Inventor: Saad A Al-Jlil
  • Patent number: 8157988
    Abstract: A process for water treatment, including a combination of methods from the group comprising coagulation, sedimentation, flocculation and ballast flocculation, which is further improved by the addition of a simplified sludge recirculation system. The recirculation system corresponding to this process allows higher sludge density as well as less significant water volume losses by making the sludge accumulating at the bottom of the sedimentation zone go through a hydro cyclone a certain number of times in repeated cycles thus augmenting the solid particles density of the extracted sludge. The system may also be controlled by a suspended solid analyser, a flow meter and/or a timer. The present invention also includes a method of producing specific fluid flow control behavior with this simplified sludge recirculation system, which furthermore improves the efficiency of the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies Support
    Inventor: Luc Quevillon