Abstract: A process and apparatus for reducing the volume and mass of solid waste (A) by initially subjecting the solid waste to a digestive enzymatic solution (20) agitated by fluid jets (28) under conditions which convert substrate (12) into a liquid waste which is discharged through a conventional sewage system (30). Non-biodegradable plastic shells (10) may be collected in a strainer basket (24) to be removed for further solid waste treatment such as shredding and the like.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for improvement of water quality in a pond or similar body of water. A main conduit is located below the water surface and extending generally parallel to the shoreline. A plurality of distribution conduits are attached at intervals to the main conduit and operated sequentially so that water pumped through the system causes circulation of water in the pond. Each distribution conduit will preferably incorporate an aspirator to aerate the pumped water. The pumped water will also normally contain a mixture of microorganisms, enzymes and nutrients which are discharged into the body of water to clarify the body of water of contaminants and to maintain the water quality thereafter. Also disclosed is a method of improving water quality using the apparatus and the mixture. The invention provides for thorough, efficient and rapid decontamination of ponds and elimination of stagnant areas, as well as for maintaining the ponds in clean and healthy conditions.

Abstract: A bacteria-containing two component polymer gel is provided for solubilizing particulate or colloidal organic materials in wastewater. The gel contains a minor amount of a polymer component that is difficult to solubilize by bacteria in the gel and a major amount of a polymer component that is easier to solubilize by bacteria in the gel. The gel contains bacteria for solubilizing material in wastewater and for solubilizing the gel, and nutrients for the bacteria. The gel also contains a bacteria inhibitor such as sodium sulfide or sodium azide that can diffuse out of the gel at a gel-water interface to allow bacteria to dissolve the gel at the interface while preventing an interior region of the gel from prematurely dissolving. The gel is placed in a housing through which wastewater flows and contacts the gel.

Abstract: Waste sludges containing up to 35% weight percent hydrocarbon contaminants and up to 50% weight percent inorganic materials are treated to induce acclimation of indigenous microbes present therein, the acclimated indigenous microbes thereby releasing extra-cellular enzymes capable of catalyzing hydrolysis of at least the hydrocarbon contaminants in the waste sludges. This step is pursued until a substantial increase of biological activity takes place in the waste sludges. Biological activity is allowed to continue at an increased rate until the hydrocarbon contaminants are substantially biodegraded.

Abstract: In order to reduce the build-up of slime and/or film in plants which circulates water, non-sessile microorganisms are added in single form to the circulating water, whereby the quantity of microorganisms added is about 1 to 10.sup.10 microorganisms per kg of the total organic carbon (TOC) of the organic substances present in the circulating water.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for improving the aerobic and nutrient quality of a body of water in a reservoir which contains undesirable dissolved salts and harmful microorganisms, by incorporating into the water effective amounts of oxygen-generating microorganisms, microorganisms with an affinity for dissolved salts, and enzymes and nutrients for the microorganisms, and maintaining effective concentrations of the microorganisms, enzymes and nutrients in the water while the microorganisms convert the dissolved salts into insoluble salts which precipitate and to remove or deactivate the harmful microorganisms.

Abstract: A method for bioremediation of grease traps, which includes the steps of mechanically removing solid materials such as plastic items, food particles and the like from entrances to all drain lines and the drain lines themselves terminating in the grease traps; securing loose drain line covers and replacing broken covers; preventing the flow of all chemicals which are detrimental to the growth of endemic bacterial microorganisms into the drain lines and grease traps; adjusting the pH of the water effluent in the grease traps by introducing a basic material such as baking soda into the grease traps and mixing or stirring the water, which stimulates the endemic native bacteria resident in the grease trap; and adding endemic bacterial microorganisms to one or more of the drain lines for ultimate introduction into the grease traps and biodigesting grease in the drain lines and grease traps.

Abstract: The invention is process for biologically treating ink/starch waste-water which is typically produced from the process of making paper and cardboard products. Waste-water that contains naturally occurring facultative anaerobic bacteria is placed into a first tank so that the first tank and the mixture is stirred until a pH of between about 4 to about 6 is reached. The mixture is transferred into a second tank so that the second tank and aerobic bacteria is added to the mixture in the second tank, wherein the second tank has an aeration blower so as to make oxygen available to the aerobic bacteria. The mixture is held in the second tank until the mixture reaches aerobic equilibrium with a pH between about 7 and about 8. After reaching this equilibrium, the wastewater can be used in up to 100% makeup to prepare high quality corrugating adhesive of consistent paramenters for viscosity and gelatinization temperature.

Abstract: A process for the production of the enzyme cyanide hydratase which comprises continuously cultivating a microorganism strain under specified conditions of temperature, pH and dilution rate whilst continuously supplying cyanide ions and/or hydrogen cyanide and/or compounds which generate cyanide ions and/or hydrogen cyanide under fermentation conditions to the culture. A method for the treatment of a cyanide-containing material to degrade the cyanide therein which uses cyanide hydratase produced by the process of the invention is also claimed. Preferably the microorganism is a Fusarium strain, in particular Fusarium lateritium Naas CM1 300533 deposited at The Commonwealth Mycological Institute, Kew, Richmond Surrey, England under the terms of the Budapest Treaty.

Abstract: An aqueous medium in which glucoamylase is dissolved, is contacted with nitrogen-functionalized amorphous precipitated silica having a pore diameter at the maximum of the volume pore size distribution function of from about 7 to about 100 nanometers, whereby at least a portion of the glucoamylase is adsorbed by the nitrogen-functionalized amorphous precipitated silica. The process is particularly suitable for removing glucoamylase from draught beer.

Abstract: A chemical product and method for accelerated biodegradation of petroleum on water. The chemical product includes a fermentation product portion and a surfactant containing emulsifier portion which has a monosodium glutamate additive.

Abstract: A soil bioremediation material. A material for improvement of soil conditions includes a mixture of about 85-92% by weight water, about 5-9% by weight molasses from raw sugar, about 2-4% by weight unrefined sugar, about 0.5-1.5% by weight malt, about 0.05-0.2% by weight yeast with the malt to yeast ratio being in the range of 8:1 to 12:1.

Abstract: A novel cyanide converting enzyme, a "cyanidase" is described.The enzyme is extremely efficient in reducing substantial concentrations of cyanide to very low levels in a broad pH, and temperature range, and in the presence of organics and metal ions.

Abstract: A sanitation system for treating a black water stream and a grey water stream. The black water stream is inputted into a black water digester wherein the black water stream is aerobically digested to produce a treated black water stream and the treated black water stream is discharged from the black water digester. The treated black water stream is inputted into a black and grey water digester and the grey water stream also is inputted into the black and grey water digester. The treated black water stream and the grey water stream are aerobically digested in the black and grey water digester to produce a treated black and grey water stream and the treated black and grey water stream is outputted from the black and grey water digester.

Abstract: For the immobilization of micro-organisms and animal cells, in particular for anaerobic processes, such as the purification of waste water or for the biotechnological production of nutrition-essential or pharmacological substances, porous, sintered bodies are employed (inorganic carrier bodies). In particular, sintered glass in the form of Raschig rings with a double-pore structure, are employed. They have porosity-determining through-going macropores that permit a free exchange of fluid and gas from the interior of the carrier to the surroundings, and open micropores within the macropore walls, the diameter of the micropores being of the same order of magnitude as the size of the micro-organisms or cells. These carrier bodies typically have an open pore volume of 35% to 85%, 20% to 80% being accounted for by the macropores having a diameter of 20 to 500 .mu.m, and 5%-50% by micropores having a diameter of 1-10 .mu.m.

Abstract: An improved powdered adsorbent enhanced sludge process for the treatment of wastewater is disclosed that allows for in situ recovery of unregenerated powdered adsorbent. In situ recovery is performed by contacting a mixture of activated sludge and spent powdered adsorbent at disassociation conditions whereby cell lysis occurs. The cell lysis allows for physical separation of the spent powdered adsorbent from the activated sludge, thus allowing for recycle of adsorbent without the need for a regeneration process.

Abstract: The invention relates to the conditioning of liquid organic substances and biomass, particularly of municipal sewage sludge, with the help of chelating agents and enzymes, by breaking the organic substance down in an aerobic-conditioning reactor by addition of chelating agents and enzymes, this is discontinued prior to the complete dissolution of the organic matter after a time period of 0.5 to 20 hours. The mixture of substances is then subjected to an open-top non-aerated postreaction phase of 5 to 15 hours during which biogenous flocculation takes place. A solid-liquid separation follows.

Abstract: Addition of alkaline proteolytic enzymes derived from Bacillis licheniformis in the anaerobic stage of bacterial digestion processes to improve the settling properties of the bacterial biomass.

Abstract: A method for solubilizing particulate or colloidal materials in wastewater treatment comprising the steps of cultivating aerobic bacteria in the presence of oxygen in an activator solution containing a food source until the level of the food source drops below 50 mg/l of soluble chemical oxygen demand (sCOD) and said bacteria begin producing increased amounts of enzymes which solubilize particulate or colloidal materials thereby producing activated bacteria and thereafter contacting said activated bacteria or enzymes with said particulate or colloidal materials under conditions which solubilize said particulate or colloidal materials. The method is particularly useful for solubilizing particulate and/or colloidal materials containing insoluble starch, grease, fat and protein with enzymes such as amylase, lipase and/or protease.

Abstract: A device suitable for seeding bacterial cultures to waste flowing through or which has accumulated in a collection system which comprises a porous outer covering member which forms an enclosed package with a source of bacterial cultures contained within said package, said cultures suitable for seeding a collection system as a waste stream flows through the porous covering member of said enclosed package causing the bacteria to be released into said waste stream.

Abstract: A process for automatically treating a drain system to prevent or at least minimize clogging problems particularly in grease traps of the type provided in restaurants and other food preparation establishments. The process employs an apparatus which includes a valve for directing fresh water into the grease trap for pretreating the trap in preparation for the injection of bioactive liquid cultures by the pump. The liquid cultures liquify and digest contaminants in the grease trap which are flushed therefrom by fresh water. The apparatus is controlled by a system which cyclically operates the apparatus in accordance with a preferred operational sequence and at adjustably variable time periods.

Abstract: A process for treating waste water containing both phenolic compounds being toxic for methanogenic organisms and degradable non-phenolic compounds prior to its anaerobic purification as well as a process for detoxifying waste water containing phenolic compounds being toxic for aquatic organisms by subjecting said waste water to an oxidative treatment in such a way that no or virtually no precipitation is formed of the polyphenol compounds produced and virtually no influence is executed on the biochemical oxygen demand and the chemical oxygen demand of the waste water.

Abstract: Contaminating amounts of certain halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons are degraded and removed from water such as drinking water and industrial waste water, by treatment of the water with a microorganism that is effective to metabolize gaseous hydrocarbons by the action of monooxygenase enzyme.

Abstract: Paramagnetic metals are separated from aqueous media containing them in low concentration by first fixing the metals on bacterial yeast or other cells so as to render the cells magnetic, and then recovering the cells by a high gradient magnetic separation technique. The metal and the cells are contacted in the presence of a compound which is converted by the cells into a product which interacts with the metal and causes it to become bound to the cells. The process is particularly useful for removing low concentrations of highly toxic metals, e.g. uranium, from industrial effluents containing them.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel process for decolorization of E1 effluent. Specifically, novel enzymes, designated rLDM.TM., and other ligninolytic enzymes present in the extracellular growth medium from a fermentation of Phanerochaete chrysosporium, are used to decolorize the effluent.

Abstract: It was found difficult to carry out anaerobic treatment of peroxide-containing wastewater. According to the invention, the problem is solved in that the peroxide content of the water is reduced in a catalytic pretreatment step (1), preferably an enzymatic pretreatment step.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of treating wastewater from the manufacture of peroxide bleached mechanical or chemi-mechanical pulp. The method comprises a hydrolysis step, a methane fermentation steps and an aerobic step. After the hydrolysis and methane fermentation steps, sludge is separated from the wastewater and partially recycled to the hydrolysis step. The redox potential of the outgoing water from the hydrolysis step is continuously measured and controlled to a value between -400 and -260 mV by regulating the amount of sludge recycled or by passing ingoing wastewater directly to the aerobic treating step.

Abstract: The present invention is a process to stimulate the biooxidation of a contaminant in a subterranean formation by introducing an aqueous solution into the formation. The concentration of the hydrogen peroxide is increased thereby acclimating the biota to higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. Periodically the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide is increased for a short time sufficiently to be toxic to the biota at or relatively adjacent to the site of introduction, thereby increasing the permeability of the formation at or adjacent to the site of introduction.

Abstract: A method of killing and inhibiting the growth of microorganisms in industrial process streams comprises the addition of an enzymatically catalyzed biocide system utilizing a microbial or plant dehydrogenase enzyme such as peroxidase or laccase in the presence of an oxidant such as hydrogen peroxide or oxygen to oxidize phenolic compounds found in or added to the process streams to produce oxidation products that are toxic to microorganisms.

Abstract: Cyanide degrading fungi are grown in the mycalial form. The mycelium is then immobilized and the immobilized mycelium used to degrade cyanide ion in cyanide containing effluents. At least 95% of the cyanide ion is degraded.

Abstract: A method is described for converting substantially untreated organic sludge into useful substances. The sludge may include primary sludge, a mixture of primary and secondary sludges from municipal wastewater treatment facilities, slurries of agricultural manure, and other organic wastes. The sludge is mechanically comminuted to reduce the size of organic solids, the sludge is then further mechanically disintegrated and thereafter it is subjected to enzyme hydrolysis to produce a biologically stable colloidal slurry with improved biochemical potential reactivity. Typically, the hydrolysis step is followed by a further cell/particle disintegration step and a secondary hydrolysis step. If necessary, heavy metals are removed from the suspension in a chelating step which are recovered as a recyclable concentrate. The suspension can be used as a liquid fertilizer or it can be dewatered. If used as a liquid fertilizer the suspension can be inoculated with microalgae to enrich the fertilizer with nitrogen.

Abstract: A method and equipment for secondary sewage treatment by anaerobic treatment of sewage after the sewage has passed from a septic tank or other primary treatment device. The effluent from the primary treatment device is directed to the lower annular volume of the wrap-around anaerobic filter. The outer side wall boundaries of the wrap-around filter are defined by a permeable or impermeable earth retention cloth while the inner boundary is defined by the primary treatment device. The anaerobic filter is composed of gravel or other surface contact media. After the effluent reaches the lower annular volume, the effluent is directed through the void spaces of the anaerobic wrap-around upflow filter. Having passed through the filter the effluent is delivered to the drain field or other final treatment facility.

Abstract: A method is described for converting treated sludge into an improved concentrated organic feedstock. The method includes conditioning of sludge with hydrolytic enzymes, the mechanical disintegration of tissue and cell components, the removal of heavy metals, autolysis and dewatering to produce an organic fertilizer or feedstock. Product stabilization for long-term storage is achieved by acidification or addition of granular sorbents. Agricultural fertilizers are produced from input raw material such as sludge from municipal waste-water treatment facilities or sludge from biological processing of other organic wastes. Animal feed protein concentrates are produced from cultured cellular biomass sludge inputs. The separated heavy metals fraction may be refined to recover individual minerals. Energy usually expended for disposal of sludge as wastes may be applied to recycling such sludge into useful products of this invention.

Abstract: A process for the enzymatic streatment of waste water of wheat starch plants in which the waste water is subjected before or alternating with the first steps of the concentration process to a process at least consisting of(a) a heat treatment followed by separation of the solid substance, and(b) a treatment with enzyme preparations exhibiting amylase and/or cellulase and/or hemi-cellulase activity and optionally glucoamylase and/or .beta.-glucanase activity.