Abstract: Waste-treatment processes are enhanced through generation and introduction of specific biological populations customized to perform or favor specific tasks either during the main process, for the formation or precipitation of certain biological nutrients, or to accomplish solids formation reduction in a post-treatment process. These bacteria may be grown from specialized mixes of activated sludge and waste influent by exposing these materials to controlled environments (e.g., in an off-line treatment area). They may then be returned to the main process to perform certain tasks such as converting particulate cBOD into soluble cBOD for utilization, to reduce high solids yield organisms by supplementing the population characteristics with low yield organism characteristics, to provide biological nutrients or oxygenation assistance, to improve nitrification/denitrification efficiency, or to disfavor filamentous biology such as Norcardia sp.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system is provided including an aerobic membrane bioreactor and an anaerobic digester system connected to receive wasted solids continuously from the aerobic membrane bioreactor and also connected to return effluent from the anaerobic digester system continuously to the aerobic membrane bioreactor. Further, a process is provided for treating wastewater including the step of wasting a volume fraction of organic cell mass from an aerobic membrane bioreactor to an anaerobic digester system and maintaining a solids retention time (SRT) in the bioreactor that is (1) greater than a time needed to achieve growth of organisms suitable for converting carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD) into cell mass and (2) less than a time at which substantial decay of the organisms occurs. The system and process may further include optional pretreatment and/or phosphorus and/or nitrogen removal downstream of the membrane bioreactor system.

Abstract: A method and a plant to remove metals by biosorption from mining or industrial effluents comprising: (a) subject the effluent to at least one first stage of pre-treatment, selecting among: precipitation by pH rising, solvent extraction or solvent extraction on emulsified membranes in order to reduce its load of metals to a concentration level that allows it to be treated by the next stage of biosorption, and (b) subject the liquid that has been previously in the stage of pre-treatment to a second stage of continuous metals removal by biosorption.

Abstract: The present invention may be used for treatment of waste streams using domestic wastewater. A concentrate waste stream containing one or more of perchlorate, nitrate, bromate, selenate and chromate may be combined with a domestic wastewater stream. The concentrate waste stream may have not less than 3000 mg/l of total dissolved solids. The concentrate waste stream and domestic wastewater stream may be combined at a ratio of between 20% volumetric flow rate and 75% volumetric flow rate to produce a blended stream. The blended stream may be processed in a bioreactor.

Abstract: Disclosed are a membrane coupled activated sludge method and apparatus operating anoxic/anaerobic processes alternately for removal of nitrogen and phosporus, wherein nitrogen and phosphorous together with organics in the sewage, wastewater, filthy water etc. can be simultaneously removed with an economic and efficient manner, an operation thereof is easy and efficient, a capacity thereof is high and the method is economic due to the reduced operating costs with performing measurement and control of a recycle rate, a recycle time of alternate operation of the anoxic and anaerobic process, an amount of sludge, an amount of aeration and an operation of a blower for an intermittent membrane cleaning.

Abstract: Method and apparatus (8) in which a biomass is carried on a substrate which is fluidised. The fluidised substrate has below it a lazer of distributor particles through which the fluidising medium passes prior to contact with the fluidised substrate and biomass associated therewith. The effect of the distributor layer is that the particles damp out excessive turbulence in the fluidising medium thus preventing undue turbulence of the medium within the fluidised layer. This has the advantage of controlling, to some extent, the thickness of the biofilm, which may be carried by the fluidised substrate particles. The particles may be recycles (1, 2, 5) through the distributor layer where the action of the distributor particles serve to strip exces biofilm from the substrate particles which latter are then returned to the fluidised bed.

Abstract: Processes for the treatment of organic waste are disclosed comprising digesting organic waste under anaerobic conditions so as to convert at least a portion of the organic waste and produce a clear decant and a mixture of biomass and unconverted organic compounds, returning at least a portion of the mixture of biomass and unconverted organic compounds to the digesting step so as to control the system net growth rate therein, partially oxidizing at least a portion of the mixture of biomass and unconverted organic compounds to produce a conditioned effluent therein, and returning the conditioned effluent to the digesting step.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for treating wastewater containing biodegradable material wherein a submerged stand alone perforated cylinder reactor pod containing aerobic bacterial growth media and a draft tube with air pressure induced pumping action creates a spray or splash pattern so as to recirculated aerated liquor through the media and also to the area surrounding the cylinder pod. Free interchange of mixed and unmixed liquor is provided via the perforations in the cylindrical pod wall. Provision is also made for back flushing the media and returning mixed liquor to an area remote from the reactor pod.

Abstract: An aerobic digester system in a wastewater treatment plant is made more versatile for different conditions by addition of an equalizer basin or in some embodiments, a bypass pipe. If infeed is received from a sequential batch reactor or from a concentrated septage, for example, the equalizer basin can contain one batch, and then deliver the batch out incrementally to a gravity thickener basin. The equalizer basin also enables the gravity thickener of the system to be removed from service when needed, providing increased flexibility for the system. Importantly, the equalizer or bypass enables versatile modes of operation so that a plant designed for a larger, later flow can operate at an initially low flow or at several levels of flow before reaching the largest design flow. This applies to other conditions of variable flow as well such as seasonal.

Abstract: The present invention disclose a process for treating a wastewater from a foodstuff factory, wherein the pipelines are cleaned and the containers are sterilized by using a water containing peracetic acid as an disinfection agent. The process of the present invention includes aerating or stirring the wastewater to decompose the peracetic acid contained therein, and carrying out an aerobic treatment to decompose the organic compounds in the wastewater. Peracetic acid is in the unstable peroxidation state, and can be decomposed into acetic acid by self-oxidation-reduction. The process of the present invention uses aeration or stirring to trigger the decomposition of the peracetic acid, so that the disinfection function thereof is reduced, and thus the aerobic treatment can be conducted to decompose the organic compounds in the wastewater.

Abstract: A fluid treatment system and method for dissolving a gas into a fluid and subsequently allowing microbial or chemical reactions with the fluid mixture to decontaminate the fluid. The system comprises a pressurized gas transfer reactor, a depressurization device, a means of rapid dilution, a reactor, and a means of secondary clarification. Gas is dissolved into a fluid within the pressurized gas transfer reactor. The fluid is then transferred to the depressurization device where it is depressurized and diluted. Thereafter, or concurrently, the fluid flows into the reactor where microbes consume contaminants and dissolved gas within the fluid. The decontaminated fluid then either flows into a secondary clarification tank or membrane system where the bacteria within the decontaminated fluid are removed, or the fluid is recycled through the system. The method of present invention utilizes the system of present invention and operates pumps and a regenerative turbine or throttling valve.

Abstract: Method for purification of process water, in particular coming from a kerosene desulfurization plant, and related plant, comprising the steps of neutralizing the process water, carrying out a washing of the process water by a solvent, and biologically treating the process water with bacteria apt to degrade pollutants.

Abstract: A method for reducing the production of sludge derived from the treatment of wastewater. The sludge is subjected to a mechanical action in the presence of a gas containing oxygen. The mechanical action is performed in such a way as to destroy the cell walls of between 5% and 80% of the microorganisms present in the sludge.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for biological treatment of an effluent in order to purify it comprising treating said effluent in a first step which consists in an anaerobic biological treatment (13), with sulphate-reducing biomass fixed on a mobile support (13), producing a first effluent, then treating the first effluent in a second which consists in an anoxic biological treatment (14), with stationary sulphur-oxidizing biomass (14), producing a second effluent, and finally treating the second effluent in a third step which consists in an aerobic biological treatment (15), with stationary nitrifying biomass, producing a third purified effluent. Said method further comprises recycling part of the effluent present in the third step to the second step. The biomass present in the first step comprises sulphate-reducing bacteria, the biomass present in the second step comprises sulphur-oxidizing bacteria and the biomass present in the third step comprises nitrifying bacteria.

Abstract: The wastewater treatment system includes at least one fluidized bed reactor, such as a vessel containing media to which biofilms may attach. The vessel has an inlet and an outlet adjacent a bottom, and an overflow outlet adjacent a top, of the vessel. An element for admitting wastewater into the vessel and for agitating wastewater therein with sufficient energy to scour biofilm from the media, and for admitting additional wastewater into the vessel following a predetermined time to a level sufficient to cause water and at least some of the scoured biofilm to exit via the overflow outlet. Wastewater is drainable through the bottom outlet after a predetermined time for permitting aeration of the media. These fill and drain cycles effect a “tidal” nitrification and denitrification of the wastewater, with, for example, ammonia being converted ultimately to nitrogen gas.

Abstract: A process that removes nitrogen by the MLE Process or nitrogen and phosphorus by the Bio-P Process from municipal or industrial wastewaters by combining at least one dual-use jet recirculation pump with jet manifolds disposed at the bottoms of deep tanks functioning as Reactors to withdraw mixed liquor from a flow-connected tank and mixed liquor from a downstream tank in selected amounts, both mixed liquors being pumped to the jet manifold within the flow-connected tank that mixes the contents of the tank, whereby higher operating costs for electric power and higher capital costs for larger pumps and piping are avoided.

Abstract: The method of treatment of a body or bodies of liquid, that is essentially aqueous, and containing other components, the method including introducing O2 molecules into said liquid body or bodies to increase dispersed or dissolved oxygen content of the liquid, and allowing at least some of the dispersed or dissolved O2 to sink in the body of liquid for retention and treatment of said other components. A submerged venturi is preferably used to entrain air in a stream of such liquid, sub-micron oxygen being formed and dispersed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating waste water containing biological wastes such as animal waste generated in livestock-raising operations, wherein the waste water is subjected to a series of operations to separate solids from the liquid phase of the waste water and to biologically treat the waste water to break down organic components. The separated solids are stored for further treatment or conversion into useful materials. The treated liquid phase can be put to various uses. In one embodiment, the treated liquid is recycled as flush water for flushing animal waste from an animal barn, whereby little or no liquid phase escapes the system into the surrounding environment.

Abstract: A soil-based disposal trench that has failed from a biomat slime is recovered by adding a facultative anaerobic bacteria to an effluent that flows into the disposal trench. The facultative anaerobic bacteria consumes the biomat slime and, in one embodiment, supplants a strictly aerobic bacteria in the soil that converts nitrites to nitrates. As a result, the facultative anaerobic bacteria interrupt the conventional process of nitrification, changing the nitrites to nitrogen gas.

Abstract: A new biofilm-activated sludge Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) treatment process for sewage or wastewater has successfully been developed as the third generation SBR (SBR3). This new SBR3 process utilizes a multi-stage and multi-sludge SBR configuration receiving either continuous or intermittent inflow of wastewater. Each stage has individually controlled continuous or alternating anaerobic/anoxic/aerobic operation, with or without mixing and recycling from the other stage(s). The configuration and operation is dependent upon the treatment objectives and effluent discharge requirements. In the preferred embodiment, carriers are used to facilitate control of operating conditions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus employing membrane filtration in biodegradation processes for treatment of wastewater are described. A bioreactor system is described having an equalization system, a membrane bioreactor system, and a controller. Aeration systems for a membrane bioreactor, such as a mixer, and an ultrafilter subsystem are also described, as is a rotary membrane ultrafilter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of biological treatment of wastewater by means of activated sludge, wherein the wastewater is introduced first into an aerated activated sludge tank (B tank) and then by turns into one of several sedimentation and recirculation tanks (SU tanks), which are permanently linked with said B tank and in which a separation of activated sludge and clear water occurs, and after separation activated sludge is returned to the B tank and clear waters is drawn off; several times a day, in the SU tanks an operating cycle proceeds comprising a stirring phase (R phase), a pre-settling phase (V phase) and a discharge phase (A phase). In the R phase the activated sludge is remixed with the water, in the V phase the activated sludge settles down and in the A phase clear water is drawn off (single basin technique).

Abstract: A bioreactor that has an internal sludge return function for treating wastewater is provided. Said bioreactor comprises a mixing zone (18), a static zone (28), and a mixed liquor circulation channel (26). The internal sludge return is accomplished by the integration of said static zone (28) that settles sludge, and said mixed liquor circulation channel (26) that provides a circulating stream of the mixed liquor for carrying settled sludge back to the mixing zone (18). Therefore, the microorganism concentration in the bioreactor of this invention is increased compared with conventional suspended-growth bioreactors, resulting in the improved wastewater treatment performance, reduced bioreactor size, simplified operation, reduced clarifier size, etc. The bioreactor of this invention can be operation in aerobic, anoxic, and anaerobic conditions to serve various wastewater treatment purposes.

Abstract: A soil-based disposal trench that has failed from a biomat slime is recovered by adding a facultative anaerobic bacteria to an effluent that flows into the disposal trench. The facultative anaerobic bacteria consumes the biomat slime and, in one embodiment, supplants a strictly aerobic bacteria in the soil that converts nitrites to nitrates. As a result, the facultative anaerobic bacteria interrupt the conventional process of nitrification, changing the nitrites to nitrogen gas.

Abstract: A closed bioreactor for high organic carbon removal and ammonia conversion in high-strength wastes under microgravity conditions. Oxygen is provided to the bioreactor by diffusion through a non-porous hydrophobic membrane in a recirculation line, allowing a high rate of oxygen transfer while minimizing the opportunity for formation of bubbles. Operating the bioreactor as a closed unit at elevated pressures keeps the oxygen in the dissolved phase. The oxygen transfer within the reactor is thus much more efficient and uniform than in similar reactors having both a liquid and gaseous phase.

Abstract: A process is provided for full treatment of animal manure and other organic slurries containing suspended solids, and dissolved organic matter, nitrogen, and phosphorus, without the need for anaerobic digestion or anaerobic stabilization lagoons. The process includes: centrifugal decanting, flocculation, dissolved air flotation thickening, centrate heating, acidification in fluidized bed reactor, biological removal of phosphorus, nitrogen and dissolved organic matter in microfiltration membrane bioreactor and disinfection with ultraviolet radiation. The process separates liquids from solids, converts solids into organo-mineral fertilizer pellets, and treats the liquid to dischargeable standards. Land application for effluent disposal is not required because the treatment removes all nutrients.

Abstract: In a vertical shaft bioreactor, improved devices and methods are provided for enhanced secondary and/or tertiary treatment of wastewater, including residential, municipal and industrial wastewater. The devices and methods of the invention are useful for enhanced secondary wastewater treatment, including BOD and TSS removal. Tertiary treatment can alternately or additionally be achieved in the bioreactor with nitrification of ammonia, with nitrification and denitrification, and with nitrification, denitrification, and chemical phosphorus removal. A vertical shaft bioreactor is also provided which achieves thermophilic aerobic digestion and pasteurization of sewage sludges, optionally to produce class A biosolids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel ex situ processes for simple and economical destruction of air, water, and soil contaminants using naturally occurring microorganisms that are widely available in the environment. The processes utilize novel closed-loop recycle schemes which dramatically improve the efficiency, economics, and practicability of destruction of a wide variety of contaminants, especially VOCs and chloroethylenes, and particularly trichloroethylene (TCE). The processes may be applied on a batch or continuous basis to contaminated soil and groundwater, to contaminated effluents from a wide variety industrial operations, or to wherever such amenable contaminants are present. Certain contaminants, particularly chloroethylenes, are known to be difficult to biodegrade aerobically to non-toxic products without the employment of a primary substrate to induce cometabolic degradation.

Abstract: A compact nitrogen reduction wastewater treatment system for treating a waste liquid, the system comprising a single tank. The tank includes an inlet, an aerobic treatment compartment, an anoxic treatment compartment, a suspended micromedia compartment, an aerator, and a tank outlet. The aerobic treatment compartment includes aerobic treatment bacteria and is in fluid communication with the tank inlet. The anoxic treatment compartment is laterally disposed relative to, and in fluid communication with, the aerobic treatment compartment. The suspended micromedia compartment includes separating media. It is positioned laterally relative to, and is in fluid communication with, the anoxic treatment compartment. The suspended micromedia compartment is also laterally disposed relative to, and in fluid communication with, the aerobic treatment compartment.

Abstract: A waste water treatment process for biologically removing phosphates incorporates a membrane filter. The process includes three zones, an anaerobic zone, an anoxic zone and an aerobic zone containing an anaerobic, anoxic and aerobic mixed liquor. Water to be treated flows first into the anaerobic zone. Anaerobic mixed liquor flows to the anoxic zone. Anoxic mixed liquor flows both back to the anaerobic zone and to the aerobic zone. The aerobic mixed liquor flows to the anoxic zone and also contacts the feed side of a membrane filter. The membrane filter treats the aerobic mixed liquor to produce a treated effluent lean in phosphorous, nitrogen, COD, suspended solids and organisms at a permeate side of the membrane filter and a liquid rich in rejected solids and organisms. Some or all of the material rejected by the membrane filter is removed from the process either directly or by returning the material rejected by the membrane filter to the anoxic or aerobic zones and wasting aerobic sludge.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment method for removing organic matter and nitrogen from wastewater. In the wastewater treatment method, an excessive amount of organic matter which prevents nitrifying bacteria from growing is removed in a leading aeration tank, and the conditions of the aeration tank are optimized using the nitrifying carrier to which a great amount of nitrifying bacteria can be attached for growth, such that the nitrifying bacteria can multiply therein. As a result, a large amount of wastewater can be treated within a short time, and it is possible to stably cope with a change in load of the organic matter of the wastewater. Thus, the wastewater treatment apparatus can be smaller, and an improvement in performance thereof can be expected. Also, the wastewater can be treated stably during the winter season when the activity of the nitrifying bacteria becomes low, so that the wastewater treatment method according to the present invention can be applied to most wastewater treatment plants, e.g.

Abstract: A process for treating water to reduce pollutants using a fluidized bed (41) supporting microorganisms, ozonated pollutants and a carbon source for the microorganisms is described. The process provides very efficient degradation of the pollutants in drinking water, for instance.

Abstract: A method and system for treating wastewater in an onboard ship sewage treatment system having controlled suspended solids, the method comprising the steps of collecting wastewater in a collection tank and transferring the wastewater to a bioreactor to oxidize organic material contained in the wastewater by adding oxygen-containing gas thereto. The bioreactor is operated to provide a mixed liquor having a solids concentration of at least 5 g/l and the solids concentration is continuously increased in the mixed liquor in the bioreactor to not greater than 30 g/l. When the solids concentration in the mixed liquor reaches at least 15 g/l, a portion of the mixed liquor is removed from the bioreactor. Thereafter, wastewater is added to the bioreactor to decrease the solids concentration of remaining or residual mixed liquor to not less than 5 g/l. The bioreactor is further operated to increase the solids content again.

Abstract: A improved activated sludge system and method for treating wastewater containing contaminants is disclosed which offers a broad array of advantages over conventional activated sludge wastewater treatment systems, including smaller size, higher rates of operation, higher oxygen transfer efficiency, lower operating costs, and a substantially decreased level of excess sludge production. The improved activated sludge waste treatment system of the present invention has two processing tanks rather than the several tanks that are commonly found in activated sludge systems for treatment and sludge management equalizations, including anaerobic processes. The first processing tank is a contact tank which hosts a reaction which functions not merely to digest the maximum amount of contaminants, but instead to bind contaminants to the microorganisms through absorption, adsorption, precipitation, or digestion so that they can then be removed from the liquid in a solid/liquid separator.

Abstract: The invention relates to an effluent treatment process and to a plant for treating effluent. The plant comprises a pair of elongate vessels, one vessel being for aerobic and the other being for anoxic metabolisation of effluent by microorganisms in the form of biomass-coated particles, each vessel having a downcomer zone and a riser zone. The first riser zone of the vessel for anoxic metabolisation communicates with the downcomer zone of the vessel for aerobic metabolisation.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment process providing nitrogen, phosphorus, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and suspended solids removal comprises the steps of:

Abstract: Organic waste disposal equipment and systems that make use of microbes' bioactivities with a feature of circulation mechanism so that wastes stored at the bottom part of a treatment tank is transferred to the upper part of its own or other tanks by lifting conveyors, and organic waste disposal equipment and systems that make use of microbes' bioactivities with a feature in its structure of having treatment tanks and lifting conveyors so that wastes stored at the bottom part of a treatment tank is transferred to the upper part of its own or other tanks by lifting conveyors.

Abstract: One or more flow equalization basins or lagoons are utilized for performing hydrolysis of ATP as the first stage of biological phosphorus reduction, selective reduction of biological oxygen demand (BOD), deamination, and denitrification of nitrate and nitrite compounds, in addition to simultaneous flow equalization of wastewater produced by food processing operations on a 2-to-6-day schedule. The inflow half of a single basin or an entire first basin is. operated on an anaerobic/anoxic basis. The outflow half of the single basin or an entire second basin, if present, is operated on an anoxic/aerobic basis. A downstream nitrification reactor is operated on an aerobic/anoxic basis or is operated exclusively on an aerobic basis if followed by an anoxic reactor.

Abstract: A waste and wastewater treatment and recycling system separates blackwater and greywater at their respective sources and includes a waste separation system for decomposing the blackwater into water vapor and carbon dioxide gas, a wastewater treatment system for circulating, aerating, and separating the greywater into precipitated solid matter and treated water, and a filtration, disinfection, and water recycling system for filtering and disinfecting the treated water to form recyclable water. The precipitated solid matter is transferred to the waste separation system and the recyclable water is passed through a membrane filtration system to form potable water. A monitoring system monitors and controls operation of the waste separation system, the wastewater treatment system, and the filtration, disinfection, and water recycling system.

Abstract: Method of monitoring the efficiency of the aeration systems of biological basins of a wastewater treatment plant, characterized in that it consists in: i) measuring the throughput (Qt) of the plant and the rate (Qr) of recirculation of the mixed liquor from the clarifier to the aeration basin; and ii) measuring the concentration of dissolved oxygen in the aeration basin so as: a) to establish, during an aeration period, the material balance between oxygen supplied, oxygen consumed and oxygen discharged with the effluent; b) to establish, during a non-aeration period, the material balance between oxygen consumed and oxygen discharged with the effluent; c) to determine the amount of oxygen consumed by the biomass based on the two material balances established above; and d) to determine, from the data obtained at a), b) and c) , the value of the transfer coefficient &agr;kLa under the conditions of the measurement.

Abstract: Oxygen is mixed with waste water at an early stage in a water treatment facility, to reduce odor caused by anaerobic reactions of sulfur. Waste water is withdrawn from a collection basin, by a pump connected to a suction pipe, and is mixed with oxygen from an external source. The mixture, having been saturated with oxygen, is then returned to the collection basin through a discharge pipe. The end of the discharge pipe is positioned at a higher vertical level than the end of the suction pipe, to prevent gas from entering the pump which would cause cavitation. Also, the end of the discharge pipe has a blind flange, such that the oxygen-enriched water exiting the discharge pipe flows in a direction which is non-parallel to the axis of the pipe. This arrangement provides better mixing of the oxygen with the water in the basin, and prevents the oxygen-enriched water from flowing too soon to the suction pipe.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus using a plasma reactor and a method of water treatment are disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing having a polluted water inlet and a polluted water outlet; a plurality of beads filled into the interior of the housing; a pair of electrodes, one of the electrodes contacting with the bottom of the housing, another of the electrodes contacting an upper portion of the uppermost beads; and a pulse generator connected with the electrodes by a power cable for generating pulses.

Abstract: A new sulfur-reducing bacterium denoted as KT7 is described. It is a low-GC Gram-positive bacterium related to the genus Desulfotomaculum, capable of reducing sulfite and sulfate to sulfide, having an optimum growth at a temperature between 48 and 70° C. at a pH of between 5 and 9 and at a conductivity of the liquid medium between 0 and 40 mS/cm. It can be used in a process for removing sulfur compounds from water, wherein the sulfur-containing water is subjected to anaerobic treatment with the new sulfur-reducing bacteria, with the addition of an electron donor. The sulfur-containing water can be spent scrubbing liquid from a flue gas desulfurization step.

Abstract: The invention relates to an effluent treatment plant and to a method for treating effluent. The plant comprises a pair of elongate vessels (5, 12), one vessel (12) being for aerobic and the other (5) being for anoxic metabolisation of effluent by microorganismas, each vessel having a downcomer zone (4, 11) and a riser zone (7, 14). The first riser zone (7) of the vessel (5) for anoxic metabolisation communicates with the downcomer zone (11) of the vessel (12) for aerobic metabolisation.

Abstract: A method of biologically cleaning polluted water uses active sludge and at least three zones, where at least one zone operates as a biological treatment zone and at least two zones variably operate as a biological treatment zone and as a clarifying zone. By this method, the polluted water is fed to a zone operating as a permanent biological treatment zone, where a back-mixing is performed during a period between this zone and a zone variably operating as a biological treatment zone and which has operated as a clarifying zone during a previous period. As a result, the drawbacks are overcome which the known T- and V-channel methods are encumbered with.

Abstract: A recycling process for garbage containing a high proportion of paper where printed paper is first separated from the garbage. The garbage is then into pieces and light and heavy components are separated out in a classification tank. The remaining organic mass suspended in water is hydrolyzed and subjected to anaerobic digestion followed by aerobic co-composting. The resulting solid is a high grade fertilizer while biogas produced by the process is converted to electrical energy in a combined cycle installation.

Abstract: An apparatus for wastewater treatment, includes a calorie reducer first vessel having an inlet and an outlet, the outlet adapted to control the retention time of wastewater within the first vessel. A first recycle pump is connected to the first vessel to recycle wastewater from a bottom of the first vessel to a top of the first vessel through a recycle conduit, at a high velocity. The recycle conduit provides an air gap for drawing air into the first vessel. Bacteria within the calorie reducer vessel consume biodegradable food with a minimum number of bacteria while in the log growth phase. A second bio-reducer vessel is connected to the calorie reducer vessel. The bio-reducer holds a media supported above a bottom reservoir. A bio-reducer recycle pump recycles wastewater within the reservoir to be sprayed onto a top of the bio-reducer, to wash over the media. Further bio-reducers can be arranged downstream of the first bio-reducer.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system substantially reduces wastewater treatment time and increases treatment capacity. The system includes at least one completely covered aerobic reactor cell and a completely covered quiescent anaerobic reactor cell. The system can also include a polishing reactor for further treating wastewater after treatment by the anaerobic reactor cell. The covered aerobic reactor cell preferably includes a pair of subcells in which a first cell includes continuous mixing and aeration of the wastewater and the second cell includes only intermittent mixing and aeration of the treated wastewater. The system optionally includes a completely covered anoxic reactor cell for treating wastewater prior to treatment by the completely covered aerobic reactor cell. The anoxic reactor cell receives partially treated wastewater recirculated from the polishing reactor. Growth media can be used in the reactor cells to enhance biological activity.

Abstract: A method serves to treat water, in particular condensate and/or seepage water from a biological degradation process. To simplify and improve such a method, the water is alternately put into aerobic and anaerobic states.

Abstract: Process for removing nitrogenous compounds, in particular nitrates, and for remineralizing water with a low mineral content, characterized in that the removal of the nitrogenous compounds and at least partial remineralization of the untreated water are carried out simultaneously by biological treatment, in the same reactor. The denitrified and remineralized water is then subjected to coagulation, flocculation and clarification treatments.