And Returning To Or Withdrawing From Diverse Treating Zones Patents (Class 210/624)
  • Patent number: 11578411
    Abstract: This invention presents a novel corrosion inhibitor. In the preferred embodiment, the inventive corrosion inhibitor comprises extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). In one embodiment, the invention presents a novel EPS corrosion inhibitor using waste activated sludge (WAS). In this embodiment, WAS is heated to release EPS from the microbial mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: University of Louisiana at Lafayette
    Inventors: Rafael Hernandez, Liew Go
  • Patent number: 11354060
    Abstract: A single application may rely on data storage provided by a plurality of virtual data storage volumes mounted on one or more compute nodes. A crash-consistent snapshot of the state of the application may be generated. Each of the virtual data storage volumes may be quiesced prior to the capture of a plurality of volume-level snapshots, after which each volume is unquiesced. The crash-consistent snapshot may be used to restore the application to the state at the time the snapshot was captured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Portworx, Inc.
    Inventors: Vinod Jayaraman, Ganesh Sangle
  • Patent number: 11001518
    Abstract: A method of treating oil and gas produced water may include: receiving produced water from one or more wells; separating an aqueous portion of the produced water from oil and solids included in the produced water in order to provide recovered water; performing anaerobic bio-digestion of organic matter included in the produced water using a biomass mixture of anaerobic bacteria obtained from a plurality of wells; aerating the recovered water in order to promote metal precipitation; and performing aerobic bio-digestion of organic matter present in the recovered water. Some embodiments may also include one or more of anoxic equalization, filtration, pasteurization, reverse osmosis, and biocide treatment of the recovered water. The recovered water may be used for oil and gas well fracking and/or land and stream application. Other methods of treating oil and gas produced water are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Rio Resources LLC
    Inventors: Dale R. Yates, Brenna D. Villines, Kenneth M. Yates
  • Patent number: 9988290
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous operation of an aerobic metabolic digester in a multi station aerobic wastewater treatment system is disclosed that eliminates the the volume of residuals solids that must be finally disposed of off site and improves the overall efficiency of the treatment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Inventor: William D McGowan, III
  • Patent number: 9957178
    Abstract: The present invention provides Biological Double efficiency Product (BDP) sewage denitrogenation treatment systems and methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: BDP Enviro Tech Limited
    Inventor: Jianguo Li
  • Patent number: 9416010
    Abstract: The Present teachings provide, in part, methods of separating two-dimensional nanomaterials by atomic layer thickness. In certain embodiments, the present teachings provide methods of generating graphene nanomaterials having a controlled number of atomic layer(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Alexander A. Green, Mark C. Hersam
  • Publication number: 20150027947
    Abstract: The object is to provide an activated sludge treatment method whereby production of excess sludge is brought substantially to zero; and a method for upgrading existing waste water treatment equipment, employing this method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: JAPAN ALSI CO.,LTD.
    Inventor: Kiyoharu Fujino
  • Patent number: 8852444
    Abstract: The present teachings provide, in part, methods of separating two-dimensional nanomaterials by atomic layer thickness. In certain embodiments, the present teachings provide methods of generating graphene nanomaterials having a controlled number of atomic layer(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Alexander A. Green, Mark C. Hersam
  • Patent number: 8821729
    Abstract: The invention relates to a carrier element for an aerobic biological water treatment system. The carrier element has a first end and a second end at a distance from each other, the maximum diameter of the first end being larger than the maximum diameter of the second end. It also has biofilm growing surface structures that extend from the first end to the second end and from inner part of the element towards periphery of the element and at least two support structures that encircle the growing surface structures at the periphery of the element and connect the growing surface structures to each other. The support structures define the outer boundary surface of the carrier element, whereby the support structures are spaced from each other so that apertures allowing access to the biofilm growing surface structures are formed between the support structures. The invention relates also to a water treatment system employing the carrier elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Flootech Oy
    Inventors: Petri Pajuniemi, Mikko Siivonen
  • 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.
  • Patent number: 8449773
    Abstract: A process for converting organic waste materials into usable products and products thereof is disclosed. According to the process, organic waste materials are contacted with an oxidant to form a product and then an amount of the oxidant is removed from the product to form a reactor-ready feedstock. The oxidant is removed by various means, including washing, photolysis, catalytic means, oxidation of the oxidant, reduction of the oxidant, and heat. The reactor-ready feedstock may then be introduced into a reactor, such as a digester or incubator, and the reactor-ready feedstock is converted by microorganisms into biofuel or other products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Brigham Young University
    Inventors: Jaron C. Hansen, Lee D. Hansen
  • Patent number: 8435409
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of treating highly contaminated wastewater using waste activated sludge as an adsorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Mitchell, Daniel J. Wagner, Kojo Arthur-Mensah
  • Publication number: 20130092628
    Abstract: The wastewater treatment method includes, when raw water is subjected to an activated sludge treatment, performing a first sludge returning step: a step of returning sludge, which was previously aerated and stirred in a first excess sludge tank or sludge retention tank equipped with an aerator and a stirrer, to an treatment tank, a sequencing batch reactor or an anaerobic tank; an optional step of returning sludge, which was previously aerated and stirred in a second excess sludge tank or thickened sludge retention tank equipped with an aerator and a stirrer, to a treatment tank, a sequencing batch reactor or an anaerobic tank; and maintaining genus Bacillus bacteria in the treatment tank, the sequencing batch reactor or the anaerobic tank, to which the sludge has been returned, at 2.0×105 to 22.5×105 cfu/mL.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventor: Ryozo Irie
  • Patent number: 8133394
    Abstract: Wastewater can be purified in a device, which includes a cup-shaped vessel, having a wastewater inlet tube for the water at a certain level and an outlet tube at a lower level than the inlet tube, and a horizontal distribution disc, which vertically divides the vessel, has at least one opening and is provided with a substantially vertical distribution tube for receiving the water from the inlet tube. Water above the distribution disc is pumped through a filter head with a filter. Filtered water is let out through the outlet tube, whereas unfiltered water is transferred back to the distribution tube. Flocculation agent is added to the unfiltered water before reaching the distribution tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: B G Consulting HB
    Inventor: Bert Gustafsson
  • Patent number: 8114293
    Abstract: A liquid treatment plant has sets of membrane trains and processing trains with flow between them through channels. Steps of withdrawing permeate and sludge from the trains are described. Cyclic aeration is provided to the membrane trains. Methods of foam control, backwashing and chemical cleaning are described. Single membrane trains or process trains may be isolated for various functions. An isolated membrane train may be used to thicken sludge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Zenon Technology Partnership
    Inventors: Deonarine Phagoo, Douglas Joseph Thompson, Jeffrey Peter Penny, Jake Goldstein, Jason A. Diamond
  • Patent number: 8101082
    Abstract: A method for treating waste-activated sludge comprises adding (1) a pozzolanic material to waste-activated sludge to form a mixture. The mixture is homogenized and aerated (2). The pozzolanic material reacts with the waste-activated sludge. The mixture is allowed to settle (3). A portion of the mixture is recirculated (4) from a downstream location to an upstream location. The recycled mixture includes pozzolanic material. Some embodiments provide advantages over existing wastewater treatment methods which may include: reduction or elimination of unpleasant odours, reduction of overall costs, conversion of waste into useful products, and/or reduction or elimination of discharged bacteria or other undesirable materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Pierway Envromental Inc.
    Inventor: Gerd Peter Waschke
  • Patent number: 7993522
    Abstract: Wastewaters are treated by an activated sludge process that includes combining wastewater with bacteria-laden sludge in an activated sludge tank to form a mixed liquor, separating the mixed liquor into a clear effluent and activated sludge stream, pretreating at least a portion of the activated sludge stream in a conditioning tank, transferring at least a portion of the activated sludge stream in the conditioning tank to an interchange bioreactor operating in batch or continuous flow mode, processing the activated sludge stream within the interchange bioreactor by selecting desired growth conditions to cultivate at least one type of bacteria in the activated sludge stream, and returning at least a portion of the activated sludge stream in the bioreactor to the activated sludge tank. The process may further include a sidestream reactor to remove phosphates from the activated sludge stream leaving the interchange bioreactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Betty-Ann Curtis, Thomas Kutcher, Marc E. Roehl
  • Publication number: 20110068056
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the biological treatment of an effluent to be treated and containing at least two forms of pollution, one of which is more easily biodegradable than the other, which comprises using a main biological treatment area in which the raw effluent is contacted with biological sludge adapted for consuming a first form of pollution that can be more easily degraded than a second form of pollution, wherein said method is characterised in that comprises collecting a fraction at least of the biological sludge which is isolated at a distance from the main biological treatment area in a so-called bioactivation area and under aeration and time conditions adapted for triggering in said fraction the development of new biological functions capable of consuming the second form of pollution, and further recycling at least a portion of said biological sludge fraction towards the main biological treatment area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Marc Caligaris, Chrystelle Ayache, Emmanuel Trouve
  • Patent number: 7879237
    Abstract: A biological treatment method and device for organic wastewater, whereby the amount of minute organisms which reduce the amount of excess sludge and held within an activated sludge tank can be stabilized so that the treatment can be stabilized, are provided. Substrates for growing dispersed bacteria and/or dispersed bacteria are supplied to a sludge treatment tank 51 which reduces the sludge by the minute organisms, so that the minute organisms grow stably and reduce the sludge. Specifically, a first and a second biological treatment step are conducted respectively in a first activated sludge tank 21 and a second biological treatment tank 31. The sludge included in effluent which flows from the biological steps is separated in a sedimentation tank 41. The generated sludge obtained is supplied to the sludge treatment tank 51.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Kurita Water Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeki Fujishima
  • Patent number: 7875179
    Abstract: The invention provides a side stream type membrane bioreactor process which does not cause an excessive fall in the MLSS concentration in a bioreactor, does not require any additional effluent treatment facility for discharging backwash effluent, and can further ensure the stability of the membrane filtration performance of a separation membrane. According to the invention, in a side stream type membrane bioreactor process, a backwash effluent containing foulants that are generated by backwashing a separation membrane is collected in a backwash effluent tank, and subjected to ozone treatment, and the resultant is returned to a bioreactor. By this ozone treatment, the foulants close to the membrane pore size of the separation membrane are made fine or are made into a state be easily taken into activated sludge flocs. Therefore, even when the treated effluent is returned to the bioreactor, the membrane filtration performance of the separation membrane is not deteriorated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Metawater Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigehiro Suzuki, Motoharu Noguchi, Koichiro Kando
  • Patent number: 7790032
    Abstract: Waste treatment systems and methods of using them to treat septage, domestic sludge or both are disclosed. Certain examples provided herein relate to waste treatment systems that include a plurality of stages, such as, for example, a plurality of ecosystems, configured to treat domestic sludge, septage or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Bioregen Systems LLC
    Inventor: Michael H. Ogden
  • Publication number: 20100191377
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system comprising: a first treatment zone (11) fluidly connected to one or more further treatment zones (12-14), a membrane module (16) comprising a filter membrane is positioned in or fluidly connected to the further treatment zone; and a gravity settling device (15) fluidly connected to the first treatment zone (11) to receive overflow therefrom. A method of treating wastewater comprising flowing wastewater through one or more treatment zones (11-14) to produce a fluid product which is passed through a filter membrane (16) to produce a concentrated mixed liquor and a filtrate; returning at least a portion of the concentrated mixed liquor to at least one of the treatment zones (11); when the flow of wastewater water exceeds a predetermined level, flowing a portion of the returned mixed liquor to a gravity settling device (15) and clarifying the mixed liquor within the gravity settling device (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: George W. Smith, Dennis J. Barnes
  • Patent number: 7713417
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Envirogen Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul M. Sutton
  • Patent number: 7699986
    Abstract: An activated sludge wastewater treatment method is provided. The disclosed method includes: receiving a stream of wastewater into a mixed liquor in an uncovered activated sludge basin; introducing high purity oxygen to the mixed liquor in the activated sludge basin to produce euoxic conditions (i.e. a dissolved oxygen level in the range of between about 5 mg to 15 mg) in the activated sludge basin; passing a portion of the mixed liquor in the activated sludge basin through a clarifier to separate activated sludge and produce an effluent stream and an activated sludge stream; and recycling a portion of the activated sludge stream to the activated sludge basin to produce a mixed liquor having a solids loading of between about 3000 mg and about 10000 mg of suspended solids per liter of mixed liquor and a solids retention time of between about 7 days and 40 days.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Novak, Malcolm Fabiyi, Amitabh Gupta
  • Patent number: 7662275
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method of providing water management and utilization during the process of dewatering and retorting of oil shale. More specifically, the process described relates to co-producing potable and non-potable water, for various uses, during the extraction of petroleum from shale oil deposits. Generally, the process allows the production of multiple streams of waters or varying salinity and pressures at least one of which is of high enough pressure for reinsertion into geological formations or reservoirs, and another which may supply a potable water source. In one embodiment, the high pressure required for reinserting the non-potable water into geological formation or reservoirs may be utilized for producing the potable water supply. In another embodiment, the non-potable water supply may also be used for entraining and sequestering undesired emissions, such as CO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Colorado School of Mines
    Inventor: John R. Dorgan
  • Patent number: 7651614
    Abstract: Systems and methods to treat wastewater are described herein. A wastewater treatment system may include a primary treatment system, a secondary treatment system, a disinfection treatment system, a solids treatment system, one or more fluid treatment systems, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: VRTX Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Kelsey, Qiwei Wang
  • Patent number: 7625490
    Abstract: A nitrification-denitrification process using magnetic seeding and magnetic separation to treat water is provided. The process includes biologically converting ammonia to nitrates with a biofilm disposed on magnetic seed. Suspended solids are removed by mixing flocculant and magnetic seeds with the water and magnetically removing floc formed floc from the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Inventor: Steven L. Cort
  • Patent number: 7491332
    Abstract: A method for the physical and biological treatment of an organic effluent, which is decomposed by microorganisms in a biological treatment zone, includes recovering a fraction of the biomass derived from the biological treatment, filling a compression reservoir with the biomass fraction, isolating the compression reservoir, and subjecting the filled compression reservoir to a very high pressure so to destroy or damage the microorganisms in the biomass fraction. Thereafter, the compression reservoir is returned to atmospheric pressure and the treated biomass fraction is reinjected into the biological treatment zone or into another biological treatment zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Carbofil France
    Inventor: Alain Christian Michel Guy Boulant
  • Patent number: 7481935
    Abstract: The present invention describes improved methods and systems for treating waste water and solid waste, which may include the addition of catholyte and anolyte. The methods and systems of the present invention may be used to treat waste water and solid waste from animal farms, such as for example, hog farms, dairy farms, and cattle and sheep ranches. The methods and systems of the present invention may also be used to treat waste water from other sources, such as human waste or farm runoff from irrigation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Inventor: Laurent Olivier
  • Patent number: 7452469
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for purifying sewage and wastewater, including a general automatic impurity treating apparatus; a equalization tank; a distribution tank; a microbe contact tank provided with a rotary activated bacillus contactor comprising a reticular rotator comprising a flat fan-shaped body composed of a synthetic fiber, a first solidification portion 28 formed of Saran latex, which is placed on the body, a spacer insert hole, formed between the body and the first solidification portion and bored such that the hole is integrated with the body and the first solidification portion, and a second solidification portion, formed of Saran latex, which is provided in the spacer insert hole; a measuring tank; a bioreaction tank; a settling tank; a sludge thickener; an aerated liquid circulation pump connected to the bioreaction tank and circulating part of the sewage and wastewater discharged into the settling tank to the distribution tank and the measuring tank; and a sludge returning pump connecte
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Inventor: Kyung Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 7318896
    Abstract: A method utilizing inorganic nutrient salts, which are inexpensive and easily usable, for waste water whose aerobic and/or anaerobic biological treatment cannot be established unless inorganic nutrient salts are added, is provided. A method and apparatus are provided for utilizing recovered magnesium ammonium phosphate, characterized by adding the recovered magnesium ammonium phosphate, which has been recovered from a treatment process for organic waste and/or organic waste water treatment, to a biological treatment step comprising an anaerobic treatment step and/or an aerobic treatment step to utilize the recovered magnesium ammonium phosphate as an inorganic nutrient source. Preferably, the recovered magnesium ammonium phosphate is utilized as particles, with its particle size being 0.5 mm or less, and/or the pH of a liquid, to which magnesium ammonium phosphate is added, being 10 or lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuaki Shimamura, Toshihiro Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7309435
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Inventor: Alan F. Rozich
  • Publication number: 20070209998
    Abstract: A method for managing multivalent metal ion concentrations in low-yield wastewater treatment processes. The method includes combining wastewater containing BOD with bacteria-laden sludge in a mainstream reactor to form a mixed liquor, separating the mixed liquor into a clear effluent and an activated sludge stream, returning a first portion of the activated sludge stream to the mainstream reactor, processing a second portion of the activated sludge stream in a sidestream bioreactor, returning at least a portion of the activated sludge stream in the sidestream bioreactor to the mainstream reactor, and adding multivalent metal ions to at least one of the wastewater, the mixed liquor, the activated sludge stream and combinations thereof to reduce the generation of waste activated sludge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Applicant: SIEMENS WATER TECHNOLOGIES CORP.
    Inventor: Mohammad M. Abu-Orf
  • Patent number: 7153431
    Abstract: A method and system for treating water or wastewater to remove both soluble BOD and suspended solids. The method entails a ballasted flocculation process where a flocculant and insoluble granular material is added to the water or wastewater to be treated causing solids in the water or wastewater to aggregate around the granular material to form ballasted floc particles. In a settling zone, ballasted floc particles form settled sludge and the settled sludge is separated from clarified effluent. At some point in the process, activated sludge, in the form of return activated sludge or mixed liquor, is mixed with the water or wastewater being subjected to the ballasted flocculation process. The addition of activated sludge enables the process to remove soluble BOD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: I. Kruger Inc.
    Inventor: James Scott Daugherty
  • Patent number: 7001520
    Abstract: A method of treating of municipal sludge, paper-pulp sludge, animal and plant waste, and the like, whereby the treatment thereof via electroporation causes the breakdown of waste activated sludge, which is then recycled back to a bioreactor, or to one or more additional bioreactors such as aerobic, facultative, anoxic, or strictly anaerobic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Opencel LLC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Held, Satya P. Chauhan
  • Patent number: 6818131
    Abstract: A system for the treatment of CMP wastewater, including wastewater from a copper CMP process. The wastewater treatment system includes a coagulant supply tank from which an FSC polymer coagulant is directed into a reaction tank that separately receives the untreated wastewater. The coagulant may be mixed with the untreated wastewater in selected ratios to provide a desired dosing quantity of the coagulant in the reaction tank. As the wastewater and the FSC polymer coagulant are mixed in the reaction tank, the coagulant flocs the slurry chemicals in the wastewater and removes the chemicals from solution in the wastewater as a precipitate before the wastewater is directed to a clarifier. The clarifier separates the flocked precipitate from the wastewater, and the flocked particles settle on the bottom of the clarifier to form a sludge. The sludge is re-distributed back into the clarifier to coagulate inert particles in the wastewater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Max Sha, Howard Ting, Anderson Chen, Lung Chi Yang
  • Patent number: 6805806
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Hydrotreat, Inc.
    Inventor: Johnny Arnaud
  • Patent number: 6793823
    Abstract: In a wastewater treatment process involving activated sludge, the invention provides a method for improving suspended solids removal without the need for chemical coagulants. Improved solids removal is obtained through the reintroduction of return activated sludge as a natural flocculent prior to tertiary filtration. In some applications algal solids can be pre-filtered from equalization or detention ponds and lagoons by return activated sludge addition followed by mixing and high solids filtration. The inventions result in improved solids removal and longer run times for the treatment processes with reduced need for chemical coagulants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Aqua-Aerobics Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald R. Hubenthal, Stephen A. Schupbach
  • Patent number: 6723244
    Abstract: A new process configuration, which is based on nitrifier bioaugmentation, achieves essentially complete nitrification at low solids retention times (SRTs) on a year round basis for plants that have a minimum of two activated sludge treatment trains. The process utilizes a membrane bioreactor as a second stage activated sludge system for one of the existing activated sludge systems, which is operated under non-nitrifying conditions. The membrane bioreactor is used to achieve essentially complete nitrification of ammonia derived from influent wastewater and an anaerobic digester recycle stream. The mixed liquor of the membrane bioreactor is comprised of an enriched culture of nitrifying bacteria. To allow the other treatment train(s) to nitrify, the waste sludge from the membrane bioreactor is directed to “donated” to the other “receiver” train(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: CH2M Hill, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Allan Constantine
  • Patent number: 6709594
    Abstract: A method of treating of municipal sludge, paper-pulp sludge, animal and plant waste, and the like, whereby the treatment thereof via electroporation causes the breakdown of waste activated sludge, which is then recycled back to a bioreactor, or to one or more additional bioreactors such as aerobic, facultative, anoxic, or strictly anaerobic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: DH20, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Held, Satya P. Chauhan
  • Publication number: 20040026317
    Abstract: In a wastewater treatment process involving activated sludge, the invention provides a method for improving suspended solids removal without the need for chemical coagulants. Improved solids removal is obtained through the reintroduction of return activated sludge as a natural flocculent prior to tertiary filtration. In some applications algal solids can be pre-filtered from equalization or detention ponds and lagoons by return activated sludge addition followed by mixing and high solids filtration. The inventions result in improved solids removal and longer run times for the treatment processes with reduced need for chemical coagulants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Ronald R. Hubenthal, Stephen A. Schupbach
  • Patent number: 6630070
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment equipment is provided with a reaction tank and a separate reaction unit installed in the reaction tank. In the separate reaction unit, a reaction different from a reaction in the reaction tank is carried out with returned sludge and a acid or alkali. Reactants are generated from the returned sludge in the separate reaction unit and then introduced from a bottom portion of the separate reaction unit into the reaction tank so as to be used for wastewater treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Yamasaki, Norio Sawai, Kazumi Chujou
  • Publication number: 20030183572
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for the treatment of effluent with activated sludge in suspension, for the removal of nitrogen and phosphorus and for simultaneous sludge stabilisation. An activated chamber (5, 6) is provided with a fermentation zone (5), a denitrification zone (6) and a nitrification zone (7), whereby the fermentation zone (5) and the denitrification zone (6) in the activated chamber (5, 6), are separated by scum boards (3) and overflow barriers (4) in the direction of flow, giving rise to ascending flow and descending flow chambers in the anaerobic fermentation zone (5) and the denitrification zone (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Ladislav Penzes, Juraj Csefalvay
  • Patent number: 6613229
    Abstract: A waste treatment method and apparatus including a denitrification chamber for denitrifying waste, an aeration basin for aerating the waste, and a clarifying device in which sludge particles separate out of the waste, leaving discharge and reusable sludge. Sludge from the clarifying device is sent back to the denitrification chamber or aeration basin or both. Sludge on the aeration basin floor is sent back to the denitrification chamber. Preferably, the method and apparatus facilitate both activated sludge and fixed film processes. Most preferably, the clarifying device comprises a constant flow backwash filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Wastewater Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald D. Ricketts
  • Patent number: 6602417
    Abstract: A process is described for the biological treatment of waste water containing a specific component such as ammonia, wherein the waste water together with surplus sludge from an activated sludge reactor is treated in a bioaugmentation reactor, applying a hydraulic retention time in the continuously or discontinuously operated reactor which is shorter than the sludge retention time by retaining part of the sludge in the reactor and continuing the use of the separated part in the reactor. The non-retained part of the sludge, together with the effluent of the bioaugmentation reactor, is added to the activated sludge reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: DHV Water B.V.
    Inventor: Arnold Gerrit Zilverentant
  • Patent number: 6585895
    Abstract: There is provided a process for treating industrial wastewater that substantially eliminates the generation of excess solids in the system requiring mechanical removal. The wastewater undergoes an equalization step wherein hydraulic flow is smoothed and the pH of the wastewater is adjusted to near neutral pH conditions. The equalized wastewater is then transferred to aeration tanks where the organic process wastes are absorbed, metabolized, or otherwise biodegraded by the microorganisms in the mixed liquor in the aeration tanks. After the aeration step, the wastewater is separated by gravity in a clarifying step to separate the wastewater into a liquid phase and a semi-solid phase. The clarified liquid phase is withdrawn from the clarifier and discharged, while the semi-solid phase is transferred either directly back to the aeration/biological treatment step, as recycle-activated sludge, or into a bioreactor as waste-activated sludge. In the bioreactor the semi-solid phase is subjected to active aeration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Rhodia Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen A. Smith, Howard E. C. Brown
  • Patent number: 6572771
    Abstract: An apparatus for treatment of fluorine waste water has an introduction tank, a main treatment tank, a calcium hydroxide tank, a polychlorinated aluminum tank, a macromolecular flocculant tank, a settling tank, and a concentration tank. Fluorine waste water is introduced through the introduction tank into a lower part of the main treatment tank through a lower inlet pipe. Also, return sludge from the concentration tank and silicon sludge from a silicon waste water treatment system are introduced into an upper part of the main treatment tank. Thus, silicon recovered from silicon waste water is recycled for treatment of fluorine waste water. Also, unreacted chemicals, which have been loaded in the calcium hydroxide tank, polychlorinated aluminum tank, macromolecular flocculant tank, are recycled. The main treatment tank has no stirrer, and thus conserves electrical energy, but can neutralize the waste water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Yamasaki, Kazumi Chujo, Seiji Okamoto, Yukihiro Tao
  • Patent number: 6569338
    Abstract: A vessel (10) for placement on a land site for sanitary treatment of wastewater, in which an inlet communicates wastewater and suspended solids through a mixing chamber (30) to an aeration zone (34) that receives air from nozzles (37) for biological digestion of the suspended solids and conversion to activated sludge. The activated sludge communicates through an airlift (70) to the mixing chamber (30) for facilitating treatment. The air from the nozzles (37) creates an upflow of wastewater and activated sludge to secondary clarifiers (42) having sludge receiving plates (48) on which the sludge settles, accumulates, and falls from resulting in treated water in the secondary clarifier (42). The treated water discharges in a trough (62) from the vessel (12, 92). A method of sanitary treating of wastewater is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Inventor: Boris Ozyboyd
  • Patent number: 6555002
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment process that provides improved reduction of total solids through endogenous respiration while reducing biochemical oxygen demand and utilizing biological nutrient reduction. The wastewater treatment process uses an efficient aeration delivery system to drastically reduce the time needed to oxidize organic matter, and re-circulates, shreds and homogenizes the organic matter and microorganisms and oxygenates the entire mass many more times than traditional systems resulting in a greater biological solids digestion rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Premier Wastwater International, LLC
    Inventors: Paul G. Garcia, Leonard Davidson, H. Matthew Russell, Martin Perry Johnson, Paul F. Garcia
  • Patent number: 6540919
    Abstract: A system that allows the flexibility of primary and secondary treatment of municipal sludge, paper-pulp sludge, animal and plant waste, whereby the treatment thereof via electroporation may be used either as the primary dewatering treatment, secondary dewatering treatment, direct WAS-treatment, and combinations with other conventional dewatering techniques, in order to provide the municipal treatment plant, or the paper-pulp treatment plant, with the most cost-effective and efficient system as possible. The electroporated-treated sludge releases hitherto unreleased biosolids exiting from the PEF-electroporation system, which are returned to aeration tanks. The electroporation process causes the release of intracellular dissolved/organic matter, which is used as “food” for the bacteria of the aeration tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: DH20 L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jeffry Held, Satya P. Chauhan