And Additional Treating Agent Other Than Mere Mechanical Manipulation (e.g., Chemical, Sorption, Etc.) Patents (Class 210/631)
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Patent number: 8784659Abstract: A process has been found which increases the efficiency and effectiveness of introducing antimicrobial compounds into complex biofilm matrices through the use of liposome carriers, thereby removing the biofouling in industrial water bearing systems, including piping, heat exchanges, condensers, filtration systems and fluid storage tanks. According to one embodiment of the invention, antimicrobial compound containing liposomes are added to water systems prone to biofouling and biofilm formation. The liposomes, being similar in composition to microbial membranes or cells, are readily incorporated into the existing biofilm. Once the antimicrobial compound containing liposomes become entrained with the biofilm matrix, the decomposition or programmed disintegration of the liposome proceeds. Thereafter, the biocidal aqueous core is released to react directly with the biofilm encased microorganisms.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2010Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Wilson Kurt Whitekettle, Gloria Jean Tafel, Qing Zhao, Linna Wang, Dorothy Reynolds, Paul Frail, Juan Jiang, David M. Polizzotti
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Patent number: 8778185Abstract: Disclosed is a method of conditioning mixed liquor in membrane bioreactor (MBR) systems comprising adding an effective amount of a treatment composition comprising a water soluble cationic quaternary ammonium starch or a water soluble quaternary ammonium starch/gum blend to the mixed liquor. Also disclosed is a method of improving flux in an MBR system comprising adding the treatment composition to the mixed liquor of the MBR.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2010Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Sijing Wang, Stephen R. Vasconcellos
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Patent number: 8758617Abstract: The invention discloses a wastewater processing method of hydrolysis-acidification enhanced by addition of zero-valent iron (ZVI), including the following steps: 3˜6 ZVI-filling layers are settled in the middle of an anaerobic hydrolysis-acidification reactor. Excess sludge taken from sewage treatment plant using as seed sludge is added into this anaerobic hydrolysis-acidification reactor for startup and domestication. In the present invention, ZVI are added into this anaerobic hydrolysis-acidification reactor to accelerate organic matters degradation and produce more acetic acids, accompanied with higher COD removal obtained. ZVI can be protected from rust in this anaerobic biological environment due to the air isolation. Also, ZVI can enhance anaerobic hydrolysis of wastewater through reducing refractory pollutants involved in wastewaters.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2011Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Dalian University of TechnologyInventors: Xie Quan, Yaobin Zhang, Yiwen Liu, Huimin Zhao, Shuo Chen, Yang Yang Li
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Publication number: 20140166575Abstract: A method for cleaning an oil spill in a marine environment includes forming a particle-stabilized emulsion containing seawater, carbon black and at least one oil spill component and allowing the at least one oil spill component to degrade, thereby removing said component from the marine environment. Carbon black can be added to an oil-seawater mixture to form a stabilized emulsion containing at least one oil spill component and the oil spill component allowed to degrade, thereby removing the at least one oil spill component from the oil spill. Also disclosed is an emulsion that includes one or more oil spill components, seawater and carbon black particles.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2012Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicants: THE ADMINISTRATORS OF THE TULANE EDUCATIONAL FUND, CABOT CORPORATIONInventors: Arijit Bose, Vijay T. John, Ani Tzankova Nikova
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Patent number: 8753511Abstract: Apparatus for integrated biological wastewater treatment and clarification including a tank having a wastewater inlet for receiving wastewater to be treated and having a treated, clarified wastewater outlet for providing treated, clarified wastewater for use, the tank having an upper turbulence region, a lower solids settling region below the upper turbulence region and a sludge collection region below the lower solids settling region, a multiplicity of biomass carriers disposed in the upper turbulence region, a gas diffuser assembly arranged generally between the upper turbulence region and the lower solids settling region for providing gas bubbles which move upwardly through the wastewater and the biomass carriers in the upper turbulence region, providing turbulence and oxygen and a sludge removal conduit communicating with the sludge collection region for removal of sludge therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2009Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: AQ-WISE—Wise Water Technologies Ltd.Inventors: Nir Assulin, Tamar Arbel
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Publication number: 20140151296Abstract: Systems and methods for removing organic contaminants from water may be used, for example, to treat produced water from a steam assisted heavy oil recovery operation. The treated produced water may be re-used to create steam. Alternatively, the produced water may be a blowdown stream treated to facilitate further treatment in a thermal crystallizer. The treatments may include pH adjustment or separating de-solubilized organics or both. Other treatments may include one or more of oxidation, sorption and biological treatments. The treatments may be used alone or in various combinations. One exemplary combination includes reducing the pH of produced water, separating de-solubilized organics from the produced water, and oxidizing the produced water or contacting the produced water with activated carbon.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Brian Christopher MOORE, Hope MATIS, William Leonard KOSTEDT, IV, David M. POLIZZOTTI, Matthew Alan PETERSEN, Jeffrey Lynn SCHWORM, Anthony Yu-Chung KU
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Patent number: 8741143Abstract: A process for treating a water stream containing dissolved organic carbon and dissolved salts comprises subjecting the water stream to reverse osmosis after a pre-treatment step to reduce the amount of dissolved organic carbon directed in water to the reverse osmosis treatment step. The preferred pre-treatment step is a membrane treatment step such as nanofiltration. The process enables treatment of complex effluents including mixtures of domestic and industrial effluents. Treated water may be recycled and a treatment plant (100) employing the process forms another aspect of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2008Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Central Gippsland Region Water CorporationInventors: David Evans, Andrew Hodgkinson
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Patent number: 8734650Abstract: A system and method for removing gas from a gas producing subterranean formation and removing contaminants from the produced water is provided. The method includes providing a mixture of gas and water gathered from a gas producing well. Thereafter the method entails separating the gas from the mixture to produce a gas product and the produced water which includes organics, suspended solids and dissolved solids including silica. Thereafter, suspended solids are removed from the produced water. After removing some of the suspended solids, the produced water is directed to a micro porous polymer extraction (MPPE) unit. In the MPPE unit aromatic organic compounds are removed from the produced water. Thereafter the produced water is treated in a membrane bioreactor to remove additional organics. Thereafter the produced water is directed to at least one RO unit that produces a high dissolved solids containing reject stream and a low dissolved solids permeate stream.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2010Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies North America, Inc.Inventor: Robert Bradley
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Patent number: 8734648Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the treatment of caustic wastewater. Specifically, systems and methods are provided for combining refinery spent caustic and ethylene spent caustic solutions and treating the combined spent caustic mixture using a wet air oxidation process.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2008Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventors: Bryan J. Kumfer, Chad L. Felch, Bruce L. Brandenburg, Richard W. Lehmann
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Publication number: 20140138311Abstract: Disclosed herein are an apparatus and method for reducing nitrate using iron-oxidizing microorganisms, which can easily reduce nitrate using iron-oxidizing microorganisms. The apparatus includes: a nitrate-reducing reactor which is operated under anaerobic conditions and provides a space for reduction of nitrate; and an iron-oxidizing microorganism provided in the nitrate-reducing reactor, wherein the iron-oxidizing microorganism releases divalent iron (Fe2+), the released Fe2+ is converted to Fe3+ by microbial oxidation under anaerobic conditions while releasing an electron, and the released electron is used in the reduction of nitrate into nitrogen gas by the iron-oxidizing microorganism.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2013Publication date: May 22, 2014Inventors: Yong Su CHOI, Jae Shik CHUNG, Hyokwan BAE, Hwa Yeon JEON, Seockheon LEE
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Publication number: 20140131272Abstract: Feed water is processed in an anaerobic digester. A solid-liquid separation device, for example a sludge screw thickener, treats a stream drawn from the digester in a recirculation loop. The solids portion is returned to the digester to increase the solids retention time and the TSS concentration in the digester. A liquid portion with less than 5% of the solids in the stream is removed and optionally treated further. The flow rate to the solid-liquid separation device is preferably greater than the influent flow rate. The solid-liquid separation device may receive digestate at a TSS concentration of 4% or more and return a solids portion having a TSS concentration of over 10%. The feed water is preferably one or more industrial waste streams having a COD concentration of 20,000 to 50,000 mg/L and a TSS concentration from 1-5%. The organic loading rate may be 10-12 kg/COD/m3/day.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: ANAERGIA INC.Inventor: Juan Carlos JOSSE
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Patent number: 8721889Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating wastewater in which the majority of solids and biological oxygen demand compounds are separated from the wastewater feed using a primary separation process, to produce a solids phase and a water phase. The solids phase is irradiated to reduce the level of pathogens such that it is safe to use as a soil substitute and/or additive so that the solids can thus be disposed of in an environmentally-friendly manner. In additional embodiments, the solids that have been disinfected by radiation are mixed with a suitable inert filler material to produce a soil substitute, fertilizer, compost, or other soil additive. The liquid phase is treated in a substantially smaller system than would be required for treating the full-strength wastewater that can include a suspended media biological regeneration reactor system.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2013Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignees: Saudi Arabian Oil Company, Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventors: William G. Conner, Osama I. Fageeha, Thomas E. Schultz
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Patent number: 8715504Abstract: Alkaline solutions resulting from extracting sulfide from hydrocarbon fluids can be treated in a combination of one or more electrodialysis cells and a bioreactor. The electrodialysis cell (2) includes an anode (4), a cathode (5), an electric power supply (7) and a first (12) and a second (11) compartment separated from each other by an anion exchange membrane (9). The alkaline solution is fed into the first compartment at the cathode side and the diluate (sulfide-depleted stream) leaving the first compartment has a lowered sulfide content and can be reused as the alkaline extractant solution. The concentrate (sulfide-enriched stream) leaving the second compartment is treated in the bioreactor (3) for removing sulfide and is then returned.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2008Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Paques I.P. B.V.Inventors: René Alexander Rozendal, Sjoerd Hubertus Josef Vellinga, Erik van Zessen
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Publication number: 20140116939Abstract: A method for wastewater treatment which comprises (a) separating and/or collecting urine from the wastewater for pretreatment, (b) removing phosphorus from urine using seawater, (c) optionally oxidizing nitrogen from urine, and (d) discharging the phosphorus-removed and/or nitrogen-oxidized urine to a sewer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2012Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYInventors: Guanghao Chen, Hamish Robert Mackey, Feng Jiang, Ho Kwong Chui
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Patent number: 8702986Abstract: A method for sulfurous acid leaching of heavy metals from soils into a contaminated water fraction for subsequent precipitation with alkaline and nutrient reagents for filtration removal to provide a metal free soil and reclaimed water suitable for raising crops and open stream discharge.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2011Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Earth Renaissance Technologies, LLCInventor: Marcus G. Theodore
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Publication number: 20140102157Abstract: A method for efficiently reducing water content of an object to be treated that contains water without requiring a high-temperature environment such as one exceeding the boiling point of water, and a method for efficiently extracting an oil-soluble substance from an object to be treated that contains water and the oil-soluble substance. A method for reducing water content of an object to be treated and/or extracting an oil-soluble substance in the object to be treated into oil is performed by mixing the object to be treated containing water or water and the oil-soluble substance with an oil at a temperature that is lower than the boiling point of water, at which temperature the oil is a liquid.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2012Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicants: KIRISHIMA HIGHLAND BEER CO., LTD.Inventor: Masahiro Yamamoto
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Patent number: 8696908Abstract: Various embodiments described herein provide methods and apparatus for releasing treated wastewater into the environment by combining the treated wastewater with a concentrated salty water before discharging the combined water into the environment. The treated wastewater and concentrated salty water may be combined in a ratio that will be less toxic to at least some resident marine life than the treated wastewater alone.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2010Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Poseidon Resources IP LLCInventor: Peter MacLaggan
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Publication number: 20140083942Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems and methods for treating produced water and other contaminated water that can be customized or adapted to particular characteristics of the water and/or its contaminants or other contents while minimizing costs related to treating the water. In an embodiment, a method of treating produced water comprises degrading solid particles in the produced water using beneficial bacteria; filtering solid particles from the produced water; reducing pathogenic bacteria in the produced water by introducing ozone into the produced water; reducing contaminants in the produced water by passing the produced water through at least one filter; reducing salts in the produced water using a reverse osmosis system; and providing treated produced water.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2013Publication date: March 27, 2014Inventor: Michael James Jungbauer
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Patent number: 8679339Abstract: This invention relates to a refuse landfill leachate wastewater treatment system comprising a collection well, an adjustment tank, a filter, a comprehensive treatment system having a multi-stage anoxic/aerobic pool and a membrane biological reactor.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2010Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Inventors: Zhiping Kuang, Bin Lu, Wei Xiong
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Publication number: 20140076804Abstract: A method precipitating struvite in wastewater uses a magnesium sacrificial anode as the only source of magnesium. A high-purity magnesium alloy cast anode was found to be very effective in recovery of high-quality struvite from water solutions and from supernatant of fermented waste activated sludge (WAS) from a high-purity oxygen wastewater treatment plant. Struvite purity was strongly dependent on the pH and the electric current density. Optimum pH of the solution was in the broad range between 7.5 and 9.3, with struvite purities exceeding 90%. The precipitated struvite accumulated in bulk liquid with significant portions attached to the anode surface from which regular detachment occurred.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Inventors: Damian J. Kruk, Jan A. Oleszkiewicz
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Publication number: 20140061125Abstract: The invention discloses a wastewater processing method of hydrolysis-acidification enhanced by addition of zero-valent iron (ZVI), including the following steps: 3˜6 ZVI-filling layers are settled in the middle of an anaerobic hydrolysis-acidification reactor. Excess sludge taken from sewage treatment plant using as seed sludge is added into this anaerobic hydrolysis-acidification reactor for startup and domestication. In the present invention, ZVI are added into this anaerobic hydrolysis-acidification reactor to accelerate organic matters degradation and produce more acetic acids, accompanied with higher COD removal obtained. ZVI can be protected from rust in this anaerobic biological environment due to the air isolation. Also, ZVI can enhance anaerobic hydrolysis of wastewater through reducing refractory pollutants involved in wastewaters.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2011Publication date: March 6, 2014Inventors: Xie Quan, Yaobin Zhang, Yiwen Liu, Huimin Zhao, Shuo Chen, Yang Li
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Patent number: 8663473Abstract: A method enhancing biological digestion of wastewater sludge is provided. The method uses chlorine dioxide to accelerate and improve the efficiency of aerobic or anaerobic digestion.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2012Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: BCR Environmental CorporationInventor: Frederick P. Mussari
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Publication number: 20140030797Abstract: Accelerated dechlorination of soil and water contaminated with chlorinated solvents in situ is achieved by delivering ferric ammonium citrate into the soils and/or water. The induction of ferric ammonium citrate into sulfate-rich reducing conditions initiates a combined abiotic and biotic mechanism for the dechlorination of subsurface contaminants. Initial and rapid removal of chlorinated solvents is achieved by way of reductive transformation, a mechanism utilizing the creation of an iron-bound soil mineral (pyrite) followed by stimulating conditions for enhanced biological natural attenuation.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2012Publication date: January 30, 2014Inventor: Michael Scalzi
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Publication number: 20130341269Abstract: The invention relates to a method for desulphuration of the digestate and biogas in a digester (1) of urban and/or agricultural and/or industrial effluent, by biochemical and/or thermochemical processes, the digester consisting of an enclosure (2) which is closed at the top, in which anaerobic digestion of a mass of products to be treated making up the digestate (4) takes place, the digester comprising at least one loop (10) for external recirculation of the digestate; an oxidant is injected at least at one point (13, 14) of the loop (10), the injection conditions being as follows: the speed of circulation of the digestate in the loop (10) must be high enough to prevent the deposition of sulphur on the walls of the pipes; the contact time between the injected oxidant and the recirculated digestate recirculated from the injection point (13, 14) of the oxidant until the reinjection point (11 b) of the digestate must be long enough for all the oxidant to be dissolved in the liquid phase of the digestate; the amoType: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2011Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: DEGREMONTInventors: Caroline Bouchet, Roger Nicol, Claude Prevot
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Publication number: 20130341267Abstract: Disclosed is a process and apparatus that uses multiple stages or unit processes to treat wastewater, such as distillery spent wash which may be molasses spent wash (MSW). The stages include one or more of anaerobic digestion, chemical treatment, electrocoagulation, aerobic treatment, physical separation, and RO or adsorbent based treatment. A chemical treatment for the effluent from an anaerobic digester treating MSW is described. In an electrocoagulation step, a stable cathode is used to also provide electroflotation and hardness precipitation. Aerobic biological treatment and physical separation may be provided by a membrane bioreactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2010Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Vijaysai Prasad, Raiendra Prasad Kalakodimi, Alagarsamy Subbiah, Arjun Bhattacharyya, Narain Madhavan
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Publication number: 20130334133Abstract: The invention discloses systems and methods for producing a gas stream containing ozone and a “carrier” or sweep gas that has an oxygen concentration that is below a predetermined percentage for treatment of organic waste feed stocks in an anaerobic digester. In one embodiment, ozone and unreacted oxygen from an ozone generator are delivered to a pressure swing adsorption cycle, wherein the ozone is adsorbed onto a sieve and the excess oxygen is removed from the cycle. The sweep gas, which has a limited oxygen concentration, is then used to desorb the ozone from the pressure swing adsorption cycle and deliver the ozone to an anaerobic digester, where the ozone is used to treat the feed stock.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2012Publication date: December 19, 2013Applicant: AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.Inventors: Annemarie Ott Weist, Vipul P. Dholakia, Neil Hannay
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Publication number: 20130319940Abstract: In a wastewater treatment system, feed water is processed by anaerobic digestion, preferably in an anaerobic moving bed bioreactor (AnMBBR). Effluent from the AnMBBR passes through one or more solid-liquid separation units. A solids portions is treated by hydrolysis or suspended growth anaerobic digestion. A liquid portion of the hydrolysis or suspended growth anaerobic digestion effluent is returned to the AnMBBR or blended with effluent from the AnMBBR. The AnMBBR effluent may be treated with an aerobic moving bed bioreactor (MBBR) before the one or more solid-liquid separation steps. Membrane filtration may provide a first solid-liquid separation step. A thickened waste stream may be withdrawn from a recirculation loop flowing from the first solid-liquid separation unit to the MBBR. Optionally, a solids portion separated from the feed water upstream of the AnMBBR may also be treated by hydrolysis or suspended growth anaerobic digestion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2013Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: ANAERGIA INC.Inventors: Juan Carlos JOSSE, Michael David THEODOULOU, Sasha ROLLINGS-SCATTERGOOD
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Publication number: 20130299422Abstract: A treatment agent for salt-containing organic waste liquid, the treatment agent including: Scuticociliatida, wherein the treatment agent treats salt-containing organic waste liquid; and a treatment method for salt-containing organic waste liquid, the treatment method including: bringing Scuticociliatida and salt-containing organic waste liquid into contact with each other to treat the salt-containing organic waste liquid.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2013Publication date: November 14, 2013Inventor: Hiroyasu Doi
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Patent number: 8579544Abstract: A method for the combined chemical oxidation/assisted bioremediation of contaminated materials, comprising contacting a contaminated material with at least one metal chelate and at least one peroxide compound.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2010Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: SOLVAY (Societe Anonyme)Inventors: Noel Boulos, Alastair McNeillie, Jason Muessig
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Patent number: 8580115Abstract: A method of cleaning filtration modules for the treatment of raw water, or wastewater, or activated sludge, is provided by circulating particles in untreated water. The deposits located on the filter membrane outer surfaces are removed by the mechanical action of the particles, without significantly damaging the membrane. Initially, untreated water, wastewater, or activated sludge is chemically-mechanically pretreated. Then the untreated water or wastewater polluted with biologically active material is discharged into a membrane bioreactor system having a filtration unit including at least one filtration tank. At least one submerged filtration membrane module is present in the filtration tank. The untreated water or wastewater in this filtration tank is filled with particles and circulates inside the filtration tank. The particles are non-porous, biologically resistant polymer particles.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2009Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Microdyn-Nadir GmbHInventors: Stefan Krause, Reinhard Voigt, Peter Cornel
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Patent number: 8568591Abstract: A new approach is proposed that contemplates systems and methods to support an environmentally-friendly, “green” thermophilic anaerobic digestion system. The system includes a thermophilic anaerobic digester as well as various independent modular anaerobic units to generate bio-methane from certain organic energy sources, including but not limited to, among other things, green municipal waste, restaurant and organic waste and effluents from industries such as breweries, grocery stores, food processing plants, granaries, wineries, pulp and paper mills, ethanol and biodiesel plants, fat and animal rendering, agricultural field crops, organic sludge accumulation within lagoons and waterways, marine organic matter and animal manure.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2012Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Inventor: Robert Knoop
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Patent number: 8568590Abstract: A method for recovering phosphate from sewage treatment plants using multi-stage anaerobic digestion includes the treatment of organic acid digest with calcium hydroxide, calcium oxide, and similar compounds to raise pH to near neutral values and precipitate calcium phosphate compounds such as brushite and similar amorphous compounds. The method includes the formation of calcium phosphates on weak-acid ion exchange columns and membranes in contact with organic acid digest. The system includes removal of the calcium phosphate compounds formed by sedimentation, either static or against an upwelling flow, centrifugation, or filtration.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2010Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Inventor: Phillip Barak
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Publication number: 20130270181Abstract: Selenium in the form of a reduced species such as selenocyanate is oxidized to produce an oxidized selenium species such as selenate or selenite, and then a biological reduction process is used to remove selenium from the oxidized selenium species. In an example, a chemical oxidant is added to a wastewater containing selenocyanate to produce selenate and selenite. The partially treated wastewater is then fed to a reactor containing a fixed media supporting a biofilm with selenium reducing organisms. The selenium in the selenate and selenite is reduced to an insoluble form of selenium, such as elemental selenium, which precipitates from the wastewater.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: October 17, 2013Inventors: Timothy Michael PICKETT, Yanguo MA, Jill SONSTEGARD, James Scott KAIN, Dinh-Cuong VUONG, David Brian FRASER
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Patent number: 8557118Abstract: In one embodiment, a grey water treatment system includes an oxidation reactor for oxidizing grey water. The grey water treatment system also includes a biological reduction and precipitation system with microbes designed to remove one or more target components from the oxidized grey water.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2010Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: James Scott Kain, Dinh-Cuong Vuong, David Brian Fraser, Timothy Michael Pickett
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Publication number: 20130256226Abstract: [Object] In relation to the treatment of organic wastewater in which organic wastewater is separated from biosludge by solid liquid separation using a separation membrane and the permeate water is subjected to RO membrane separation treatment and further in which normal solid liquid separation treatment is suspended and the membrane is cleaned by passing a cleaning liquid through the membrane from the permeate water side to the concentrated water side, the invention prevents a decrease in the flux of RO membranes due to TOC components eluted from the sludge during membrane cleaning and thereby reduces the frequency of chemical cleaning of the RO membranes as well as increases water recovery rate, thus allowing the treatment to be performed stably and efficiently. [Solution] After membrane cleaning, the solid liquid separation is resumed in such a manner that the pH of the obtainable permeate water is adjusted to not less than 9.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2011Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: KURITA WATER INDUSTRIES LTDInventor: Yu Tanaka
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Patent number: 8545700Abstract: The invention includes a method for the optimization of the soluble CO2 concentration in the aeration basin of an activated sludge system, which significantly improves the specific growth rate of the nitrifying bacteria. The result is a reduction in capital and energy costs for municipalities. The rate of nitrification is a product of the nitrifying bacteria biomass concentration and the specific growth rate of the bacteria. In the activated sludge system, the biomass concentration is maintained at high concentrations by reducing the wasting rate. The specific growth rate is a function of the ammonium concentration and the environmental conditions. Here, the inventors show that growth of nitrifying bacteria is inhibited when the soluble CO2 concentration is elevated beyond certain parameters. Elevated soluble CO2 concentration also reduces the pH, which also impacts the rate of growth of nitrifying bacteria.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2010Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: University of South FloridaInventors: Peter George Stroot, Raymond Anthony Morris
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Patent number: 8540877Abstract: A ballasted sequencing batch reactor system for treating wastewater including one or more sequencing batch reactors. A weighting agent impregnation subsystem is configured to mix biological flocs and weighting agent to form weighted biological flocs. A weighting agent recovery subsystem is configured to recover weighting agent from the weighted biological flocs and reintroduce the recovered weighting agent to the weighting agent impregnation subsystem.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2012Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Siemens Water Technologies LLCInventor: Steven E. Woodard
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Patent number: 8535429Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the treat en of process gas from an anaerobic digestion system or a landfill gas system. In one embodiment, the system comprises a caustic scrubber including a vertical column having a top and a bottom and including a counter current flow system, wherein a process gas stream flows up vertically through the column in counter current flow to a caustic liquid solution that flows downward through the column. The caustic liquid solution removes at least one acid from the process gas stream, wherein treated gas that is substantially free of acids bubbles out through an opening at the top of the vertical column.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2011Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Clean Energy Renewable Fuels, LLCInventor: Jeffrey J. Grill
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Publication number: 20130233795Abstract: In an anaerobic treatment method in which contaminated water is introduced into an acidification tank to decompose polymer components in the contaminated water into organic acids, and the effluent from the acidification tank is introduced into a methane production tank containing non-biological fluidized carriers so as to convert the acids into methane, the treatment is carried out stably and continuously by preventing the occurrence of floating of carriers in the methane production tank. The CODcr concentration of polymer components other than organic acids in the acidification tank effluent to be introduced into the methane production tank is controlled to be not more than 300 mg/L. This control prevents the occurrence of acid production reactions in the methane production tank and the consequent proliferation of microorganisms, and thereby suppresses sticking of carriers as well as the occurrence of floating and blockage by the carriers.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2011Publication date: September 12, 2013Inventors: Hideaki Shinto, Takaaki Tokutomi
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Patent number: 8529771Abstract: A process for working up alkaline process wastewater from the nitration of aromatic compounds to mono-, di- and trinitroaromatics, said alkaline process wastewater having a pH of 7.5 to 13, comprising the steps of a) acidifying the alkaline process wastewater by adding concentrated sulfuric acid which originates from the workup of the aqueous, sulfuric acid-containing phase obtained in the nitration to a pH below 5, which forms a mixture A consisting of organic phase which separates out and acidic aqueous phase, b) contacting the mixture A with fresh sewage sludge, and c) removing the sewage sludge.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2010Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: BASF SEInventors: Ruediger Fritz, Renate Hempel, Michael Zoellinger, Anne-Kathrin Merten, Doris Zschieschang, Ina Homann, Annett Gersdorf, Holger Allardt, Reiner Reetz, Elvira Flegel
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Publication number: 20130220921Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating wastewater in which the majority of solids and biological oxygen demand compounds are separated from the wastewater feed using a primary separation process, to produce a solids phase and a water phase. The solids phase is irradiated to reduce the level of pathogens such that it is safe to use as a soil substitute and/or additive so that the solids can thus be disposed of in an environmentally-friendly manner. In additional embodiments, the solids that have been disinfected by radiation are mixed with a suitable inert filler material to produce a soil substitute, fertilizer, compost, or other soil additive. The liquid phase is treated in a substantially smaller system than would be required for treating the full-strength wastewater that can include a suspended media biological regeneration reactor system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2013Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicants: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC., SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANYInventors: William G. CONNER, Osama I. FAGEEHA, Thomas E. SCHULTZ
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Publication number: 20130220920Abstract: A method of conditioning mixed liquor in a membrane bioreactor includes dispersing a treatment additive in the mixed liquor. The treatment additive includes a water soluble block copolymer. Methods for improving flux in a membrane bioreactor and clarifying wastewater are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2010Publication date: August 29, 2013Inventors: Sijing Wang, Stephen Robert Vasconcellos, Jianqiu Wang
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Publication number: 20130213883Abstract: Low strength wastewater such as municipal sewage is treated using an anaerobic digester. In some examples, a wastewater stream is separated into a solids rich portion and a solids lean portion. The solids lean portion is treated, for example to remove nitrogen. The solids rich portion is treated in an anaerobic digester, preferably with influent or recuperative thickening. In another example, the wastewater stream is fed to an anaerobic digester and solid-liquid separation stages downstream of the di-gester return active bacteria and undigested organics to the digester. Both cases may use a process train comprising treatment in an anoxic tank followed by a nitritation tank with a portion of the effluent from the nitritation tank recirculated to the anoxic tank to provide nitritation and denitritation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2011Publication date: August 22, 2013Applicant: ANAERGIA INC.Inventors: Juan Carlos Josse, Andrew Benedek, Diana Mourato-Benedek
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Publication number: 20130206687Abstract: Waste water may be treated by introducing activated carbon into a biological oxidation system as a slurry wherein: (1) the slurry is stable as compared to a conventional activated carbon slurry; (2) the activated carbon within the slurry retains at least 85% of its absorptive capacity; and (3) the activated carbon is immediately available for absorbing organic compounds when introduced into the biological oxidation system. The method is particularly useful for treating upset conditions. These slurries may also be used for treating other types of water to remove compounds that can be absorbed by activated carbon. Exemplary of such water types are process water and run-off water.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2012Publication date: August 15, 2013Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Sidney A. Dunn, Roy Hernandez-Mena, Leonard E. Walther
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Publication number: 20130206688Abstract: There is provided a process of reducing concentration of contaminants in a contaminated wastewater stream, such as contaminated wastewater output from a refinery, such as an oil-refinery; the process comprising: first, passing the contaminated wastewater stream into an electrocoagulation reactor for coagulating dispersed particles, filtering the wastewater stream after electrocoagulation for removing the coagulated dispersed particles, and providing a first stream of treated wastewater after the first filtration; second, passing the first stream of treated wastewater into a Spouted Bed Bio-Reactor (SBBR) containing a micro-organism or bacterium immobilized in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) gel, filtering the first stream after treatment by the SBBR and providing a second stream of treated wastewater after the second filtration; and third, passing the second stream of treated wastewater into an adsorption column containing granular activated carbon (GAC) and providing a third stream of treated wastewater.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2012Publication date: August 15, 2013Inventors: Muftah Hassan El-Naas, Sulaiman Abdulrazak Al-Zuhair
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Patent number: 8491789Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and process integrating the chemical-free oxidation of a photocatalytic decontamination process with a biological decontamination system to eliminate the THM and HAA precursors in drinking water. In one embodiment, a system may comprise a source providing fluid media contaminated with toxic natural organic matter, and a photocatalytic decontamination subsystem configured to oxidize the toxic natural organic matter via a photocatalytic process into non-toxic natural organic matter having a molecular weight low enough for biodegrading said non-toxic matter. The system may include a biological decontamination subsystem configured to immediately receive the contaminated fluid output from the photocatalytic decontamination subsystem, and employing a biological agent to biologically degrade the low-molecular weight non-toxic natural organic matter in the contaminated fluid to a concentration sufficient to prevent the formation of trihalomethanes or haloacetic acids.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2010Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Inventors: Brian E. Butters, Anthony L. Powell
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Patent number: 8480903Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for in-situ remediation of soil and groundwater having contaminants such as but not limited to organic compounds perhaps providing adsorption, chemical oxidation, and even biodegradation of contaminants with novel treatments such as but not limited to mixtures of granular activated carbon, calcium peroxide, sodium persulfate, and nitrate perhaps in various concentrations.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2012Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Inventor: Jesse Clinton Taylor, III
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Patent number: 8480901Abstract: Provided herein are methods and products for biomass digestion, which includes the production of biogas, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classified Class A Biosolids, and pathogen reduced organic liquid fertilizer. Through the digestion of waste materials using sequential phases in an efficient digestion process, enhanced biomass conversion efficiency and improved output of products (in quantity and/or quality) are obtained with a significant reduction in dwell time in each phase.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2012Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Landmark Structures I, LPInventor: Detlev K. Johnson
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Publication number: 20130168314Abstract: Disclosed is a method for treating wastewater containing at least one copper complex, comprising: 1) providing the wastewater containing the at least one copper complex, wherein the at least one copper complex is chosen from EDTA-Cu2+ complex and ammonia-Cu2+ complex; 2) adjusting pH of the wastewater containing the at least one copper complex to be within a range from 2.0 to 3.0, and adding ferrous sulfate to convert copper in the wastewater into a form of cuprous ions; and 3) adjusting pH of the wastewater obtained in step 2) to be within a range from 8.0 to 10.5, so that the cuprous ions in the wastewater are converted into precipitates of cuprous hydroxide and/or precipitates of cuprous oxide.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2012Publication date: July 4, 2013Applicants: PEKING UNIVERSITY FOUNDER GROUP CO., LTD., ZHUHAI FOUNDER PCB DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD., ZHUHAI FOUNDER TECH. MULTILAYER PCB CO., LTD.Inventors: PEKING UNIVERSITY FOUNDER GROUP CO. LTD., ZHUHAI FOUNDER TECH. MULTILAYER PCB CO., LTD., ZHUHAI FOUNDER PCB DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD.
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Patent number: 8465646Abstract: To provide an apparatus for treating a nitrate waste liquid that includes a denitrification tank (12A) which accommodates active sludge that adsorbs or takes in the radioactive substance in a nitrate waste liquid (11) and in which an anaerobic microorganism that reduces the nitric acid to nitrogen gas grows, and a reaeration tank (14) in which a denitrification-treated liquid (24) treated in the denitrification tank (12A) is aerated and mixed with active sludge.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2009Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Naoki Ogawa, Katsushi Shibata, Kazuhiko Kuroda, Hiromitsu Nagayasu, Kuniaki Takahashi, Yoshimi Kawato, Yoshihiro Meguro