Abstract: A method of removing a contaminant from liquid is provided. The method includes adding magnetic biological particles to a liquid containing a contaminant, sorbing the contaminant to the magnetic biological particles, and separating the sorbed contaminant from the liquid by applying a magnetic field to the magnetic biological particles. In some versions, the magnetic biological particles are pollen grains having added magnetic material. Also provided are methods of making magnetic biological particles, and compositions containing magnetic biological particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for thermal hydrolysis of organic matter, wherein a heating element (2) and a cooling element (4) are provisioned to heat up or cool down the organic matter. Heat exchangers are provisioned as heating element (2) and cooling element (4) which exchange heat between the organic matter and a medium. The organic matter and the medium are separate relative to each other within the heat exchangers. A throttle (9) and a decompression tank (10) are provisioned between the heating element (2) and the cooling element (4).

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrolysis method that uses iron particles and an aqueous solution containing sodium hypochlorite. The method is characterised in that said method uses direct current, the iron particles form the anode (46) and the sodium hypochlorite concentration of the aqueous solution is at least 1 g/L. The invention further relates to a method and to a plant for the pretreatment of raw water for producing water that can then be easily treated in order to produce drinkable water or a so-called technical water that cannot be consumed but that can be used for household, agricultural or industrial applications such as cleaning, washing, laundry, flushing, garden watering or irrigation.

Abstract: A process for treating wastewater containing nitro-hydroxy-aromatic compounds using oxidative sub-critical conditions. The wastewater to be treated is adjusted to contain excess hydroxide equivalent to greater than three moles of free hydroxide per mole of total nitro-hydroxy-aromatic compounds, and a sub-stoichiometric amount of an oxidant is supplied to the wastewater. The nitro-hydroxy-aromatic compounds may include nitro-phenol salts or nitro-cresol salts.

Abstract: The present disclosures provides isolated or purified compounds, each of which bind to a metal atom. Generally, the compounds are small in size (e.g, molecular weight of less than about 1 kDa) and peptidic in nature, inasmuch as the compounds comprise amino acids. In some embodiments, the compound comprises a structure of Formula I: M1-P1-M2-P2 wherein each of P1 and P2 is a peptide comprising at least two amino acids, M1 is a first metal binding moiety comprising a substituted imidazolone ring, M2 is a second metal binding moiety comprising a substituted oxazolone ring, and wherein M1 and M2 bind to a single metal atom. Also provided are related complexes, conjugates, cells which synthesize the compounds of the present disclosures, substantially homogenous cultures thereof, kits and compositions, and methods of making or using the materials of the present disclosures.

Abstract: An apparatus for the anaerobic digestion of solid waste is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pre-digestion treatment chamber and an anaerobic digester chamber coupled to the pre-digestion treatment chamber. A liquid suspension of solid waste is pretreated under aerobic conditions by heating to a desired pre-digestion temperature. One or more chemical or biological additives are added to the suspension of solid waste to improve the anaerobic digestibility of the solid waste. This may include enzymes to destruct poorly digestible solids and/or materials to provide a desired C:N ratio in the solid waste. The apparatus may include mixers, heaters, chemical or biological additives as needed, various sensors and probes, and a control system to monitor and control the anaerobic digestion process and maintain microbial health of the digester.

Abstract: A water or wastewater treatment system to reduce phosphorus or other pollutant concentrations in water or wastewater may include an optional primary treatment stage in fluid communication with a biological secondary treatment stage. The secondary treatment stage may, in turn, be fluidly connected with a tertiary treatment stage, which may include a chemical treatment portion for reducing phosphorus or other pollutants to desired levels. The precipitated phosphorus and other solids or sludge produced from the chemical treatment portion may be recycled upstream for reuse in the primary, secondary, and/or tertiary treatment stages. Such recycle may reduce the amount of added chemicals required in the tertiary treatment stage to phosphorus or other pollutants to desired amounts.

Abstract: An advanced water treatment method processes a continuous flow of water in a sequence of stages including pre-filtering to remove solids, conditioning to adjust pH, blending with a recycled dense microalgae culture, and passing the resulting mixture through an enclosed, environmentally-controlled photobioreactor where nutrients, PCB's, trace metals and other pollutants and regulated compounds are taken up by the algae. The flow from the PBR is separated using cross-flow filtration to produce a treated water flow and a dense microalgae flow that is recycled to the blending stage upstream. Thus, whereas the algae is recycled, the water entering the system is treated by flowing sequentially through the stages of the system, without any recycling or repetition of treatment stages.

Abstract: A system and method of reducing ammonia emissions. The system and method include a facility having a waste storage compartment below a floor comprised of slats with openings therebetween. A plurality of injection pipes are attached to a bottom surface of the slats. Each of the plurality of injection pipes includes a plurality of precipitation nozzles.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and system for 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.

Abstract: A method for treating a wastewater stream containing organic material or inorganic material comprising passing the wastewater stream to an anode or a cathode of a bioelectrochemical system to thereby alter the pH of the wastewater stream to: a) reduce the pH of the stream passed to the anode to minimise or suppress precipitation of dissolved cations; or b) increase the pH of the stream passed to the cathode to produce an alkaline stream; or c) reduce the pH of the stream passed to the anode to produce an acid containing stream. In one embodiment, a caustic soda solution is produced at the cathode and recovered for storage and subsequent use.

Abstract: An object is to provide a fresh water generating method that is capable of efficiently producing purified water, such as fresh water, from unpurified water, such as sea water. Provided is a fresh water generating method for generating fresh water by way of reverse osmosis membrane filtration, which includes mixing sea water with low salt concentration water having a salt concentration lower than sea water to produce mixed water, and subjecting the mixed water prepared by the mixing to reverse osmosis membrane filtration, thereby generating fresh water.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for reducing the demand of wastewater volume flowing through a wastewater collection piping system and thereby increasing the effective capacity of the system. A portion of the wastewater is diverted from a sewer main. The solids are separated from the liquid, for example, by a vortex separator. The recovered liquid can be treated and made available for local reuse. The concentrated solids are reintroduced into the main sewage line in a portion that adjusts the wastewater loading in the sewer main to a predetermined amount or predetermined range. Also disclosed is a system capable of reintroducing the concentrated solids into the sewer main in a portion that adjusts the solids loading in the sewer main to a predetermined amount or predetermined range.

Abstract: Ultrapure water of high purity having extremely low TOC concentration is produced by efficiently degrading urea in raw water by biological activated carbon treatment even when the raw water contains ammonium nitrogen. The ultrapure water production method, where raw water is treated in a primary pure water system, and then the resulting water is treated in a subsystem, contains a step of treating pretreated water with chlorine based oxidizer added by a biological treatment means installed upstream to the subsystem. Chlorine based oxidizer is added so that the chlorine based oxidizer concentration is 5 times or more than the ammonium nitrogen concentration of water treated in the biological treatment means in terms of Cl2.

Abstract: Drainage water containing an organofluorine compound is introduced into a raw tank (1) and then filtered through a filtration device (4). Next, a microorganism, a micro-nanobubbling auxiliary agent and a nutrient are added thereto in a first transit tank (5) while micro-nanobubbles are generated thereinto by a micro-nanobubbling machine (7), thereby giving treated water. This treated water is then fed into an active carbon column (14) and then the above-described organofluorine compound contained in the treated water is decomposed by the microorganism as described above.

Abstract: A chlorinator for a biosand filter includes a chlorinator adapted for treating water after it has been filtered by a biosand filter. The chlorinator has a housing having an inlet on a side and an outlet on a bottom. The inlet is adapted to be attached to the outlet of a biosand filter. A dividing partition divides the housing into an inlet section, an outlet section and a chlorinator section. The inlet section is in fluid communication with the inlet, the chlorinator section and the outlet section. The chlorinator section is in fluid communication with the inlet section and the outlet section. The outlet section is in communication with the outlet. A flow control mechanism in the inlet section is adapted to adjust the amount of water flowing through the chlorinator section.

Abstract: In a sewage treatment plant with a membrane bioreactor (MBR), raw untreated or partially treated wastewater (influent) and/or mixed liquor in the intensified process is superoxygenated. In a preferred form of the process the influent is superoxygenated such that membrane air scouring requirements are reduced. Influent may be fed to a swing zone where denitrification and nitrification occur simultaneously through process control. In one embodiment superoxygenation is conducted in an internal recycle stream of the mixed liquor, with oxygen content supersaturated preferably to over 300 parts per million. Due to the active evolution of oxygen gas from the supersaturated stream, occurring preferably by seeding the supersaturated stream with air bubbles, the supersaturated oxygen can serve the dual purposes of meeting process oxygen demands and providing part of air scouring requirements for the membranes.

Abstract: Methods of enhancing anaerobic digestion of wastewater are provided. The methods comprise pressure oxidation of digester material to remove sulfide and/or regenerate iron. Also provided are a pressure oxidizer device and a wastewater treatment system having one or more of such devices. The methods, device, and system have application in treatment of municipal wastewater, wastewater of agricultural and livestock operations, and in biofuels production.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microbiology technology field. More particularly, it relates to Pseudomonas alcaliphila MBR CGMCC 2318 which has the ability to reduce and adsorb metal and nonmetal ions. It also relates to methods of bioreduction and biosorption using the said strain by means of its property of reducing nitrate to ammonium and adsorbing metal ions to reduce the metal and nonmetal ions in the solution to elementary state under aerobic conditions. The present invention also relates to application of the said strain in bio-metallurgy, production of metal and nonmetal elementary substance, treatment of wastewater containing metal ions, and removal of harmful metal and nonmetal ions contained in soil and water. The strain of the present invention is easy to cultivate. The method of bioreduction and biosorption by it is very simple and can be widely used in metallurgy, treatment of wastewater and removal of harmful substances in soil and water.

Abstract: The installation comprises three reaction vessels (100, 200, 300) in series, each containing an aqueous phase and a specific bacterial population. The vessels serve in succession to dissolve the liquid feedstock for treatment by enzymatic hydrolysis, then to biodegrade the resulting effluent by biological digestion, and finally to reduce the residual bacterial components by biological action. The vessels are mutually isolated by tangential filters (108, 208, 308) and by centrifugal separators (212, 312) for filtering the biomass from the reaction products. The result is a final liquid effluent (EFF/N) that is essentially non-organic, with the filtered biomass downstream constituting an ultimate organic waste (DU) of reduced volume.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for treating water that comprises chloride ions, other ions (e.g., ferrous ions, sulfide ions, or sulfite ions) and microorganisms.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method(s) of improving flux in a membrane bioreactor by adding an effective amount of catonic, amphoteric, and zwitterionic polymers, or a combination thereof. The membrane bioreactor impacted by the addition of these polymers is made up of a combination of anaerobic reactors, anoxic reactors, and aerobic reactors and anaerobic digesters.

Abstract: Biogenic silica is produced by combusting a biogenic source material such as rice hulls to give rich hull ash (RHA), and the combusted biogenic silica may be subsequently treated to improve the filtration or adsorption properties thereof e.g. by changing the surface charge, the surface tension, the surface area, the average pore size, the pore size distribution, particle size distribution, and/or the permeability thereof. Such biogenic silica is useful to remove a species, such as an impurity, from a fluid to purify the fluid and/or to recover the species therefrom. RHA may be used to remove species including organic, inorganic or microbial particulates, surfactants, metal ions, non-metallic anions, organic compounds, color bodies, odor-producing species, chlorinated compound, pigment, free fatty acids, phospholipids, peroxides, oil and/or grease different from the non-aqueous fluid, algae, bacteria, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method for treating mixed wastewater from pharmaceutical chemical industry parks including introducing mixed wastewater into a regulation tank for regulation of water flow and water quality, and then into a hydrolysis tank having a hanged filler and employing upflow water distribution, into an anaerobic tank employing upflow water distribution, into a moving bed biofilm reactor having a suspended filler and an aeration device at the bottom thereof, into a biological aerated filter including a ceramic filler, and finally treating using coagulating precipitation process. The final effluent has less than 100 mg/L COD.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for treatment of contaminated liquid are provided including an integrated ultra-filtration and clarification apparatus, and an optional integrated electrocoagulation capability. The integrated apparatus comprises an outer tank, an inner casing, and a plurality of ultra-filtration filters contained within the inner casing. Clarification of liquid occurs in the gap between the casing and tank. Solid matter settles, and aggregates in the bottom portion of the tank. The accumulated solid material acts as a secondary filter by pre-filtering the liquid prior to contact with the ultra-filtration filters. Clarified liquid is retained in a chamber of the casing, and the clarified liquid is drawn through the ultra-filtration filters as initiated by a source of vacuum communicating with the ultra-filtration filters.

Abstract: In treating organic-containing wastewater by a biological treatment in a stage prior to a advanced treatment such as membrane separation or the like, the amount of the biological metabolites produced in the biological treatment step is reduced to reduce the amount of the organic substances flowing into the advanced treatment step in a latter stage, thereby making the advanced treatment stable and efficient and efficiently recovering treated water of high quality. Water anaerobically biologically treated in an anaerobic reaction tank 11 including an acid production tank 11A and a UASB reaction tank 11B is subjected to a coagulation treatment and then to solid-liquid separation in a No. 1 sedimentation tank 14. The resultant separated water is aerobically biologically treated water is subjected to a coagulation treatment and then to solid-liquid separation in a No. 2 sedimentation tank 24.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of anaerobic treatment which makes it possible to prevent disintegration of granular sludge and perform high-load high-velocity anaerobic treatment stably even in the case where treatment is performed under conditions where the granular sludge is easily disintegrated. In a reaction tank 20 which retains the granular sludge, nitric acid or nitrous acid is adjusted so that they have a certain concentration range. For example, nitric acid is added to the liquid to be treated by connecting the nitric acid addition path 12 to a midway point of the path of the liquid to be treated 31 which introduces the liquid to be treated to the reaction tank 20, and nitric acid is mixed with the liquid to be treated. By introducing nitric acids within the reaction tank 20, denitrifying bacteria etc. can multiply, and disintegration of the granules is prevented.

Abstract: An apparatus for water treatment which comprises a means of removing ingredients contained in water and a means of adsorbing ions with a porous molding as an adsorbent, wherein the porous molding comprises fibrils comprising an organic polymer resin and an inorganic ion adsorbent. The fibrils form interconnecting pores open to the outer surface and have voids in inner parts thereof, at least part of the voids being open to the surface of the fibrils. The inorganic ion adsorbent has been deposited on the outer surface of the fibrils and on the surface of the voids in the fibrils.

Abstract: A new and improved method for treating mine influenced water (MIW) or other environmental contamination is disclosed. A number of electron donors are disclosed, including chitin complex-containing materials. The chitin complex-containing materials may modify the pH and reductive-oxidation potential of the contaminated media within the subsurface or within a treatment cell to facilitate metal removal through biological, chemical, and physical means, or a combination thereof. Bioremediation enhancing agents such as yeast products may also be used to facilitate microbial treatment of the contaminated sources. The yeast products may work with microbes to improve the rate of contaminant removal and promote microbial growth.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for biological treatment of water in swimming pools. The method requires neither chlorine nor other toxic chemicals in the pool water, since near-surface pool water is mechanically purified in a first water circuit and suspended matter situated in the pool water is first retained in a biological filter (9) in a second water circuit and organic matter contained in said suspended matter, such as algae or detritus, and also organic matter dissolved in the pool water, are mineralized by the action of bacteria, wherein the phosphorus contained in the organic matter is catabolyzed to form dissolved reactive phosphate that is then bound by adsorption in an anion exchanger (14).

Abstract: One embodiment of an apparatus and method for treating agricultural animal wastewater that costs less to build, is easy to operate, and requires little energy input. The method employs natural systems for wastewater treatment; an initial anaerobic digestion treatment followed by batch floating aquatic plant treatment. The batch floating aquatic plant treatment of effluent and subsequent batch discharge provides increased control of the treatment process. Opportunistic collection and use of biogas and floating aquatic biomass results in additional benefits. The apparatus reduces the cost and land area required for the system by subdividing a lagoon into an anaerobic digestion treatment zone below the apparatus and a floating aquatic plant treatment zone above the apparatus. In addition, the apparatus is disposed in the lagoon in such a way that it facilitates the collection of biogas evolving from anaerobic digestion treatment beneath the apparatus by diverting it to areas to be collected.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the purification of waste water, in particular for the continuous purification of waste water in papermaking, where waste water to be purified is fed to an anaerobic reactor (12), the waste water is contacted, in the anaerobic reactor (12), with anaerobic microorganisms in order to degrade contaminants present in the waste water, and the purified waste water is discharged from the anaerobic reactor (12), where at least some of the waste water is subjected to a pressure-release flotation step (30) before being supplied to the anaerobic reactor or after being discharged from the anaerobic reactor, in order to delime the water to at least some extent. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a device which is suitable for carrying out the process according to the invention.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of waste water from florfenicol production is provided, which mainly comprises the steps as follows: adding iron chips or steel slag to waste water from a copper salt workshop, regulating the pH value, filtering, then adding limestone, lime or Ca(OH)2 and having a solid-liquid separation; blending the treated waste water and waste water from a splitting workshop, oxidizing the residual reductive matter by ozone and removing NH3-N by blowing; blending the treated water and waste water from esterifying or florfenicol workshops and diluting the blended water, adding phosphate and microelement, regulating the pH value, then having an anaerobic treatment in an anaerobic reactor; diluting the treated waste water, then having an aerobic treatment in an aerobic reactor.

Abstract: A method and system of treating wastewater that can provide operating flexibility is disclosed. The system is operated with a sequencing batch reactor, which is typically cycling to any of fill, react, settle, decant, and idle stages, to treat the wastewater. The system can further utilize a membrane filtration system to further treat water from the sequencing batch reactor and produce suitable water. A solids-reducing system can be connected to the sequencing batch reactor and reduce an amount of biodegraded solids by converting the character or distribution of microorganisms population in the biomass.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for water treatment are described, particularly for the simultaneous removal of nitrate, perchlorate, and other organic contaminates from contaminated water using a membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR).

Abstract: Provided is a filter assembly for a bioremediating catch basin. The filter assembly comprises a container having at least one inlet and at least one outlet; a carrier substance, such as a foam, which carries a microorganism capable of digesting hydrocarbons; and optionally an adsorbent material. The filter assembly also optionally has structures for overflow conditions which allow the exit of water, but not floating contaminants from the catch basin. Also provided is a replaceable cartridge for the filter assembly. Also provided is a method for bioremediation of polluted water.

Abstract: A water or wastewater treatment system to reduce phosphorus or other pollutant concentrations in water or wastewater may include an optional primary treatment stage in fluid communication with a biological secondary treatment stage. The secondary treatment stage may, in turn, be fluidly connected with a tertiary treatment stage, which may include a chemical treatment portion for reducing phosphorus or other pollutants to desired levels. The precipitated phosphorus and other solids or sludge produced from the chemical treatment portion may be recycled upstream for reuse in the primary, secondary, and/or tertiary treatment stages. Such recycle may reduce the amount of added chemicals required in the tertiary treatment stage to phosphorus or other pollutants to desired amounts.

Abstract: A system for mixing and mixing processes and structures are disclosed. In addition a nozzle used for mixing is disclosed.

Abstract: In a method for removing sulphate and heavy metals from waste water: a) in a first treatment step (I) hydrogen sulphide is guided through the waste water, heavy metals that are present in the waste water are precipitated as sulphide, and are removed from the waste water, b) in a second treatment step (II), calcium sulphate is precipitated from the waste water by adding a precipitation auxiliary agent, c) the calcium sulphate is removed in the second treatment step (II) and one part thereof is guided to a third treatment step (III) in which sulphate is converted into hydrogen sulphide with the aid of sulphate-reducing bacteria, d) hydrogen sulphide formed in the third treatment step (III) is guided back to the first treatment step (I).

Abstract: A denitrification system is disclosed, where a plurality of biological regenerated adsorptive cells or units. Each cell includes a counterflowing absorptive media and waste water to achieve a two or three zone biomass nitrate/nitrite degradation environment. The system includes a backwash water recirculation loop and a media recirculation loop, where the media recirculation loop subjects the media a sufficient shear to dislodge dead microbes and/or weakly bound microbial films from the media surface, but insufficient to substantially reduce the particle size of the friable media. Nutrient supply and distribution and gas controls are used regulate cell characteristics.

Abstract: Systems and associated methods for treating contaminant-containing wastewater are provided. The systems generally include a reducing zone for reducing the oxidation-reduction potential of the water and a clean-up zone comprising zero valent iron for removing at least a portion of the contaminant from the contaminant-containing water. The systems are operable to remove one or more contaminants from the contaminant-containing water and are operable for extended durations without clogging due to the formation of iron hydroxides.

Abstract: A process for removing phosphorus from wastewater wherein an iron or aluminum salt is added to the wastewater. The iron or aluminum salt results in the precipitation of certain iron or aluminum species that include phosphorus adsorption sites. These iron or phosphorus species are settled and become a part of sludge produced in the course of the wastewater treatment process. By recycling substantial portions of the sludge, the concentration of these iron or aluminum species in the wastewater is increased. This increased concentration results in the presence of large quantities of unused phosphorus adsorption sites that attract and adsorb phosphorus, resulting in phosphorus being removed from the wastewater.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system is provided comprising a biological reactor having a separation subsystem, a suspension system and a membrane operating system. The separation subsystem is constructed and arranged to maintain adsorbent material in the biological reactor with a mixed liquor. The suspension system is positioned in the biological reactor and is constructed and arranged to maintain adsorbent material in suspension with mixed liquor. The membrane operating system is located downstream of the biological reactor and is constructed and arranged to receive treated mixed liquor from the biological reactor and discharge a membrane permeate. In addition, a wastewater treatment system is provided comprising a first biological reaction zone, a second biological reaction zone and a membrane operating system. The first biological reaction zone is constructed and arranged to receive and treat the wastewater.

Abstract: A pressure-actuated disinfectant dispenser and method for treating wastewater in an aerobic treatment system. The dispenser includes a reservoir for holding a disinfectant supply and a dosage container for holding a dosage of disinfectant. The container is positioned within the reservoir and has a flow-regulated path for fluid communication from the reservoir into the container. The invention also includes actuation means for increasing the pressure within the dosage container to force disinfectant therefrom, and a discharge assembly for discharging fluid from the dosage container into said storage tank.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and 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.

Abstract: A low concentration wastewater treatment system is provided that includes a high flux adsorbent material treatment system integrated with a low flux adsorbent material biological regeneration reactor. The high flux adsorbent material treatment system includes one or more unit operations for mixing low concentration wastewater with adsorbent material that is fresh, recycled, or a combination of both, and for decanting a liquid effluent having a reduced level of contaminants. The adsorbent material with adsorbed contaminants is regenerated in a low flux adsorbent material biological regeneration reactor in which a biological reaction occurs, such as biological oxidation, wherein organic contaminants in the wastewater are metabolized generally into carbon dioxide and water. Excess biomass is removed from the adsorbent material, and the thus-regenerated adsorbent material is recycled to the high flux adsorbent material treatment system.

Abstract: A process for the decontamination of an effluent containing one or more dissolved metals is provided. The process includes producing hydrogen sulphide in an aqueous medium by culturing alkaliphilic sulphate-reducing or thio-sulphate reducing bacteria in the presence of an organic compound serving as an electron donor and in the presence of a sulphurous compound serving as an electron acceptor. The effluent is contacted with the hydrogen sulphide and the dissolved metals are reduced and/or precipitated in the form of metal sulphides.

Abstract: The wastewater treatment system includes a tank having first and second partition walls dividing the tank into first, second and third chambers. An inlet port is formed through the first chamber and an outlet port is formed through the third chamber. A first port is formed through the first partition wall for controlling fluid flow from the first chamber to the second chamber, and a second port is formed through the second partition wall for controlling fluid flow from the second chamber to the third chamber. Oils and sludge are removed from the wastewater in the first chamber. Anaerobic bacteria within the second chamber then removes organic material from the water. The water is stored in the third chamber is irradiated by germicidal ultraviolet light before discharge from the third chamber.