Abstract: This disclosure describes wastewater treatment systems and methods of treating wastewater. In one exemplary method, a wastewater is split into first and second wastewater fractions. The first fraction is delivered to a membrane bioreactor, which may produce an effluent with a low pollutant concentration, and the second fraction is delivered to a biological wastewater treatment system, which may yield a higher pollution concentration yet have a shorter solids retention time. Some implementations of the invention can routinely meet or even exceed pollution discharge standards quite economically during normal operation, yet retain significant flexibility for handling seasonal or sudden variations in the flow rate of wastewater into the system.

Abstract: A water retaining and dissipating bedding for a utility line consists of an elongate trench formed in the earth. A filter fabric wrap is provided lining a lengthwise segment of the trench, with a lengthwise segment having a select length. A first select depth of a porous particulate material resting on a trench bottom underlies a non-perforated utility line being installed and supports the non-perforated utility line in the lengthwise segment. A second select depth of porous particulate material overlies the non-perforated utility line in the lengthwise segment. The length of the lengthwise segment, the first select depth and the second select depth are selected to store a select volume of water. A water supply may be provided in liquid communication with the porous particulate material. The water supply may be a bioretention facility for capturing storm water run-off.

Abstract: A method for treating a fluid by providing raw fluid to a process tank, adding an ion exchange resin to the process tank to form a raw fluid/ion exchange resin mixture, removing treated fluid from the process tank through a membrane filter located within the process tank, and regenerating the ion exchange resin within the process tank. The method may be set up as a batch process or as a continuous process using a magnetic ion exchange resin and continuous withdrawal of the magnetic ion exchange resin from the process tank by use of a magnetic separator. The method may also consist of reusing the regenerant in multiple regeneration steps and periodically filtering the regenerant to restore its regenerative properties. Alternatively, an upflow bed of ion exchange resin may be used to treat the raw fluid before membrane filtration.

Abstract: A horizontal bore cryogenic drilling method includes in a first embodiment forming a pilot hole of a first select diameter along a desired path of the horizontal bore. A grindable casing is inserted into the guide bore. A cryogenic fluid is flowed through the grindable casing to form a freeze zone of frozen moisture adjacent the grindable casing having a second select diameter. A primary bore is formed having a third select diameter greater than the first diameter and less than the second select diameter within the freeze zone along the desired path of the horizontal bore with the grindable casing in place. The second diameter is selected to be sufficiently greater than the third select diameter to prevent collapse of the freeze zone. Another embodiment of the invention is a method of forming a horizontal bore in an earth formation including providing a drill string having a conduit communicating with a cutting tool for engaging the earth formation.

Abstract: A method of treating wastewater to increase effluent volatile fatty acid content consisting of providing wastewater to a primary treatment vessel and adding a select quantity of a chemical, typically an aluminum or iron salt, to the wastewater, enhancing the separation of organic matter. Separated organic matter is then removed from the chemically treated wastewater forming a primary sludge and a primary effluent. A portion of the primary sludge is fermented to form a volatile fatty acid rich liquor. The volatile fatty acid rich liquor may then be used with the primary effluent, directed to a bioreactor, thereby forming a volatile fatty acid enriched bioreactor feed. The volatile fatty acid enriched influent may be further treated through known biological phosphorous and nitrogen removal methods.

Abstract: A method for treating particulate biodegradable organic waste includes adjusting the pH as necessary to provide an acidic pH prior to introducing the waste to a thermal hydrolysis reactor and hydrolyzing the waste at a temperature of about 130° C. or greater and a pressure greater than the saturated water vapor pressure to produce a slurry including solubilized organic material and residual solids. The solubilized organic material is separated from the residual solids using a liquid/solid separator and the solubilized organics are subjected to anaerobic digestion to produce a methane gas. The method may further include preheating the particulate biodegradable organic waste with latent heat of the separated solubilized organic material prior to thermal hydrolysis.

Abstract: A method for treating a fluid by providing a raw fluid to a process tank. The raw fluid may be water having varying degrees of contamination or another type of fluid. The method further consists of adding an ion exchange resin to the process tank to form a raw fluid/ion exchange resin mixture. After the fluid has been sufficiently contacted with the ion exchange resin, treated fluid is removed from the process tank through a membrane filter located within the process tank. The method is completed by regenerating the ion exchange resin within the same process tank.

Abstract: An evaluation system models water usage within a region. The evaluation system provides a graphical representation of various water system components. Each water system component has a model describing its water balance and parameters for customizing the model for an instance of the water system component. The evaluation system receives indications of water system components within the region along with connections between the water system components. The evaluation system receives values for parameters of the water system components. The evaluation system then calculates the water demand of the region by calculating the water balance of each water system component within the region based on the models for each water system component and the connections between the water system components. The evaluation system provides a cost-effective solution to manage water usage within the region.

Abstract: A method and system for ascertaining the overall internal conditions of pipes. A grading system calculates a grade for each pipe that is in the range of 1 to 100, which represents its overall condition. The system then calculates a defect type score for each defect type that factors in the severity of the defect type and the extent of the defects of that defect type. The system then combines the defect type scores of the defect types to generate an overall score for the internal condition of the pipe.

Abstract: Removal of biological nutrients from a wastewater yielding a low phosphorous (e.g., less than 0.25 mg/L) output includes providing a serial multistage bioreactor containing activated sludge having in hydraulic series an anaerobic zone and a downstream aerobic zone, with each zone having an upstream inlet and a downstream outlet. The wastewater is provided to the anaerobic zone inlet. A quantity of chemical sufficient to precipitate soluble and particulate phosphorous is added to the downstream aerobic zone in an amount sufficient to yield a low phosphorous output. Treated water is separated from the activated sludge and precipitated phosphorous and a return activated sludge separated from the treated water is recycled to the anaerobic zone.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating hazardous materials are disclosed. One exemplary implementation provides a system for rendering chemical weapons materiel less hazardous. This system includes a detonation chamber, an expansion chamber, and an emission treater adapted to treat gas from detonation of the chemical weapons materiel. The emission treater yields a substantially dry residual waste stream and a treated gas suitable for venting to atmosphere. The emission treater may treat the gas with an alkaline powder that interacts with the gas, producing the residual waste stream.

Abstract: A horizontal bore cryogenic drilling method includes in a first embodiment forming a pilot hole of a first select diameter along a desired path of the horizontal bore. A grindable casing is inserted into the guide bore. A cryogenic fluid is flowed through the grindable casing to form a freeze zone of frozen moisture adjacent the grindable casing having a second select diameter. A primary bore is formed having a third select diameter greater than the first diameter and less than the second select diameter within the freeze zone along the desired path of the horizontal bore with the grindable casing in place. The second diameter is selected to be sufficiently greater than the third select diameter to prevent collapse of the freeze zone. Another embodiment of the invention is a method of forming a horizontal bore in an earth formation including providing a drill string having a conduit communicating with a cutting tool for engaging the earth formation.

Abstract: A method for treating particulate biodegradable organic waste includes sizing the waste and adding a base prior to introducing the waste to a thermal hydrolysis reactor and hydrolyzing the waste at a temperature of about 130° C. or greater and a pressure greater than the saturated water vapor pressure to produce a slurry including solubilized organic material and residual solids. The solubilized organic material is separated from the residual solids using a liquid/solid separator and the solubilized organics are subjected to anaerobic digestion to produce a methane gas. The base is preferably potassium hydroxide (KOH) at a concentration of about 1%. The method may further include preheating the particulate biodegradable organic waste with latent heat of the separated solubilized organic material prior to thermal hydrolysis.

Abstract: An apparatus for forcing airflow through (i.e., aerating) a particulate material consists of a planar bearing surface and a ventilation conduit underlying the planar bearing surface. A plurality of delivery conduits extend between the ventilation conduit and the planar bearing surface with a mouth of the delivery conduits being near the planar bearing surface. A grate, defining a plurality of openings, covers the mouth of each delivery conduit. Each grate has a top surface substantially parallel to the planar bearing surface and positioned at or no more than a select distance below the planar bearing surface. This select distance is close enough to the planar bearing surface to prevent the accumulation of particulate material over the grate as the particulate material is scraped from the planar bearing surface with an implement having a linear edge abutting the planar bearing surface.

Abstract: An apparatus using activated sludge for the removal of biological nutrients from a wastewater includes a bioreactor for containing a mixture of wastewater under treatment and activated sludge. The bioreactor is divided into a plurality of serially connected treatment zones and includes a wastewater inlet, a downstream aerobic zone and an upstream aerobic zone between the wastewater inlet and the downstream aerobic zone, the upstream and downstream aerobic zones being separated by an anoxic zone. A method for removal of nutrients from a wastewater includes providing a wastewater to an inlet of a serial, multi-zone, activated sludge bioreactor containing an activated sludge. The bioreactor has a downstream aerobic zone from which water is removed and an upstream aerobic zone between the wastewater inlet and the downstream aerobic zone, the upstream and downstream aerobic zones being separated by an anoxic zone.

Abstract: Removal of biological nutrients from a wastewater yielding a low phosphorous (e.g., less than 0.25 mg/L) output includes providing a serial multistage bioreactor containing activated sludge having in hydraulic series an anaerobic zone and a downstream aerobic zone, with each zone having an upstream inlet and a downstream outlet. The wastewater is provided to the anaerobic zone inlet. A quantity of chemical sufficient to precipitate soluble and particulate phosphorous is added to the downstream aerobic zone in an amount sufficient to yield a low phosphorous output. Treated water is separated from the activated sludge and precipitated phosphorous and a return activated sludge separated from the treated water is recycled to the anaerobic zone.

Abstract: A GIS-based system and method for simulating, viewing, analyzing and managing emergency or other events is provided. A multi-layered map of the event location and surrounding area is displayed by a computer. A cordon area around the event location may be displayed as an additional layer and affected facilities may be highlighted. Traffic control points (TCPs) around the periphery of the cordon area may also be identified on the map. Thus, emergency personnel may be efficiently dispatched to assist evacuations and restrict access to the cordon area. If the event includes a hazardous material spill or threat, the computer may generate a plume dispersion model and display the estimated plume as another layer on the map whereupon an extended cordon area may be displayed and additional affected facilities and new TCPs highlighted. Real-time information may be received from on-scene personnel, remote sensors and other means and the map may thus be kept current.

Abstract: A method of treating wastewater to increase effluent volatile fatty acid content consisting of providing wastewater to a primary treatment vessel and adding a select quantity of a chemical, typically an aluminum or iron salt, to the wastewater, enhancing the separation of organic matter. Separated organic matter is then removed from the chemically treated wastewater forming a primary sludge and a primary effluent. A portion of the primary sludge is fermented to form a volatile fatty acid rich liquor. The volatile fatty acid rich liquor may then be used with the primary effluent, directed to a bioreactor, thereby forming a volatile fatty acid enriched bioreactor feed. The volatile fatty acid enriched influent may be further treated through known biological phosphorous and nitrogen removal methods.

Abstract: A rectangular tilt-up concrete tank includes a concrete slab with a metal plate anchored thereto, the metal plate defining at least one substantially linear concrete side wall location. A plurality of preformed concrete side panels each having metal plates attached along a bottom edge and opposing side edges are welded in a liquid-tight weld to the metal plate defining the concrete side wall location and a side metal plate of each side panel is welded to a metal side plate of an adjacent side panel in a liquid-tight weld to define a concrete side wall. Horizontal and vertical post-tensioning sleeves are provided in the side panels for receiving post-tensioning tendons.

Abstract: A method of biodegrading municipal solid waste includes providing a quantity of municipal solid waste and promoting anaerobic digestion in the quantity of municipal solid waste by methanogenic organisms to produce methane. The methane production is monitored and when it is determined that production of methane from the quantity of municipal solid waste has subsided, aerobic digestion of the quantity of municipal solid waste is promoted. A gas collection system in operative association with the quantity of organic waste collects biogas and the biogas is monitored and the rate of gas collection is adjusted as necessary to maximize methane collection. A leachate collection system collects leachate from the quantity of municipal solid waste and circulates the leachate back to the quantity of organic waste during the anaerobic digestion and aerobic digestion steps.