Abstract: A method to accumulate and pre-treat waste water prior to further processing. The method comprises accumulating waste water in a first and second tank and selectively adding further influent waste water to the first or second tank to such that the resultant pH from combining the influent waste water with the accumulated waste water results in a pH close to a target pH.

Abstract: A system and method for static mixing in a waste water settling tank to increase recovery of first entrained solids and solvated materials, comprising a settling tank having a recirculation ring and a hopper bottom defining a sludge hopper having a flat bottom portion, a fluid containment assembly, and a fluid deflector assembly with an optional fluid dispersion assembly. The system further comprises an inlet pipe for introduction of waste water containing second entrained solids and solvated materials into the settling tank and a discharge outlet in proximity to the underside of the fluid deflector assembly with nozzle facing downward. Influent waste water is directed both downward into the fluid containment assembly and upward into the center of the fluid deflector assembly and an optional fluid dispersion assembly to distribute the influent into contact with previously introduced waste water to cause coalescence of the first and second entrained solids.

Abstract: A system comprising method and apparatus for separating biologically-digestible materials from an influent sewage stream. The system may comprise a primary clarification tank to capture sixty percent or more of the total solids from an influent stream; a sludge classifying press (SCP) to isolate and concentrate biologically digestible materials from sludge formed in the primary clarification tank, releasing valuable organics, such as are found in corn kernels, by fracturing the protective casings; a grit capture mechanism in a chamber within the primary clarification tank and isolated from the bulk of the sludge containing biologically-degradable materials; a grit trap to remove grit from the sludge prior to classifying the sludge with the SCP; apparatus for adding thickener to the sludge after classification and prior to digestion; and automation of one or more elements of the process for separating and digesting the biologically digestible materials in an influent stream.

Abstract: A system comprising method and apparatus for separating biologically-digestible materials from an influent sewage stream. The system may comprise a primary clarification tank to capture sixty percent or more of the total solids from an influent stream; a sludge classifying press (SCP) to isolate and concentrate biologically digestible materials from sludge formed in the primary clarification tank, releasing valuable organics, such as are found in corn kernels, by fracturing the protective casings; a grit capture mechanism in a chamber within the primary clarification tank and isolated from the bulk of the sludge containing biologically-degradable materials; a grit trap to remove grit from the sludge prior to classifying the sludge with the SCP; apparatus for adding thickener to the sludge after classification and prior to digestion; and automation of one or more elements of the process for separating and digesting the biologically digestible materials in an influent stream.

Abstract: A screen decanter for decanting liquid from a reservoir, comprising at least one rack comprising screens and baffles forming the sides of a cavity; a frame attached to the screens and baffles and providing a barrier so that liquid cannot pass from outside into the cavity without passing through the screens; a patterned perforated drain pipe inside the cavity and leading to an opening through which liquids may drain out from the cavity. The pattern of the openings counteracts the hydrostatic head within the rack such that flow through the screens is uniform at all depths of immersion in the liquid reservoir. Preferably, the screens have a porosity of about 50 micrometers.

Abstract: A foldable drain pipe for draining effluent from a decanter in a settling tank in a water treatment system, comprising a plurality of pipe sections sealingly connected together end to end by pivotable elbow coupling pairs to form an articulated drain foldable in a vertical direction. The drain pipe is attachable at an upper end to the decanter and at a lower end to a tank outlet in the tank wall. The drain pipe can support its own weight and cannot come into contact undesirably with any other portion of the tank wall. The pipe unfolds upward as needed when the decanter and effluent level are high, and folds compactly between the decanter and the tank outlet when the decanter and effluent level are low. Multiple hobble apparatus options may be selected as defined herein to prevent rotational hyperextension of any of the elbow coupling pairs to assure that the pipe folds correctly.

Abstract: An enhanced primary treatment (EPT) system includes an EPT settling tank. A sludge drain discharges a sludge including BOD from the EPT settling tank and a clarified effluent discharge recovers decanted fluid from the EPT settling tank. A controller has at least one computer processor. A sludge sensor is communicatively coupled to the controller. The sludge sensor provides a sludge BOD concentration measurement, or a measurement from which the sludge BOD concentration is calculated. A process algorithm controls the sludge valve to control the discharge of the sludge by gravity or by pumping in response to data from the sludge sensor of the sludge BOD concentration. A method of controlling an enhanced primary treatment (EPT) system is also described.

Abstract: A settling tank for receiving an influent stream separated into first and second influent streams and recombined under pressure in the settling tank. The settling tank comprises first and second pipes for conveyance of the first and second influent streams to a turbulent mixing zone wherein the first and second pipes terminate in first and second longitudinally parallel manifolds, each having a plurality of longitudinally arrayed holes defining first and second hole arrays. Each of the first and second arrays is directed in opposition to the other of the first and second arrays such that influent flows from the respective holes thereof can collide to cause turbulent mixing in said turbulent mixing zone.

Abstract: A method for static mixing in a waste water settling tank to increase the percentage of recovery of entrained solids from the waste water comprising a settling tank having a hopper bottom defining a sludge hopper, a deflector dome centrally disposed within the space contained in the hopper bottom, and an inlet pipe for introduction of waste water containing second entrained solids into the settling tank and having a discharge outlet in proximity to the underside of the deflector dome. Influent waste water is directed vertically upward into the center of the deflector dome which distributes the influent radially into contact, preferably turbulent, with previously introduced waste water containing first entrained solids to cause coalescence of the first and second entrained solids to form larger particles having increased settling velocity.

Abstract: A method for static mixing in a waste water settling tank to increase the percentage of recovery of entrained solids from the waste water comprising a settling tank having a recirculation ring and a hopper bottom defining a sludge hopper, a fluid deflector centrally disposed within the space contained in the hopper bottom having a flat portion, and an inlet pipe for introduction of waste water containing second entrained solids into the settling tank and having a discharge outlet in proximity to the underside of the deflector dome and a nozzle facing downward. Influent waste water is directed vertically downward toward the flat portion and upward into the center of the fluid deflector which distributes the influent radially into contact, preferably turbulent, with previously introduced waste water containing first entrained solids to cause coalescence of the first and second entrained solids to form larger particles having increased settling velocity.

Abstract: An adaptive waste water treatment plant includes an influent intake configured to receive an influent flow from a waste water influent stream. A first settling tank is in a controllable fluid communication with the influent intake. The first settling tank includes a first decanter in fluid communication with a first effluent discharge pipe. A first effluent discharge valve is communicatively coupled to a controller. A first flow meter is in communication with the controller and adapted to measure a rate of flow through the first effluent discharge pipe. A second settling tank is similarly configured. The controller is configured to control the controllable fluid communication between the influent intake and the first settling tank and the controllable fluid communication between the influent intake the second settling tank in response to a change in a rate of influent flow.

Abstract: A waste water treatment system including primary settling tanks. The waste water treatment system includes a trough which causes waste water to flow in a direction parallel to a bar screen placed in the trough with the base of the bar screen being at a lower elevation than the trough weir. Each primary settling tank has a fine screen box for screening waste water. Each primary settling tank has a scum and floatables trough for collecting scum and floatables which pass through or over a top edge of the bar screen. The scum and floatables troughs are in fluid communication with one another. When a scum valve is open, scum, floatables and waste water in the scum and floatables trough flow from the scum and floatables trough of the first primary setting tank to the scum and floatables trough of the second primary settling tank and into a collection container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vertically adjustable screened decanter system to replace prior art stationary or pivoting effluent weirs in water clarifiers and settling basins. The screened decanter has no physical weir and relies instead on maintaining a desired flow rate by controllably varying the depth of immersion of a screened box. The decanter is periodically raised into a hood that provides spray cleaning and disinfection of the screened box. The system is capable of removing up to 85% of the BOD in a wastewater stream.

Abstract: A screen decanter for decanting liquid from a reservoir, comprising at least one rack comprising screens and baffles forming the sides of a cavity; a frame attached to the screens and baffles and providing a barrier so that liquid cannot pass from outside into the cavity without passing through the screens; a patterned perforated drain pipe inside the cavity and leading to an opening through which liquids may drain out from the cavity. The pattern of the openings counteracts the hydrostatic head within the rack such that flow through the screens is uniform at all depths of immersion in the liquid reservoir. Preferably, the screens have a porosity of about 50 micrometers.

Abstract: A screen decanter for decanting liquid from a reservoir, comprising at least one rack comprising screens and baffles forming the sides of a cavity; a frame attached to the screens and baffles and providing a barrier so that liquid cannot pass from outside into the cavity without passing through the screens; a patterned perforated drain pipe inside the cavity and leading to an opening through which liquids may drain out from the cavity. The pattern of the openings counteracts the hydrostatic head within the rack such that flow through the screens is uniform at all depths of immersion in the liquid reservoir. Preferably, the screens have a porosity of about 50 micrometers.

Abstract: A method for providing an optimized organic load to a downstream wastewater treatment process includes the steps of: providing a primary wastewater treatment plant including an organic harvester (OH) with an OH effluent output stream with temporal variation in organic content, a sludge filtrate outflow from the primary wastewater treatment plant, a valve controlled by a controller, and a sensor communicatively coupled to the controller, the sensor disposed downstream of a combined outflow line to measure an organic content of a combined outflow to the downstream wastewater treatment process; sensing the organic content of the combined outflow to the downstream wastewater treatment process; adjusting the valve controlled by the controller to maintain about a setpoint organic content concentration of the combined outflow to the downstream wastewater treatment process by supplementing the OH effluent output stream with organically rich matter from the sludge filtrate outflow.

Abstract: A system comprising method and apparatus for separating biologically-digestible materials from an influent sewage stream. The system may comprise a primary clarification tank to capture sixty percent or more of the total solids from an influent stream; a sludge classifying press (SCP) to isolate and concentrate biologically digestible materials from sludge formed in the primary clarification tank, releasing valuable organics, such as are found in corn kernels, by fracturing the protective casings; a grit capture mechanism in a chamber within the primary clarification tank and isolated from the bulk of the sludge containing biologically-degradable materials; a grit trap to remove grit from the sludge prior to classifying the sludge with the SCP; apparatus for adding thickener to the sludge after classification and prior to digestion; and automation of one or more elements of the process for separating and digesting the biologically digestible materials in an influent stream.

Abstract: A screen decanter for screening solids from waste water in a waste water treatment system comprising a drain manifold and a plurality of cylindrical cartridges mounted to the drain manifold, each of the cylindrical cartridges having an outer screen defining a cavity. Each of the cartridges includes a drain standpipe disposed within the cavity in communication with the drain manifold. Each drain standpipe includes a plurality of patterned openings arranged in at least one row along the length and partial circumference thereof and preferably comprises three rows of patterned openings, each row being disposed at a 120° rotational angle from the adjacent row of patterned openings. Each drain standpipe is disposed at a 30° rotational angle from its neighbor drain standpipe such that no row of patterned openings in any of said drain standpipes faces directly at any other row of patterned openings in any other drain standpipe.

Abstract: A system comprising method and apparatus for separating biologically-digestible materials from an influent sewage stream. The system may comprise a primary clarification tank to capture sixty percent or more of the total solids from an influent stream; a sludge classifying press (SCP) to isolate and concentrate biologically digestible materials from sludge formed in the primary clarification tank, releasing valuable organics, such as are found in corn kernels, by fracturing the protective casings; a grit capture mechanism in a chamber within the primary clarification tank and isolated from the bulk of the sludge containing biologically-degradable materials; a grit trap to remove grit from the sludge prior to classifying the sludge with the SCP; apparatus for adding thickener to the sludge after classification and prior to digestion; and automation of one or more elements of the process for separating and digesting the biologically digestible materials in an influent stream.

Abstract: The invention provides a waste water treatment system including primary settling tanks. The waste water treatment system includes a trough which causes water to flow in a direction parallel to a bar screen placed in the trough with the base of the bar screen being at a lower elevation than the trough weir. Each primary settling tank has a fine screen box for screening waste water. Each primary settling tank has a scum and floatables trough for collecting scum and floatables which pass through or over a top edge of the bar screen. The scum and floatables troughs are in fluid communication with one. When a scum valve is open, scum, floatables and water in the scum and floatables trough flows from the scum and floatables trough of the first primary setting tank to the scum and floatables trough of the second primary settling tank into a collection container.