Abstract: A liquid flow distributor for dispersing wastewater or other liquid carrying stringy solids throughout a particulate media such as in a fluidized bed reactor. The distributor is adapted to allow unimpeded forward flow of the liquid into the media and it also functions to minimize backflow of the media into the distributor should forward flow be arrested. The distributor includes an array of like nozzles, each having an inlet port leading into a conical flow expansion section whose cone angle is such that the nozzle capable of flowing full without significance turbulence, the mouth of the flow expansion section merging with a cylindrical outlet section whose dimensions are such that any backflow which takes place when forward flow is arrested will normally be insufficient to lift the bed particles into the nozzle.

Abstract: A control system to prevent the accumulation of excessive cellular material in a fluidized-bed reactor wherein a waste liquid to be processed is conducted upwardly at a velocity conducive to fluidization through a bed of particles which function as a carrier for the growth of the material. The system includes a separator column whose low end section extends toward the fluidized bed and whose high end section extends above a head of liquid effluent which lies on the bed, or is sealed and located below the surface of liquid effluent, the diameter of the high end section being greater than that of the low end section. In the course of reactor operation, the cellular material on the particles continues to grow, causing the bed to expand until its level reaches a point indicative of excessive growth.

Abstract: A biological process for removing biochemical oxygen demand from waste water by forming a fluidized bed of microorganisms attached to a solid particulate carrier, continuously passing waste water to be treated through said fluidized bed, retaining the waste water in the fluidized bed for a sufficient period of time while controlling other necessary parameters to biologically convert substantially all of the biochemical oxygen demand to be removed from the waste water to methane gas, carbon dioxide and cellular material, and thence withdrawing the biologically converted products. In one form of the invention nitrified effluent is added to the waste water and the mixture is biologically converted to methane gas, carbon dioxide, nitrogen gas and cellular material.

Abstract: A control system to prevent the accumulation of excessive cellular material in a fluidized-bed reactor wherein waste water or other liquid to be processed is conducted upwardly at a velocity conducive to fluidization through a bed of particles which function as a carrier for the growth of the material. Included in the system is a separator column whose low end extends toward the fluidized bed and whose high end extends toward a head of liquid effluent which lies on the bed. In the course of reactor operation, the cellular material on the particles continues to grow, causing the bed to expand until its level reaches an alarm point indicative of excessive growth. This point is sensed to activate an agitator arrangement which effects shearing of the excess cellular material from the particles to produce in the separator column a mixture of sheared material and partially stripped carrier particles.

Abstract: A gas transfer system adapted to dissolve a gas or other compressible fluid in a relatively non-compressible liquid such as waste water with a minimum expenditure of energy. The system makes use of a drum divided by radial vanes into liquid chambers. Rotation of the vanes causes the chambers to rotate about the central axis of the drum whereby in the course of every operating cycle, each chamber is brought into operative relation with the respective interfaces of an inflow station, a gas transfer station and an outflow station. At the inflow station, raw liquid to be treated is fed into the chamber then in operative relationship therewith to produce a liquid batch therein. Concurrently, at the transfer station another batch of raw liquid in the chamber then in operative relation therewith is subjected to pressurized gas to effect the absorption of the gas by the liquid.

Abstract: A biological process for removing ammonia nitrogen from waste water by forming a fluidized bed of microorganisms attached to a solid particulate carrier, continuously passing waste water to be treated through said fluidized bed, adding oxygen to said fluidized bed, retaining the waste water in the fluidized bed for a sufficient period of time while controlling other necessary parameters to biologically convert substantially all of the ammonia nitrogen to be removed from the waste water to oxidized forms of nitrogen, water and cellular material, and thence withdrawing the biologically converted products from the fluidized bed. In another form of the invention apparatus is provided for effecting the foregoing process.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for removing organic carbon from waste water to reduce biochemical oxygen demand by generating a fluidized bed formed from biota attached to a solid particulate carrier and waste water, providing enough oxygen to allow the biota to reduce the biochemical oxygen demand of the waste water passing therethrough and then mechanically removing excess bacterial growth formed on the carrier during the process.

Abstract: Process for removing organic carbon from waste water to reduce biochemical oxygen demand by generating a fluidized bed formed from biota attached to a solid particulate carrier and waste water, providing enough oxygen to allow the biota to reduce the biochemical oxygen demand of the waste water passing therethrough and then mechanically removing excess bacterial growth formed on the carrier during the process.

Abstract: An apparatus for denitrifying waste water including means for: generating a fluidized bed containing denitrifying biota on a particulate carrier, metering a carbon source into the waste water and mechanically removing excess bacterial growth from the carrier at predetermined intervals.