Abstract: Cellulose filament medium for growing plant seedlings, comprising mixture of water and cellulose filaments, the cellulose filaments being at a consistency of between about 4% and 50% in the mixture. Composition of matter suitable for forming a cellulose filament medium for growing plant seedlings, comprising: mixture of water and cellulose filaments, the cellulose filaments being at a consistency of between about 28% and 35% in the mixture. Method of forming a medium for growing plant seedlings, comprising: adding a sufficient amount of water to a mixture of water and cellulose filaments, the cellulose filaments being at a consistency of between about 28% and 35% in the mixture, to lower the consistency to between about 14% to 27%. Method of growing plant seedlings comprising: implanting plant seeds in a mixture of water and cellulose filaments, the cellulose filaments being at a consistency of between about 4% and 50% in the mixture.

Abstract: Cellulose filament medium for growing plant seedlings, comprising mixture of water and cellulose filaments, the cellulose filaments being at a consistency of between about 4% and 50% in the mixture. Composition of matter suitable for forming a cellulose filament medium for growing plant seedlings, comprising: mixture of water and cellulose filaments, the cellulose filaments being at a consistency of between about 28% and 35% in the mixture. Method of forming a medium for growing plant seedlings, comprising: adding a sufficient amount of water to a mixture of water and cellulose filaments, the cellulose filaments being at a consistency of between about 28% and 35% in the mixture, to lower the consistency to between about 14% to 27%. Method of growing plant seedlings comprising: implanting plant seeds in a mixture of water and cellulose filaments, the cellulose filaments being at a consistency of between about 4% and 50% in the mixture.

Abstract: A method and system to produce treated Cellulose Filaments (CF) and CF products are provided. Feedstock comprising CF in a water solution are mixed with a debonder to produce a mixed stream. The mixed stream is filtered yielding separate filtered and filtrate streams. The filtrate stream comprises at least a portion of the debonder. The filtered stream is dried to produce treated CF. The debonder is one of an alcohol, glycol ether, ester-containing quaternary ammonium salt, amido amine quaternary ammonium salt, disubstituted amide or a mixture thereof. The filtrate stream may be recycled. The mixed stream may be washed before filtering to remove debonder. A thermoplastic polymer-treated Cellulose filament composite material is formable by associating the treated CF with a thermopolymer such as polyolefin, polyurethane (PU), polypropylene (PP), polyester (PE), polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), polyamide (PA), and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) or a mixture.

Abstract: A method and system to produce treated Cellulose Filaments (CF) and CF products are provided. Feedstock comprising CF in a water solution are mixed with a debonder to produce a mixed stream. The mixed stream is filtered yielding separate filtered and filtrate streams. The filtrate stream comprises at least a portion of the debonder. The filtered stream is dried to produce treated CF. The debonder is one of an alcohol, glycol ether, ester-containing quaternary ammonium salt, amido amine quaternary ammonium salt, disubstituted amide or a mixture thereof. The filtrate stream may be recycled. The mixed stream may be washed before filtering to remove debonder. A thermoplastic polymer-treated Cellulose filament composite material is formable by associating the treated CF with a thermopolymer such as polyolefin, polyurethane (PU), polypropylene (PP), polyester (PE), polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), polyamide (PA), and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) or a mixture.

Abstract: A system and process for drying biosolids and wherein nutrients and/or minerals are blended into partially dried biosolids. Further, the system and method compresses the mixture of biosolids and nutrients into a selected form and this is followed by completion of the drying process. In the end, a more uniform and higher value dried biosolids product is produced.

Abstract: A system and process for drying biosolids and wherein nutrients and/or minerals are blended into partially dried biosolids. Further, the system and method compresses the mixture of biosolids and nutrients into a selected form and this is followed by completion of the drying process. In the end, a more uniform and higher value dried biosolids product is produced.

Abstract: A disc filter having a controller for controlling or minimizing effluent surges is provided. The disc filter is operative to carry out a method or process for controlling the flow of effluent produced by the disc filter. The basic method entails sensing one or more process variables that are a function of the effluent, and based at least in part on the sensed process variables, the disc filter controls the flow of the effluent by implementing various control functions such as: 1) rotating the rotary filter discs of the disc filter one revolution or less without backwashing; 2) rotating the rotary filter discs more than one revolution at a relatively slow speed without backwashing; 3) rotating the rotary filter discs for one revolution or more at a relatively slow speed while backwashing; 4) rotating the rotary filter discs at a relatively high speed with or without backwashing; and 5) rotating the filter discs one revolution or more and periodically backwashing.

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: 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: 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: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a film containing nano-crystalline cellulose.

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: A membrane bioreactor system includes one or more biological reactors and one or more membrane tanks with each membrane tank having one or more membrane filters. To control membrane fouling, various process control variables are employed. First, the membrane filters are cleaned by an air scouring process where bubbles are moved upwardly adjacent the membrane filters and clean the same in the process. To control membrane fouling, a process is utilized that dynamically varies the air scouring flow rate (V) as a function of transmembrane pressure (TMP). In addition, the process entails allowing permeation to start and stop which results in a series of cycles where each cycle includes a permeation phase and a relaxation phase.

Abstract: A membrane bioreactor system includes one or more biological reactors and one or more membrane tanks with each membrane tank having one or more membrane filters. To control membrane fouling, various process control variables are employed. First, the membrane filters are cleaned by an air scouring process where bubbles are moved upwardly adjacent the membrane filters and clean the same in the process. To control membrane fouling, a process is utilized that dynamically varies the air scouring flow rate (V) as a function of transmembrane pressure (TMP). In addition, the process entails allowing permeation to start and stop which results in a series of cycles where each cycle includes a permeation phase and a relaxation phase.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment process is provided that entails both a biological or activated sludge process and a ballasted flocculation process. A first stream of wastewater is directed to a biological system for biologically treating the wastewater. The biological treatment process produces a first effluent and a first sludge. In cases where the biological system is an activated sludge process, the first sludge is recycled. A second stream of wastewater is directed to a ballasted flocculation system. The second stream of wastewater can be a stream independent of the first stream of wastewater or can be derived from the wastewater passing through the biological system. Sludge in the form of activated sludge or mixed liquor from the biological system is mixed with a second stream of wastewater in the ballasted flocculation system for the purpose of biologically treating the second stream of wastewater.

Abstract: A method and system for treating water or wastewater to remove both soluble BOD and suspended solids. The method entails a ballasted flocculation process where a flocculant and insoluble granular material is added to the water or wastewater to be treated causing solids in the water or wastewater to aggregate around the granular material to form ballasted floc particles. In a settling zone, ballasted floc particles form settled sludge and the settled sludge is separated from clarified effluent. At some point in the process, activated sludge, in the form of return activated sludge or mixed liquor, is mixed with the water or wastewater being subjected to the ballasted flocculation process. The addition of activated sludge enables the process to remove soluble BOD.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system is provided that includes first and second reactors, each operative to nitrify or denitrify wastewater contained therein. Downstream from the first and second reactors is a membrane reactor that operates under aerobic conditions and includes one or more submersed membranes for separating solids. Extending between the membrane reactor and each of the first and second reactors is a return activated sludge line with appropriate controls for permitting return activated sludge to be directed to one of the reactors at a time. To nitrify and denitrify wastewater, a wastewater influent stream is alternatively directed to the anoxic reactors which are alternatively operated under aerobic and anoxic conditions so as to nitrify or denitrify the wastewater contained therein.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for the treatment of water and wastewater. In one embodiment, a method of treating water according to the present invention includes mixing sludge and precipitant with the water to be treated, mixing ballast with the water, and separating the water into treated water and sludge. Some or all of the separated sludge may be recycled for mixing with the precipitant and water to be treated.

Abstract: A Method of treating sludge prior to dewatering by mixing with the sludge a cationic metal in the form of an iron or aluminum slat along with a cationic polymer. The addition of the iron or aluminum salt substantially reduces the amount of polymer required for acceptable dewatering, thusly significantly reducing the cost of the dewatering process. The method is enhanced by subjecting the prior digested sludge to mesophilic aeration prior to the cationic metal salt and polymer being added.

Abstract: A pathogen reduction system for a sludge treatment process that employees multiple reactors operating in a batch mode to reduce pathogen levels in the sludge while providing a continuous flow of pathogen reduced sludge to a digester. In addition, the present invention entails an efficient heat exchanger for heating and cooling the sludge being treated in the above process. In particular, the heat exchanger is of the counterflow type and includes a helical coil confined in an annular chamber for transmitting one media and wherein the helical coil is spaced so as to form another helical flow channel that is defined by the annular chamber and the helical coil itself. Consequentially, one media is directed through the helical coil while another media is directed through the flow channel that is defined in part by the helical coil.