Abstract: This invention provides a sterilizing water-purifying reagent for removing muddiness of water to be treated or sterilizing the water to be treated as drinking water in fields or under drinking water shortage environment, and the sterilizing water-purifying reagent comprises an acidic additive containing as main ingredients various types of metal salts and nonmetal salts produced by dissolving vermiculite weathered from mica mineral or soil further weathered from the vermiculite in aqueous inorganic acid solution.

Abstract: An individual wastewater treatment plant 1 including an aeration piping sub-system 27, 28 and an inverted, cone-shaped clarifier 13 concentrically suspended within an outer tank 10, the clarifier being supported by a support grid of standard-type PVC plastic pipe elements, including a series of four radially disposed pipe sections 21 engaging the clarifier and supporting and positioning the aeration piping system. The aeration piping is force fitted into "U" shaped slots formed in the support grid. Two embodiments for the clarifier engagement and support sub-system are disclosed, one using a series of peripherally spaced, thin slotted, inverted "T" elements 23 (FIG. 4) and the other using radial pipe sections 30 extending through the wall of the clarifier (FIG. 6), with the latter using a side-ways "U" slot 31 to hold the aeration piping and the first embodiment using inverted "U" 26 slots formed in the bottom of additional "T" elements 25 (FIG. 3).

Abstract: A porous biomass support system in a fixed bed reactor configuration affords biodegradation of phenolic materials to a level under 20 parts per billion at an hydraulic residence time of about 15 hours with significantly less sludge formation currently possible by available methods. The porous biomass support system utilizes an open-celled foam within which is entrapped small particles of porous activated carbon and suitable microorganisms. The carbon is self-regenerative and does not have to be periodically replaced or replenished. The entire porous biomass support system can operate for extended periods of time without replacement.

Abstract: A process for the disinfection and aerobic stabilization of concentrated sewage sludge in several steps, using one or more heat-insulated containers, preferably with stirring, with the addition of an oxygen-containing gas, described wherein(a) the sludge coming in, having been concentrated to at least 2% of dry matter, is caused to reach the thermophilic temperature range of >50.degree. C., with pre-heating if required, and then solely by an aerobic degradation without supplying external heat within from 2 to 4 days,(b) the sludge is disinfected by further aerobic degradation without supplying external heat at about 50.degree. C. to 55.degree. C. for at least 20 hours or at >55.degree. C. for at least 10 hours, and(c) the sludge is stabilized to become mesophilic by way of actively cooling it down to about 25.degree. C. to 45.degree. C. and a further aerobic degradation within about 2 to 8 days, and preferably within from 3 to 5 days.

Abstract: The sewage treatment process combines physico-chemical clarification using fine material or clay particles with anaerobic digestion of a concentrated sewage. The particles are preferably magnetite. The sewage (10) is mixed with magnetite (12) having a hydroxylated surface layer in tanks (14, 16, 18, 20) in which acid, inorganic flocculant and polyelectrolyte may be added if necessary. The organic material in the sewage is adsorbed on the particles during the mixing contact and a clarified liquid effluent (28) is separated from the loaded particles in a clarifier (22). The organic material may be separated from the particles before or after treatment in an anaerobic digestion assembly (36). The particles are preferably cleansed and regenerated in a two stage countercurrent flow washing system (38, 40, 58, 60, 62) into which a dilute solution of caustic soda or lime (32) is introduced.

Abstract: A novel basic aluminum chlorosulfate, well adopted for the improved purification of aqueous media, has the formula:Al.sub.n OH.sub.m (SO.sub.4).sub.k Cl.sub.3n-m-2kand characteristic basicity, Al/Cl ratio, molecular weight and hydrodynamic diameters.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention comprise an elongated auger housing having a rotatable auger therein. Augers are provided for delivering sludge and an additive such as cement kiln dust to the intake end of the mixer housing. An auger within the mixer housing conveys the material to the discharge end of the housing, and at the same time mixes the materials together.

Abstract: An activated-sludge sewage treatment plant employs a hybrid aeration chamber comprising a primary, complete-mix section to which sewage influent and recycle sludge are introduced and treated by aeration and mixing sufficient to provide an effluent having biological oxygen demand in the range of approximately 15 to 75 parts per million, and a secondary hydraulic plug-flow section which receives the effluent. In the secondary section the effluent is treated by incrementally introducing air thereto as the same flows through the secondary section to progressively reduce the biological oxygen demand and thereby provide a final, treated effluent having a biological oxygen demand of approximately 5 parts per million.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning algae and debris from a water treatment tank includes a carriage that is mounted for movement while extending over a clean water flow channel of the treatment tank. A motor drives the carriage around the tank while a guide maintains the carriage in the proper position for cleaning. A series of brush assemblies are connected to a frame of the carriage. The brushes of these assemblies are adapted to engage and clean the weir, baffle, spillway and clear water flow channel of the tank as the carriage moves. Additionally, a directional controller automatically controls the direction of operation of the motor and hence the direction of movement of the carriage. The directional controller also includes a sensor adapted to sense any obstructions, such as a service walkway, extending across the movement path of the carriage. Upon sensing an obstruction, the direction of movement of the carriage is reversed.

Abstract: Process for the treatment of aqueous effluents from the production of epoxy resins, which effluents contain as their main impurities chlorohydrins, glycidol, isopropyl alcohol and sodium chloride, which process comprises the following steps:(a) hydrolytic treatment of the effluent under alkaline conditions, until the effluent's content of epichlorohydrin in reduced down to values of about 75 ppm, and the effluent's glycidol content is reduced to values lower than about 4,000 ppm;(b) removal of about 90% of sodium chloride from the hydrolyzed effluent; and(c) anaerobic digestion of the hydrolyzed, sodium chloride-deprived effluent, after preliminary dilution, neutralization and integration with nitrogen and phosphorus sources.The (b) step can be carried out by means of a process of concentration of the effluent, in order to cause sodium chloride to precipitate, or by submitting the same effluent to a treatment of electrodialysis.

Abstract: A process for treating wastewater containing insoluble solid waste material and soluble solid waste material including the following series of steps: (1) controlling the oxygen content of the wastewater to a level at which growth of anaerobic bacteria is substantially eliminated, (2) separating the insoluble solid waste material from the wastewater, (3) treating the soluble solid material in the wastewater with a predetermined amount of aerobic bacteria, and (4) reducing the amount of aerobic bacteria in the wastewater. The insoluble solid waste material separated from the wastewater can be burned to produce electrical energy. Apparatus for carrying out the process are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for anaerobic biological waste treatment in multiple stages wherein a relatively high strength wastewater is introduced into a first biological reactor to produce an effluent of reduced strength, the effluent is passed into a second biological reactor for reaction therein, passage of the effluent into the second biological reactor is continued until the biological solids in the second reactor enter into a negative growth phase and become relatively stable, whereupon the flow of waste through the reactors is reversed by terminating introduction of the waste into the first reactor and passing the same into the second reactor to cause microorganisms in the second reactor to enter into a positive growth phase and the solids in the first reactor to enter into a negative growth phase.

Abstract: In an orbal wastewater treatment process including a plurality of concentric, annular basins or channels having surface aeration means, wastewater and recycled activated sludge are mixed in a first channel by a combination of the surface aeration means and introducing an oxygen-containing gas such as air into the lower portion of the zone under conditions which produce a complete mix reaction and sufficient oxygen is supplied to meet the biological oxygen demands of the mixed liquor. The gas is introduced, preferably by a plurality of fine bubble membrane diffusers, in the form of fine bubbles having a diameter of less than about 4 mm. The mixed liquor is sequentially oxidized in second and third channels by a combination of surface aeration means and introducing an oxygen-containing gas into the lower portions of the channels, preferably by fine bubble membrane diffusers.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the purification of wastewaters containing biodegradable aliphatic compounds which is characterized in that these compounds are brought into contact with microorganisms capable of biodegradation immobilized by embedment in a gel-type organic polymer that does not denature the microorganisms.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for recovery of oil from oil reservoirs with assistance from microorganisms. More particularly, the present invention contemplates a method for recovering oil from a reservoir comprising increasing the population of endogenous microorganisms in said reservoir, said microorganisms having surface active properties, to a level sufficient to effect enhanced oil recovery.

Abstract: A method of removing heavy metals from aqueous solution, a composition of matter used in effecting said removal, and apparatus used in effecting said removal. One or more of the polypeptides, poly (.gamma.-glutamylcysteinyl)glycines, is immobilized on an inert material in particulate form. Upon contact with an aqueous solution containing heavy metals, the polypeptides sequester the metals, removing them from the solution. There is selectivity of poly (.gamma.-glutamylcysteinyl)glycines having a particular number of monomer repeat unit for particular metals. The polypeptides are easily regenerated by contact with a small amount of an organic acid, so that they can be used again to remove heayv metals from solution. This also results in the removal of the metals from the column in a concentrated form.

Abstract: The biological denitrification of water is improved in a decisive manner by reducing on the one hand the oxygen content of the water prior to passing it through the denitrification state and, on the other hand, by bringing the water into contact with the denitrification bacteria in a fluidized bed formed by sand the grains of which have been populated intentionally with denitrification bacteria of the species "pseudomonas fluorescens". Accordingly, the apparatus for carrying out the method comprises a stage (51) for eliminating oxygen preceding the denitrification reactor (52). If this stage is designed as a degassing stage, the reactor (52) is followed, advantageously, by a decarbonization stage (81).

Abstract: In a two-stage process for the biological degradation of complex, non-readily degradable wastewater constituents, acidification takes place in the first stage and anaerobic degradation in the presence of methanogenic organisms in the second stage. In the first stage, the wastewater is treated both with the acidogenic organisms and with dehalogenating and/or desulfonating and/or deaminating strains. In addition, highly sub-stoichiometric quantities of oxygen, based on the organic carbon load, are introduced in the first stage either directly or indirectly by addition of oxygen-yielding compounds. Both stages are advantageously operated as fluidized-bed processes using supports to immobilize the biomass.

Abstract: In a method for the treatment of sewage containing nitrites comprising the reduction of the nitrite with urea in an acid medium it is provided, to obtain end products friendly to the environment and an economic conduction of the method, that a greatly acid urea solution be supplied and circulated through a pipe reactor, and that the sewage containing nitrite to be treated should be injected into the pipe reactor. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for carrying out the method and to an examination device which is particularly suitable for the periodic determination of the nitrite content in a circulation duct.

Abstract: An improved method for scavenging dissolved oxygen from waters used to generate steam which comprises treating said waters with at least 0.3 mole of gallic acid per mole of oxygen contained in said bioler waters.An aqueous concentrate useful for treating boiler waters to scavenge oxygen therefrom which contains at least 0.3% by weight of gallic acid. This aqueous concentrate has a pH adjusted to at least 8.5.