Abstract: A filtration module formed from a first flexible sheet having a first edge section, an opposed second edge section and an interior section, comprising engaging each portion of the first and second edge sections respectively to uncorrugated first upper and lower terminal elements. Corrugations are formed in the first upper and lower terminal elements of the first flexible sheet-terminal elements assembly, and slits are cut in the interior section of the first flexible sheet-terminal elements assembly, with the slits extending transversely to the edge sections. Each adjacent pair of slits in the interior section defines a ribbon element. One or more filtration modules may be assembled to form a filter by stacking the elements or by winding the filtration module or modules around a central core. The stacked or wound filtration modules are supported within a housing so that each ribbon element is disposed in a fully extended, fexible state.

Abstract: The ribbon-tube biofilter promotes bio-oxidation ahead of clarification in wastewater treatment and functions in hydraulic pumping, oxygenation, sparging, foam fractionation, aggregate formation, and passive thermal buffering. It is operated as single-pass or with recirculation, in series and(or) in parallel. The biofilter consists of a vertical tubular column containing a parallel array of thin plastic ribbons that form multiple, linear channels and serve as non-rigid support media for heterotrophic and autotrophic bacterial colonization. Wastewater and air (or oxygen) are passed through the column by gaslift and(or) mechanical pumping coupled with air eduction or oxygen injection upstream from the support media. Linear voids between ribbons are fixed by square mesh dimensions of base and top transverse mounting grids.