Abstract: This is a method of filtration of a liquid comprising steps of sequential filtration of said liquid through at least one deep bed medium producing at least one first filtrate followed by at least one membrane medium filtration producing at least one second filtrate, wherein said membrane medium is at least periodically within said deep bed media Many types of deep bed and membrane media can be used. The domain of using contact clarification (direct filtration) can be expanded towards greater solids concentration. Operation and backwash, is simplified, continuous filtration becomes possible. Water can be water from natural source water, process water, wastewater, aqueous or non-aqueous suspensions, emulsions, solutions. Treatment can include mechanical interception of suspended particles, chemical, physical chemical, electrochemical, and biological processes.

Abstract: This is a method of filtration of a liquid comprising steps of sequential filtration of said liquid through at least one deep bed medium producing at least one first filtrate followed by at least one membrane medium filtration producing at least one second filtrate, wherein said membrane medium is at least periodically within said deep bed media Many types of deep bed and membrane media can be used. The domain of using contact clarification (direct filtration) can be expanded towards greater solids concentration. Operation and backwash, is simplified, continuous filtration becomes possible. Water can be water from natural source water, process water, wastewater, aqueous or non-aqueous suspensions, emulsions, solutions. Treatment can include mechanical interception of suspended particles, chemical, physical chemical, electrochemical, and biological processes.

Abstract: This is a method of waste treatment in tall reactors having with anaerobic biological stage in the lower section of the reactor and another treatment stage in the upper section of the reactor, these stages are separated by an essentially horizontal partition. Presurized digestion gases generated in the anaerobic section are collected under the partition. The process is further improved by providing a recuperable alkalinity and stripping of biologically generated carbon dioxide. so that the free carbon dioxide concentratioon in the anaerobic mixed liquor is very low and a methane-rich digestion gas is produced. Production of pressurized methane-rich digestion gas is the major benefit of the process. Ather improvements are in the controllable gaslift mixing with gases other than digestion gases, improved process performance with increasing operating temperatures due to bioheating, and improved solid-liquid separation due to the use of the distillation techniques making use of the bioheating and heat recycle.

Abstract: A method of biological waste treatment with membrane separation of biomass having at least one chemical and/or biological oxidizing step and at least one chemical and/or biological reducing step, and further comprising a step of charging at least one recuperable oxidation-reduction specie selected from transitional elements, for example, iron ions, wherein biomass generation is reduced and biomass-water separation improve.

Abstract: This is an improved impingement jet aeration having steps of airlifting water in the body of the aerator and issuing a water jet into the body of water being aerated, wherein the efficiency of these two steps is greater than the sum of these step. The process is further improved by applying oscillations to the issuing water jet and rocking to a floating version of the aerator. The floating aerator can also be moved over the body of water being aerated. This aerator can also be selfpropelled.

Abstract: This is an improved method of separation of biomass and treated wastewater after biological processes conducted with flocculent or granular sludge forming mixed liquor, wherein a step of stripping carbon dioxide formed due to degrading of stored organics and/or sludge degradation is provided thus reducing or eliminating the potential for forming microscopic bubbles of carbon dioxide in sludge particles and improving their settling. The process is further improved by providing in the mixed liquor recuperable alkaline ions, preferably calcium, which provides additional alkalinity reserve in form of calcium carbonate. Small additions of alkali metal ions further improves the process. Other advantages of the method include improved heavy metals and TDS removal, reduction in the secondary emissions of BOD, COD, and ammonia, and oxygen saturation of the treated wastewater.

Abstract: This is a method of waste treatment in tall reactors having with anaerobic biological stage in the lower section of the reactor and another treatment stage in the upper section of the reactor, these stages are separated by an essentially horizontal partition. Presurized digestion gases generated in the anaerobic section are collected under the partition. The process is further improved by providing a recuperable alkalinity and stripping of biologically generated carbon dioxide so that the free carbon dioxide concentratioon in the anaerobic mixed liquor is very low and a methane-rich digestion gas is produced. Production of presirised methane-rich digestion gas is the major benefit of the process. Ather improvements are in the controllable gaslift mixing with gases other than digestion gases, improved process performance with increasing operating temperatures due to bioheating, and improved solid-liquid separation due to the use of the distillation techniques making use of the bioheating and heat recycle.

Abstract: A method of biological treatment of wastewater laden with organics in a reactor having a biomass, the wastewater and biomass form mixed liquor, a treated wastewater, biological gases, and new biomass are generated in the reactor, biomass is separated from the treated wastewater by vaporization and condensation and is at least partially retained in the reactor, and further providing at least one step of physical-chemical treatment of said mixed liquor prior to the vaporization, whereby the free dissolved volatile gases are substantially removed from the mixed liquor and the efficiency of said biomass and wastewater separation by vaporization is improved. The main biological gases are carbon dioxide and methane.

Abstract: A method of a wastewater treatment in a system consisting of at least one acid consuming step and at least one volatile acid generating step and further comprising step of evacuating the volatile acid from that at least one step generating at least one volatile acid and step of transferring at least one volatile acid to that at least one acid consuming step.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for in-sewer wastewater treatment comprising steps of largely spontaneously growing acidogenic bacteria in sewer lines and providing methanogenic bacteria in these lines. Methanogenic bacteria can be grown using wastewater, solid, or other waste, or other organic feedstock as a substrate. Methanogenic bacteria can be cultivated at a wastewater treatment plant or at other locations in special reactors, or provided from anaerobic wastewater pretreatment plants. Digestion gases can be either vented out or collected and used.

Abstract: A system for treatment of influent materials such as wastewater, gases, solid and liquid waste, and sludges utilizes an anaerobic reactor followed by at least one sludge separator and at least one sludge conditioner. In the sludge conditioner, anaerobic and aerobic biological actions, chemical or other treatment methods are applied to produce the optimal make-up of the conditioned sludge in the system overall. Single channel or multiple channel conditioners are possible. In such a system controllable cultivation and use, and controllable conversion of constituents in said influent materials are provided. The method of controllable anaerobic treatment is illustrated as a stand-alone anaerobic treatment, coupled anaerobic/aerobic treatment, combined anaerobic/aerobic treatment, treatment of wastewater within collection networks, treatment of wastewater sludges, and treatment of gases. The aerobic reactor can be stacked on top of the anaerobic reactor, with optional gas collection above the aerobic reactor.

Abstract: A thermal method of in-situ soil treatment using a charge of combustible substrate placed within the area to be treated and combusted with the use of oxidizer resulting in solid products and generating no gases. The substrate can be a metal, such as aluminum or iron, and oxygen can be an oxidizer. Alternatively, thermite mixtures can be used. The treatment of soil constituents and pollutants can be achieved by vaporizing, pyrolyzing, incinerating, oxidizing, reducing, or vitrifying the constituents of pollutants and the soil in the zone of influence of the charge of the combustible substrate.

Abstract: A multistage biological treatment method receives material to be treated, and passes the material through multiple reactors. From each reactor some of the contents are removed and separated, and the biomass is moved into the previous stage while the material to be treated and metabolic products are moved into the succeeding stage. Thus, the predominant flow of the biomass is upstream and the predominant flow of the material to be treated in downstream. Preferably, alternate reactors are anaerobic, and alternate reactors are aerobic, so the material is alternately subjected to anaerobic, then aerobic, environments. The process can be improved by applying physical, physical-chemical, chemical, and biochemical actions to the treatment system.

Abstract: A system for wastewater and sludge treatment utilizes an anaerobic reactor to modify the wastewater and generate sludge and liquid effluent. The sludge is transferred to a conditioner wherein anaerobic, aerobic and chemical means may be utilized to cultivate the required strains of organisms and break down various pollutants. Various chemicals may be solubilized, or precipitated, or adsorbed to remove them from the waste stream. Aerobic conditioning may be used to increase the volume of sludge, and to increase the temperature of the sludge. A shell having multiple compartments can provide for the entire process by utilizing the upper portion for anaerobic reaction and the lower portion for conditioning. An aerobic reactor can be disposed centrally of the conditioning compartments. Pipes and pumps can be used to transfer components from one compartment to another, and to discharge the cleaned effluent. The sludge is further subjected to aerobic reaction and bioheating.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the electrochemical processing of materials in which the material to be processed is located within an electrolyte that is subjected to strong local electromagnetic fields in a migrational transport layer, causing strong electromagnetic and electrokinetic forces capable of effecting the chemical and physical conversions in the materials to be processed. This migrational transport layer can be induced either by creating a cementation system, applying an outside source of current to an electrode system, or a combination of both.

Abstract: The invention relates to an afterburner apparatus and an incineration system and methods of waste destruction in primary incineration combustion means and afterburner means which both preferably utilize at least two different oxidizing gases. By varying the ratio of said oxidizing gases, the amount of total oxygen and nitrogen delivered in either means can be dynamically adjusted in accordance with the process requirements. Varying the flows of at least two oxydizing gases and auxiliary fuel in both the primary incinerator and afterburner makes it possible to operate the system under fluctuating waste loading conditions, by controlling temperature, partial pressure of oxygen and heat available for the process as a function of said ratio.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for concentrating multicomponent liquid product containing volatile and nonvolatile constituents are provided, comprising mixing liquid product with liquid refrigerant gas in a freezing chamber, removing ice crystals containing entrained multicomponent liquid product from the chamber, removing the volatile constituents of the liquid product and vaporized liquid refrigerant gas from the chamber, separating the volatile constituents and vaporized refrigerant gas, recirculating the volatile constituents into the freezing chamber so as to mix with the remaining liquid product in the chamber, and removing concentrate of the liquid product from the chamber.

Abstract: A self-propelled aeration device comprising a jet-aerator mounted on floats and connected by a hinged arm to a central pile for enabling the said aerator to rotate around the pile thus mixing and aerating both the large surface and great depth of a reservoir. As the jet-aerator a weir or orifice, preferably tooth-shaped orifice, are employed. In order to reduce the obstruction of jets and the wind resistance most of the elements of the floating structure are combined in a central box. The said box is self-supporting on water so that only small balancing floats are needed in addition to the central box in order to provide the stability of the floating structure. The device has provisions for preventing icing and clogging.

Abstract: Packing for fluidized bed reactors, is improved by providing alternately inclined baffles connected directly to each other or by means for connecting the said baffles into grids located in one or several levels, the said baffles forming expanding and contracting cells in the direction of the flow. The size, spacing in grids and the angle of attack of these baffles and spacing of grids are the same throughout the reactor volume when uniform distributions of the fluidizing agent and the fluidized medium are required. Alternatively, a device of this type is improved by providing variable sizes, spacing in grids, and angle of attack of these baffles and spacing of grids when specified nonuniform distributions of the flow of the fluidizing agent and the concentrations of the fluidized media are desired for particular applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to an afterburner apparatus and an incineration system and methods of waste destruction in primary incineration combustion means and afterburner means which both preferably utilize at least two different oxidizing gases. By varying the ratio of said oxidizing gases, the amount of total oxygen and nitrogen delivered in either means can be dynamically adjusted in accordance with the process requirements. Varying the flows of at least two oxydizing gases and auxiliary fuel in both the primary incinerator and afterburner makes it possible to operate the system under fluctuating waste loading conditions, by controlling temperature, partial pressure of oxygen and heat available for the process as a function of said ratio.