Abstract: A method for lifting liquids with airlift consisting of a lift pipe having a suction port, a discharge port, and an air feed including steps of (a) feeding air into the lift pipe, (b) sucking liquid in the suction port, (c) discharging liquid and air at the discharge port, and (d) inducing rotational motion of liquid at the discharge port, whereby the efficiency of said airlift is increased and splashing and heisering are eliminated. An airlift apparatus with means for inducing rotational motion at the discharge port is also provided. The means for inducing rotations can be an inclined flat or curvilinear baffle.

Abstract: A method for fluidization of a particulate bed material in a fluidized bed reactor with an upflow of fliud being treated, wherein a step of recycling said treated fluid is provided and further comprising the steps of (a) uniformly collecting at least a portion of the fluid above the fluidized bed and lifting this fluid by at least one gaslift having an intake above the bed, and (b) recycling the lifted fluid under the bed via at least one downcomer positioned within the bed. An generic apparatus for conducting the method steps in a variety of applications is also provided. The fluidized bed reactor can be used for chemical, physical chemical, biological processes, and combinations thereof in the chemical processing, food, environmental and other industries.

Abstract: This is an oxidation-reduction treatment of wastewater with biomass, comprising (a) a step of charging in the said system a recuperable oxidation-reduction mediator specie (metallic ions, metal containing species, oxyions with variable oxidation-reduction states, redox ion exchange materials, and combinations thereof), (b) a step of oxidizing terminal reducing agents with participation of the said recuperable oxidation-reduction mediator species (nitrification treatment, anoxic treatment, denitrification treatment, facultative anaerobic treatment, sulfate reduction, carbonate reduction, sludge conditioning, biomass oxidation treatment, and combinations thereof), (c) a step of reducing primary oxidizing agents with participation of the said recuperable oxidation-reduction mediator species (oxygen enriched treatment, aerobic treatment, nitrification treatment, anoxic treatment, denitrification treatment, facultative anaerobic treatment, and combinations thereof), (d) a step of retaining the said recuperable oxi

Abstract: This is a method of treatment of materials with the use of a sacrificial metal and reducible ions which comprises steps ofa) contacting the material to be treated with the surface of the said sacrificial metal, wherein the said material to be treated is included in an aqueous solution or emulsion or suspension; andb) inducing treatment processes at the surface of the said sacrificial metal by providing said reducible ions included in an electrolyte, wherein the said reducible ions react with the said sacrificial metal to form oxidation-reduction products comprising dissolved or suspended reduced species and dissolved or suspended species from oxidizing the said sacrificial metal.The method can be used for treatment of water, groundwater, including in-situ, wastewater, polluted gases, solid waste, and other materials.

Abstract: A method of biological treatment of materials by a combination of at least two groups of microorganisms forming sludges in at least two biological treatment zones treating the said materials wherein for purposes of increasing the treatment efficiency and stability at least one said sludges is conditioned in at least one sludge conditioning zone, whereby converting at least a fraction of at least one said group of organisms into organisms of another group, and thus forming the conditioned sludge, and the said conditioned sludge is fed in at least one said biological treatment zone.

Abstract: A method of controlling wastewater treatment in multi step system comprising at least one anaerobic step and at least one carbon dioxide stripping step by a combination of(1) recuperable abiotic species and carbon dioxide stripping, wherein the recuperable species can be metal ions such as calcium and iron, the said species are charged in the treatment system and form soluble carbonates maintaining the carbonic acid equilibrium and pH in anaerobic process steps and recuperated and retained in the system as insoluble carbonates or hydroxides formed in the carbon dioxide stripping step, and(2) conditioning the sludge by cultivating methanogens in the sludge in a dedicated process zone called sludge conditioner, and recycling the conditioned sludge in the reactor, wherein the volatile fatty acids are rapidly consumed by thus provided methanogens.Dramatic reduction in reagent requirements for pH and other purposes is achieved.

Abstract: A lamellar separator for clarification of aqueous influents comprising a primary clarification section provided with inclined co-current lamellas fed by the said aqueous influents at the upper ends of the said lamellas and discharging streams of concentrated solids and streams of clarified liquid at the lower end of the said lamellas, and an interception section attached to and being in hydraulic communication with the said primary clarification section at the lower ends of the said lamellas, the said interception section housing at least one interception means, whereby the said streams of concentrated solids are combined into a flow of concentrated solids and the said streams of clarified liquid are combined into a flow of clarified liquid, and the said flow of concentrated solids and the said flow of clarified liquid are evacuated from the said lamellar separator without intermixing.