Abstract: A process and apparatus for the treatment of aqueous waste materials or effluents, particularly the aqueous waste materials of bottling plants and installations, in which a trickling element is employed for the basic rough processing to effect the removal of biological oxygen demand (BOD). The discharge stream of effluent from the trickling element is conveyed into an oxidation-reaction tank, providing for the chemical oxidation of light organic floc resulting from biological action in the trickling element and further BOD reduction, and for the oxidation of any biomass sloughing off the media in the trickling element. The treated waste material or effluent discharge emanating from the oxidation-reaction tank is conducted through a mixing tank which is adapted to simultaneously receive the final rinse waste effluent from the bottling plant, and to intermix the two effluents and subject these to further oxidation treatment through the intermediary of admixing air therewith.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the treatment of the aqueous backwash effluent resulting from a backwashing operation of an industrial filter. During the backwashing operation, particulate matter and solids are dislodged from the industrial filter so as to be entrained in the backwash effluent, and the effluent is passed through a backwash filter to remove these materials. After passing through the backwash filter, the normally water-based backwash solution is directed to a holding tank for storage until a subsequent backwashing operation is required. The pH value and chlorination level of the backwash solution are periodically adjusted to maintain them within selected ranges in order to optimize the sanitizing effect of the solution during the backwashing operation. The process and apparatus results in the consumption of a much smaller quantity of water than prior arrangements wherein a singleuse backwash solution is dumped into the general effluent discharge of the plant.