Abstract: The invention relates to a three phase separator which comprises a compartment for the substantial separation of the gas-phase, this compartment being equipped with at least one partition which is applied for an internal gaslift circulation.

Abstract: In a process for the production and maintenance of well-adhering biomass attached to carrier particles capable of decomposing contaminants in waste water containing both well-adhering and non-adhering microorganisms wherein a granular carrier is contacted in a reaction space with a continuous stream of waste water containing both well-adhering and non-adhering microorganisms and nutrients for the growth and the maintenance of the microorganisms in an adherent layer until a sufficiently thick, well-adhering layer of microorganisms is formed and maintained on the carrier, the improvement comprising maintaining the residence time of the waste water in the reaction space lower than the reciprocal maximum growth rate of the microorganisms on carrier particles of at least 0.1 mm while generating in the reaction liquid shear forces caused by liquid motion and circulation caused by gas bubbles and washing out of the reaction space all non-adhering microorganisms.

Abstract: A single unit fluidized-bed reactor having a reaction space for purification of waste water with biomass attached to carrier particles, comprising a liquid distribution device above the bottom of the reaction space particularly suited for introduction of waste water in wide reactors to achieve uniform fluidization therein, said device consisting of a number of substantially horizontal pipes, each having in the under-surface a number of regularly distributed openings for downward introduction of the liquid, and on top of the reaction space united therewith a multifunctional separation compartment for complete separation of the gas-liquid-solids mixture leaving the reaction space and for complete return of attached biomass into the reaction space, the separation compartment being construction so as to handle treatments involving large or small gas fractions in reactors of varying width.

Abstract: In a process for the production and maintenance of well-adhering biomass attached to carrier particles capable of decomposing contaminants in waste water containing both well-adhering and non-adhering microorganisms wherein a granular carrier is contacted in a reaction space with a continuous stream of waste water containing both well-adhering and non-adhering microorganisms and nutrients for the growth and the maintenance of the microorganisms in an adherent layer until a sufficiently thick, well-adhering layer of microorganisms is formed and maintained on the carrier, the improvement comprising maintaining the residence time of the waste water in the reaction space lower than the reciprocal maximum growth rate of the microorganisms on carrier particles of at least 0.1 mm while generating in the reaction liquid shear forces caused by liquid motion and circulation caused by gas bubbles and washing out of the reaction space all non-adhering microorganisms.

Abstract: An oxidative biological purification process for waste water in a fluidized-bed reactor at a pH between 5 and 8 in the oxidation space comprising passing waste water upwards through an air-sparged oxidation space containing aerobic biomass attached to insoluble carrier particles of a size of 0.1 to 2 mm with a specific gravity of 2 to 5 g/cm.sup.3 at such a rate that space loads of COD of 4-50 kg/m.sup.3 day are achieved while continuously and completely separating purified waste water leaving the oxidation space from said attached aerobic biomass, whereby the aerobic biomass prevails to at least a very substantial extent in a state of attachment to said carrier particles, undue surplus formation of said sludge being minimized by continuous control of the residence time of the waste water to be treated in the oxidation space between the limits of 0.3 to 20 hours, and at least all attached aerobic biomass is recycled to the oxidation space by way of settling.