Abstract: A wastewater treatment system is provided having a reactor, first and second bio media and an aeration system. The first bio medium is located proximate an inlet end of the reactor and extends vertically between a top water level and the reactor's floor. The second bio medium is located proximate an outlet end of the reactor and extends vertically between a bottom water level and the reactor's floor. The media are adapted for retaining solids within the reactor as clarified water is withdrawn after treatment. The first bio media is further adapted to act as a baffle thereby causing wastewater to flow generally uniformly into a primary reactor zone. The aeration system includes a plurality of diffusers, some of which may be located adjacent or underneath the bio media and are adapted for promoting the shaking the bio media when activated in order dislodge excessive biomass therefrom.

Abstract: An aeration system for treating liquid contained in a vessel is provided. The aeration system includes a header pipe and a plurality of lateral pipes coupled to the header pipe. The lateral pipes each have one or more tubular diffuser membranes sleeved therearound. Also provided is a coupling for sealingly joining end portions of two adjacent pipes is provided. The coupling includes two saddle sections and a deformable gasket extending between the pipes. The coupling is adapted for enabling one pipe to be removed and replaced from a series of pipes without substantially moving any adjacent pipes.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system is provided having a reactor, first and second bio media and an aeration system. The first bio medium is located proximate an inlet end of the reactor and extends vertically between a top water level and the reactor's floor. The second bio medium is located proximate an outlet end of the reactor and extends vertically between a bottom water level and the reactor's floor. The media are adapted for retaining solids within the reactor as clarified water is withdrawn after treatment. The first bio media is further adapted to act as a baffle thereby causing wastewater to flow generally uniformly into a primary reactor zone. The aeration system includes a plurality of diffusers, some of which may be located adjacent or underneath the bio media and are adapted for promoting the shaking the bio media when activated in order dislodge excessive biomass therefrom.

Abstract: A single-layer diffuser membrane constructed of first and second compounds. The first compound has structural and flexibility properties suitable for applying air to wastewater through a plurality of perforations formed through the membrane and the second compound is suitable for inhibiting fouling of the membrane. The first compound may comprise polyurethane and the second compound may comprise polytetrafluoroethylene. The concentration of the second compound within the membrane may be between about 3.0 vol. % and 20.0 vol. %. The second compound may be dispersed adjacent the perforations to inhibit fouling of the perforations. Another aspect of the present invention relates to the method for constructing the membrane. Upon the mixing of the first and second compounds, the mixed composition may be formed into a membrane through, for example, an extrusion process or a molding process. Perforations may be created either during or after the forming of the membrane.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system is provided having a reactor, first and second bio media and an aeration system. The first bio medium is located proximate an inlet end of the reactor and extends vertically between a top water level and the reactor's floor. The second bio medium is located proximate an outlet end of the reactor and extends vertically between a bottom water level and the reactor's floor. The media are adapted for retaining solids within the reactor as clarified water is withdrawn after treatment. The first bio media is further adapted to act as a baffle thereby causing wastewater to flow generally uniformly into a primary reactor zone. The aeration system includes a plurality of diffusers, some of which may be located adjacent or underneath the bio media and are adapted for promoting the shaking the bio media when activated in order dislodge excessive biomass therefrom.

Abstract: A flexible diffuser membrane used in aeration/mixing of wastewater is impregnated with biocide and treated with fluorine or another halogen gas which forms a barrier inhibiting migration of the biocide out of the membrane. Another aspect of the invention involves cleaning a diffuser membrane with a halogen and then coating the membrane with PTFE or polyurethane.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system is provided having a reactor, first and second bio media and an aeration system. The first bio medium is located proximate an inlet end of the reactor and extends vertically between a top water level and the reactor's floor. The second bio medium is located proximate an outlet end of the reactor and extends vertically between a bottom water level and the reactor's floor. The media are adapted for retaining solids within the reactor as clarified water is withdrawn after treatment. The first bio media is further adapted to act as a baffle thereby causing wastewater to flow generally uniformly into a primary reactor zone. The aeration system includes a plurality of diffusers, some of which may be located adjacent or underneath the bio media and are adapted for promoting the shaking the bio media when activated in order dislodge excessive biomass therefrom.

Abstract: An aeration system for treating liquid contained in a vessel is provided. The aeration system includes a header pipe and a plurality of lateral pipes coupled to the header pipe. The lateral pipes each have one or more tubular diffuser membranes sleeved therearound. Also provided is a coupling for sealingly joining end portions of two adjacent pipes is provided. The coupling includes two saddle sections and a deformable gasket extending between the pipes. The coupling is adapted for enabling one pipe to be removed and replaced from a series of pipes without substantially moving any adjacent pipes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for building a lagoon based advanced treatment system or upgrading an existing lagoon system for advanced treatment of wastewater. The lagoon is provided with a baffle to create a complete mix zone in which an aeration system and bioconcentration modules are installed. Biological solids are concentrated in the modules and drop through their open bottoms where the solids are recirculated and mixed by the aeration system. Once a biomass equilibrium is reached in the complete mix zone, excess solids are passed into the rest of the lagoon for standard treatment there. The complete mix zone is operated as a low rate activated sludge process with a detention time much less than for the rest of the lagoon, maintaining sufficient heat and sludge aging to effect complete biological nitrification and/or denitrification.

Abstract: A wastewater aeration system that can be pivoted upwardly to expose the treatment basin floor for removal of accumulated grit or other solids. The aeration system includes a blower and a rigid or flexible supply conduit extending into the basin to supply lateral pipes with air. The laterals normally extend horizontally along the basin floor and carry air diffusers which discharge air into the basin. A winch and cable system or other mechanism can be operated to pivot the lateral pipes and diffusers upwardly away from the basin floor so that they are out of the way of equipment used to remove grit from the floor. A vertical track may be provided along a wall of the basin to accommodate raising of the lateral pipes and diffusers out of the basin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for building a lagoon based advanced treatment system or upgrading an existing lagoon system for advanced treatment of wastewater. The lagoon is provided with a baffle to create a complete mix zone in which an aeration system and bioconcentration modules are installed. Biological solids are concentrated in the modules and drop through their open bottoms where the solids are recirculated and mixed by the aeration system. Once a biomass equilibrium is reached in the complete mix zone, excess solids are passed into the rest of the lagoon for standard treatment there. The complete mix zone is operated as a low rate activated sludge process with a detention time much less than for the rest of the lagoon, maintaining sufficient heat and sludge aging to effect complete biological nitrification and/or denitrification.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for building a lagoon based advanced treatment system or upgrading an existing lagoon system for advanced treatment of wastewater. The lagoon is provided with a baffle to create a complete mix zone in which an aeration system and bioconcentration modules are installed. Biological solids are concentrated in the modules and drop through their open bottoms where the solids are recirculated and mixed by the aeration system. Once a biomass equilibrium is reached in the complete mix zone, excess solids are passed into the rest of the lagoon for standard treatment there. The complete mix zone is operated as a low rate activated sludge process with a detention time much less than for the rest of the lagoon, maintaining sufficient heat and sludge aging to effect complete biological nitrification and/or denitrification.

Abstract: A wastewater aeration system that can be pivoted upwardly to expose the treatment basin floor for removal of accumulated grit or other solids. The aeration system includes a blower and a rigid or flexible supply conduit extending into the basin to supply lateral pipes with air. The laterals normally extend horizontally along the basin floor and carry air diffusers which discharge air into the basin. A winch and cable system or other mechanism can be operated to pivot the lateral pipes and diffusers upwardly away from the basin floor so that they are out of the way of equipment used to remove grit from the floor. A vertical track may be provided along a wall of the basin to accommodate raising of the lateral pipes and diffusers out of the basin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for building a lagoon based advanced treatment system or upgrading an existing lagoon system for advanced treatment of wastewater. The lagoon is provided with a baffle to create a complete mix zone in which an aeration system and bioconcentration modules are installed. Biological solids are concentrated in the modules and drop through their open bottoms where the solids are recirculated and mixed by the aeration system. Once a biomass equilibrium is reached in the complete mix zone, excess solids are passed into the rest of the lagoon for standard treatment there. The complete mix zone is operated as a low rate activated sludge process with a detention time much less than for the rest of the lagoon, maintaining sufficient heat and sludge aging to effect complete biological nitrification and/or denitrification.