Abstract: An aquaculture system including a fish tank, a floating media bioclarifier, and a mineralization tank. The mineralization tank includes a first influent inlet for receiving sludge having a first solids concentration from the bioclarifier, an effluent outlet for returning to the bioclarifier a fluid having a second solids concentration less than the first solids concentration, and a second influent inlet configured to receive influent from the fish tank which has bypassed the bioclarifier. A hydroponic system is configured to receive effluent from the bioclarifier.

Abstract: A floating media filter including a filter housing with an influent conduit extending into the filter housing, the influent conduit having at least one outflow aperture positioned below an effluent outlet of the filter housing. A floating media is positioned in the filter housing and forms a media bed when the filter is in a filtration stage, the media bed having a lower surface and an upper surface defining a filtration zone between the lower and upper media bed surfaces during the filtration stage. A diffuser trough is positioned in the filter housing such that (i) the lower surface of the media bed, when the filter is in the filtration stage, is below an upper edge of the diffuser trough, and (ii) the outflow aperture of the influent conduit is positioned sufficiently close to a surface of the diffuser trough such that influent flow, during the filtration stage, is initially directed against and/or along the surface of the diffuser trough, and then redirected in a path into the media bed.

Abstract: A water treatment system including a media filter having a filter chamber with a volume to accommodate filter media and a sludge outlet and a charge chamber for storing air. The charge chamber is fluidly connected to the filter chamber and has: (i) an air outlet for admitting air into the filter chamber; and (ii) an air inlet. The system also includes a trigger for selectively allowing the passage of air from the charge chamber air outlet into the filter chamber upon reaching a trigger release point and a sludge concentration/storage volume having at least one wall extending upward to form an upper opening. This wall has a height substantially above the trigger release point and substantially isolates the sludge volume from the charge chamber, except for the upper opening. Finally, an inlet to the sludge volume is at a height which allows pressure within the media filter during a filtration stage to move water above the wall height and into the sludge volume.

Abstract: A floating media filter including a filter housing with an influent conduit extending into the filter housing, the influent conduit having at least one outflow aperture positioned below an effluent outlet of the filter housing. A floating media is positioned in the filter housing and forms a media bed when the filter is in a filtration stage, the media bed having a lower surface and an upper surface defining a filtration zone between the lower and upper media bed surfaces during the filtration stage. A diffuser trough is positioned in the filter housing such that (i) the lower surface of the media bed, when the filter is in the filtration stage, is below an upper edge of the diffuser trough, and (ii) the outflow aperture of the influent conduit is positioned sufficiently close to a surface of the diffuser trough such that influent flow, during the filtration stage, is initially directed against and/or along the surface of the diffuser trough, and then redirected in a path into the media bed.

Abstract: A floating media filter including a filter housing having an influent inlet and an effluent outlet. A floating media is positioned in the housing and forms a static media bed when the filter is in a filtration stage. A diffuser trough is positioned in the filter housing such that the lower surface of the media bed, when the filter is in the filtration stage, is below the upper edge of the diffuser trough. A backwashing mechanism causes dispersion of the media bed during the backwashing stage.

Abstract: A floating media filter including a filter housing having an influent inlet and an effluent outlet. A floating media is positioned in the housing and forms a static media bed when the filter is in a filtration stage. A diffuser trough is positioned in the filter housing such that the lower surface of the media bed, when the filter is in the filtration stage, is below the upper edge of the diffuser trough. A backwashing mechanism causes dispersion of the media bed during the backwashing stage.

Abstract: A floating media filter including a filter housing having an influent inlet and an effluent outlet. A floating media is positioned in the housing and forms a static media bed when the filter is in a filtration stage. A diffuser trough is positioned in the filter housing such that the lower surface of the media bed, when the filter is in the filtration stage, is below the upper edge of the diffuser trough. A backwashing mechanism causes dispersion of the media bed during the backwashing stage.

Abstract: A water treatment system including a media filter having a filter chamber with a volume to accommodate filter media and a sludge outlet and a charge chamber for storing air. The charge chamber is fluidly connected to the filter chamber and has: (i) an air outlet for admitting air into the filter chamber; and (ii) an air inlet. The system also includes a trigger for selectively allowing the passage of air from the charge chamber air outlet into the filter chamber upon reaching a trigger release point and a sludge concentration/storage volume having at least one wall extending upward to form an upper opening. This wall has a height substantially above the trigger release point and substantially isolates the sludge volume from the charge chamber, except for the upper opening. Finally, an inlet to the sludge volume is at a height which allows pressure within the media filter during a filtration stage to move water above the wall height and into the sludge volume.

Abstract: A water treatment system including a media filter having a filter chamber with a volume to accommodate filter media and a sludge outlet and a charge chamber for storing air. The charge chamber is fluidly connected to the filter chamber and has: (i) an air outlet for admitting air into the filter chamber; and (ii) an air inlet. The system also includes a trigger for selectively allowing the passage of air from the charge chamber air outlet into the filter chamber upon reaching a trigger release point and a sludge concentration/storage volume having at least one wall extending upward to form an upper opening. This wall has a height substantially above the trigger release point and substantially isolates the sludge volume from the charge chamber, except for the upper opening. Finally, an inlet to the sludge volume is at a height which allows pressure within the media filter during a filtration stage to move water above the wall height and into the sludge volume.

Abstract: A water treatment system including a media filter having a filter chamber with a volume to accommodate filter media and a sludge outlet and a charge chamber for storing air. The charge chamber is fluidly connected to the filter chamber and has: (i) an air outlet for admitting air into the filter chamber; and (ii) an air inlet. The system also includes a trigger for selectively allowing the passage of air from the charge chamber air outlet into the filter chamber upon reaching a trigger release point and a sludge concentration/storage volume having at least one wall extending upward to form an upper opening. This wall has a height substantially above the trigger release point and substantially isolates the sludge volume from the charge chamber, except for the upper opening. Finally, an inlet to the sludge volume is at a height which allows pressure within the media filter during a filtration stage to move water above the wall height and into the sludge volume.

Abstract: The present invention provides a floating media biofilter having an economical structure which allows energy efficient and water conserving backwashing of the floating media. The biofilter includes a filter chamber fluidly connected to a charge chamber which is adapted for accumulating air. A trigger device positioned between the charge chamber and filter chamber selectively allows the flow of air from said charge chamber to said filter chamber. An air source is connected to the charge chamber and slowly supplies air thereto. The backwash cycle is initiated by the trigger device allowing air to escape from the charge chamber into the filter chamber and agitate the floating media. Simultaneously, water from the filter chamber flows into the charge chamber. After the trigger device closes, air again accumulates in charge chamber in preparation for another backwash cycle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a floating media bioclarifier having an economical structure which allows energy efficient and water conserving backwashing of the floating media. The bioclarifier includes a filter chamber fluidly connected to a charge chamber which is adapted for accumulating air. A trigger device positioned between the charge chamber and filter chamber selectively allows the flow of air from said charge chamber to said filter chamber. An air source is connected to the charge chamber and slowly supplies air thereto. The backwash cycle is initiated by the trigger device allowing air to escape from the charge chamber into the filter chamber and adgitate the floating media. Simaltaneously, water from the filter chamber flows into the charge chamber. After the trigger device closes, air agains accumulate in charge chamber in preparation for another backwash cycle.

Abstract: A floating media biofilter is provided, comprising a tank having a bottom and a sidewall, the sidewall having a lower portion inwardly sloping toward the bottom. Floating media are present in the tank for forming a media pack when the tank is filled with liquid, and the media are retained by an upper screen positioned in the upper portion of the tank. An inlet line provides nonfiltered liquid to the tank from an aquaculture environment, while an outlet line above the upper screen delivers filtered liquid back to the aquaculture environment. A weir is employed between the upper screen and the outlet line to collect filtered liquid from the media pack. Backwashing is accomplished by a motorized blade system which causes the media to circulate within the tank with substantially no expansion of the media pack. The circulating media loosens filtered matter and sludge entrained therein so that the waste solids can be removed by a sludge line connected to the bottom of the tank.

Abstract: A floating media filter is provided, comprising a tank having a filtration chamber and an expansion chamber, wherein the filtration chamber is above and fluidically connected with the expansion chamber; floating filter media in the tank for forming a floating media pack, having a top portion, in the filtration chamber when the tank is filled with liquid and the filter media are undisturbed; an upper screen having openings adapted to prevent the filter media from passing therethrough, positioned in the tank near the top portion of the floating media pack; an inlet line fluidically connected to the tank below the filtration chamber; a sludge line having an output end, fluidically connected to the tank below the lower screen; a sludge valve, positioned in the sludge line; an outlet line fluidically connected to the tank above the upper screen; a lower screen having openings adapted to prevent the filter media from passing therethrough, positioned in the tank below the filter media and above the sludge line; and

Abstract: A biofilter is provided, including a tank, having a bottom, a top and a sidewall having a lower portion which is inwardly sloping toward the bottom; floating filter media in the tank, the media forming a floating media pack when the tank is filled with liquid and the media are undisturbed, the media pack having a bottom and a top; a screen having openings adapted to prevent the floating filter media from passing therethrough, positioned in the tank between the bottom of the tank and the top of the tank; an agitator having a blade, the agitator being attached to the tank and adapted such that the blade is at least partially imbedded in the media pack when the tank is filled with liquid; an inlet line fluidly connected to the tank below the screen; a sludge drain line fluidly connected to the lower portion tank below the screen; a sludge valve, positioned in the sludge drain line; and an outlet line fluidly connected to the tank above the screen.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the automatic farming f softshell aquatic crustaceans, e.g., crabs and crayfish. The method and apparatus utilize the inability of molted crustaceans to achieve self-mobility in the presence of a fluid flow of a certain velocity.