Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for converting one or more influent streams comprising organic compounds present in an aqueous liquid stream such as wastewater and optionally inorganic carbon compounds into an effluent stream comprising short chain organic molecules in a bioreactor comprising electrodes, said method comprising: • the electrochemical oxidation of said organic compounds, thereby forming inorganic carbon compounds; and; • the electrochemical of said inorganic compound such as ammonium, ammonia and sulfides present in an aqueous liquid stream entering the bioreactor. • the bio-electrochemical reduction of said inorganic carbon compounds, thereby forming short chained organic molecules (such as methane); characterized in that said bioreactor is an anaerobic bioreactor comprising a biofilm growing on the cathodes and optionally the anodes as well as microorganism in suspension.

Abstract: Apparatus for treatment of wet organic matter to produce biogas, comprising a closed reactor (11) for anaerobic digestion of the wet organic matter. The anaerobic reactor comprises two vertical 5 tubes, a vertically arranged outer tube (14) defining a first reactor chamber (111) enveloping a vertically arranged inner tube (15) which is divided into a first region (112a) and a second region (112b) of a second reactor chamber (112) by a vertical partitioning wall (16). The first reactor chamber comprises a particle retaining unit (31) connecting the first and the second reactor chambers. The anaerobic reactor (11) exhibits a top discharge pipe (18) for gas developed in either 0 of the two reactor chambers (111, 112). A method for treatment of wet organic matter is also contemplated.

Abstract: Apparatus for treatment of wet organic matter to produce biogas, comprising a closed reactor (11) for anaerobic digestion of the wet organic matter. The anaerobic reactor comprises two vertical 5 tubes, a vertically arranged outer tube (14) defining a first reactor chamber (111) enveloping a vertically arranged inner tube (15) which is divided into a first region (112a) and a second region (112b) of a second reactor chamber (112) by a vertical partitioning wall (16). The first reactor chamber comprises a particle retaining unit (31) connecting the first and the second reactor chambers. The anaerobic reactor (11) exhibits a top discharge pipe (18) for gas developed in either 0 of the two reactor chambers (111, 112). A method for treatment of wet organic matter is also contemplated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for reducing the amount of sulphur compounds in a sulphur compounds contaminated wastewater stream, using a granular sludge treatment system (10) comprising anaerobic microorganisms, wherein the process comprises the steps of adding an aqueous nitrate solution to the wastewater stream, contacting the wastewater stream with the anaerobic microorganisms, and anoxic oxidation of at least part of the sulphur compounds in the sulphur compounds contaminated wastewater stream by the anaerobic microorganisms, resulting in a sulphur compounds depleted wastewater stream. The invention furthermore relates to such a granular sludge treatment system (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for reducing the amount of sulphur compounds in a sulphur compounds contaminated wastewater stream, using a granular sludge treatment system (10) comprising anaerobic microorganisms, wherein the process comprises the steps of adding an aqueous nitrate solution to the wastewater stream, contacting the wastewater stream with the anaerobic microorganisms, and anoxic oxidation of at least part of the sulphur compounds in the sulphur compounds contaminated wastewater stream by the anaerobic microorganisms, resulting in a sulphur compounds depleted wastewater stream. The invention furthermore relates to such a granular sludge treatment system (10).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treatment of organic material, grown for energy production or being organic waste which is slurried, suspended or dissolved in liquid, in a two-step anaerobic biochemical reactor configuration comprising recirculation between the two reactors. The organic material is fed to the first reactor where most of the hydrolysis and dissolution of the organic material takes place, resulting in formation of volatile fatty acids (VFA). Liquid material from the first reactor is transferred to the second, methanogenesis reactor where the treatment is finalized. The amount of VFA in each reactor is forced to oscillate within pre-set upper and lower limits by pulsed recirculation between the two reactors. The amount of VFA in the reactors can be controlled by varying the recirculation rate of liquid between the reactors. The pH or the conductivity in the reactors can be monitored and used for calculating and controlling the amount of VFA in both reactors.

Abstract: A non-destructive method for the early detection of the formation of orga deposits or a biofilm on the internal surface of a conduit through which a fluid passes comprises allowing the fluid to flow through a conduit, passing a light beam, e.g., IR or UV light, through the fluid and the deposits in a direction transversal to the surface thereof, detecting and measuring the transmitted portion of the light beam after it has emerged from the fluid and the deposits, conducting these measurements at least twice at a set time interval, the first time before any materials deposit, and calculating % variation absorbed light during the time interval, which value is proportional to the organic materials or biofilm deposited and a method of removing at least a portion of organic deposits or a biofilm deposited on the internal surface of a conduit through which a fluid flows comprises allowing the fluid to flow through a conduit having a deposited organic layer or biofilm, passing a light beam, e.g.