Abstract: A system is provided for treating contaminated water. The system includes a bioreactor having an outlet for treated water and a filter coupled to receive treated water from the outlet of the bioreactor. The filter is configured to operate in an anoxic mode. The filter has: (a) a vessel configured to receive the treated water, (b) a membrane associated with the vessel and positioned to extract permeate from the received water, (c) a fluid outlet positioned to direct fluid toward the membrane to inhibit film build up on the membrane, (d) a fluid recirculator positioned to recirculate fluid between the vessel and the fluid outlet, and (e) an oxidant supply positioned to introduce an oxidant into the vessel, the oxidant supply being adjustable to control the oxidation-reduction potential of the received water in the vessel within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A system is provided for treating contaminated water. The system includes a bioreactor having an outlet for treated water and a filter coupled to receive treated water from the outlet of the bioreactor. The filter is configured to operate in an anoxic mode. The filter has: (a) a vessel configured to receive the treated water, (b) a membrane associated with the vessel and positioned to extract permeate from the received water, (c) a fluid outlet positioned to direct fluid toward the membrane to inhibit film build up on the membrane, (d) a fluid recirculator positioned to recirculate fluid between the vessel and the fluid outlet, and (e) an oxidant supply positioned to introduce an oxidant into the vessel, the oxidant supply being adjustable to control the oxidation-reduction potential of the received water in the vessel within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A system is provided for treating contaminated water. The system includes a bioreactor having an outlet for treated water and a filter coupled to receive treated water from the outlet of the bioreactor. The filter is configured to operate in an anoxic mode. The filter has: (a) a vessel configured to receive the treated water, (b) a membrane associated with the vessel and positioned to extract permeate from the received water, (c) a fluid outlet positioned to direct fluid toward the membrane to inhibit film build up on the membrane, (d) a fluid recirculator positioned to recirculate fluid between the vessel and the fluid outlet, and (e) an oxidant supply positioned to introduce an oxidant into the vessel, the oxidant supply being adjustable to control the oxidation-reduction potential of the received water in the vessel within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A system is provided for treating contaminated water. The system includes a bioreactor having an outlet for treated water and a filter coupled to receive treated water from the outlet of the bioreactor. The filter is configured to operate in an anoxic mode. The filter has: (a) a vessel configured to receive the treated water, (b) a membrane associated with the vessel and positioned to extract permeate from the received water, (c) a fluid outlet positioned to direct fluid toward the membrane to inhibit film build up on the membrane, (d) a fluid recirculator positioned to recirculate fluid between the vessel and the fluid outlet, and (e) an oxidant supply positioned to introduce an oxidant into the vessel, the oxidant supply being adjustable to control the oxidation-reduction potential of the received water in the vessel within a predetermined range.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for removing perchlorate from water. The systems comprise reactors comprising biomass for degrading perchlorate, and the operation of the systems can be controlled according to novel logic specifications. Also provided are filters and filtration systems for clearing water in advance of analysis of the concentration of contaminants within the water. The filters comprise a length of tubing configured to generate backpressure at the filter sufficient to facilitate the flow of a water sample through the filter without overpressurization.

Abstract: A fluidized bed reactor configured for reduced backflow of fluid is provided. The fluidized bed reactor comprises a vessel configured to contain a level of fluid, a feed conduit positioned to deliver feed into the vessel from an elevation above the level of fluid and a vacuum relief valve coupled to said feed conduit to introduce gas into the feed conduit.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for removing perchlorate from water. The systems comprise reactors comprising biomass for degrading perchlorate, and the operation of the systems can be controlled according to novel logic specifications. Also provided are filters and filtration systems for clearing water in advance of analysis of the concentration of contaminants within the water. The filters comprise a length of tubing configured to generate backpressure at the filter sufficient to facilitate the flow of a water sample through the filter without overpressurization.

Abstract: A system is provided for separating biomass from media in a fluidized bed reactor containing an aqueous suspension of biomass and media. A lift, configured to extend within the reactor, has an inlet for receiving aqueous suspension and an outlet spaced from the inlet for delivering the aqueous suspension from the lift. A shield is disposed about the lift. The system further includes a biomass separator body, including an inner member disposed about the shield and an outer member. Three annular passageways are defined between the lift, the shield, the inner member, and the outer member, and are positioned to receive aqueous suspension from each other. A barrier extends between the inner member and the outer member at an end portion of the third annular passageway. The barrier of the biomass separator body is configured to direct biomass from the third annular passageway toward an excess biomass discharge.

Abstract: A system is provided for separating biomass from media in a fluidized bed reactor containing an aqueous suspension of biomass and media. A lift, configured to extend within the reactor, has an inlet for receiving aqueous suspension and an outlet spaced from the inlet for delivering the aqueous suspension from the lift. A shield is disposed about the lift. The system further includes a biomass separator body, including an inner member disposed about the shield and an outer member. Three annular passageways are defined between the lift, the shield, the inner member, and the outer member, and are positioned to receive aqueous suspension from each other. A barrier extends between the inner member and the outer member at an end portion of the third annular passageway. The barrier of the biomass separator body is configured to direct biomass from the third annular passageway toward an excess biomass discharge.

Abstract: A system and method for biological regeneration of ion exchange and absorptive media including a vessel configured to contain a bed of contaminated media particles. The vessel includes a first region configured to receive biological regenerating fluid for contacting media particles in the first region at a first volumetric flowrate sufficient to produce a shear force high enough to reduce bio-film thickness on the media particles; a second region configured to receive a portion of biological regenerating fluid from the first region, wherein the portion of biological regenerating fluid in said second region has a second volumetric flowrate lower than the first volumetric flowrate; and a third region configured to receive another portion of biological regenerating fluid from the first region, wherein the another portion of biological regenerating fluid in the third region has a third volumetric flowrate lower than the second volumetric flowrate.

Abstract: A fluidized bed reactor configured for reduced backflow of fluid is provided. The fluidized bed reactor comprises a vessel configured to contain a level of fluid, a feed conduit positioned to deliver feed into the vessel from an elevation above the level of fluid and a vacuum relief valve coupled to said feed conduit to introduce gas into the feed conduit.

Abstract: A two-stage oxygenation system for use with a fluidized bed reactor is provided. The oxygenation system includes an oxygenation vessel coupled to receive oxygen from a source of oxygen, and a separator vessel coupled to receive feed from a source of feed. The separator vessel is coupled to receive recovered oxygen from the oxygenation vessel and recycle from the fluidized bed reactor. The oxygenation vessel is coupled to receive feed and recycle from the separator and to discharge oxygenated feed and recycle for delivery to the fluidized bed reactor and the recovered oxygen for delivery to the separator vessel.

Abstract: A system is provided for separating biomass from media in a fluidized bed reactor containing an aqueous suspension of biomass and media. A lift, configured to extend within the reactor, has an inlet for receiving aqueous suspension and an outlet spaced from the inlet for delivering the aqueous suspension from the lift. A shield is disposed about the lift. The system further includes a biomass separator body, including an inner member disposed about the shield and an outer member. Three annular passageways are defined between the lift, the shield, the inner member, and the outer member, and are positioned to receive aqueous suspension from each other. A barrier extends between the inner member and the outer member at an end portion of the third annular passageway. The barrier of the biomass separator body is configured to direct biomass from the third annular passageway toward an excess biomass discharge.

Abstract: A bioreactor configured to contain an aqueous suspension of biomass and media is provided. The invention includes a lift tube disposed within the vessel, the lift tube having an inlet disposed at the bottom region of the vessel and an outlet disposed at the top region of the vessel. Disposed at the bottom of the lift tube is a gas inlet positioned to feed gas into the lift tube at a location proximal to the inlet of the lift tube. An adjustable weir is disposed proximal to the outlet of the lift tube, the weir being adjustable between a lower position and a higher position. Biomass is removed from the weir and the weir height is adjustable to control the removal of biomass from the vessel. Also included as a part of the invention is a method for controlling the removal of biomass from a bioreactor as described.

Abstract: A bioreactor system having improved temperature control wherein heat is directly removed from the bioreactor liquid to maintain temperature balance in the bioreactor. The present invention also relates to a method for maintaining a desired temperature range of thermophilic and mesophilic bioreactors wherein ambient air is brought into direct contact with droplets of bioreactor liquid. Heat is transferred from the droplets of bioreactor liquid to the air, which is then evacuated from the bioreactor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bioreactor comprising a vessel having a bottom region and an interior configured to contain an aqueous suspension of biomass and media. A first gas outlet is provided at the bottom region of the vessel. The first gas outlet is positioned to introduce a first stream of gas to promote growth of the biomass on the media. A lift tube is disposed within the vessel, the lift tube having an inlet disposed at the bottom region of the vessel. A second gas outlet is disposed proximal the lift tube inlet to feed gas to the inlet of the lift tube.

Abstract: A system is provided for separating biomass from media in a fluidized bed reactor containing an aqueous suspension of biomass and media. A lift, configured to extend within the reactor, has an inlet for receiving aqueous suspension and an outlet spaced from the inlet for delivering the aqueous suspension from the lift. A shield is disposed about the lift. The system further includes a biomass separator body, including an inner member disposed about the shield and an outer member. Three annular passageways are defined between the lift, the shield, the inner member, and the outer member, and are positioned to receive aqueous suspension from each other. A barrier extends between the inner member and the outer member at an end portion of the third annular passageway. The barrier of the biomass separator body is configured to direct biomass from the third annular passageway toward an excess biomass discharge.

Abstract: A bioreactor configured to contain an aqueous suspension of biomass and media is provided. The invention includes a lift tube disposed within the vessel, the lift tube having an inlet disposed at the bottom region of the vessel and an outlet disposed at the top region of the vessel. Disposed at the bottom of the lift tube is a gas inlet positioned to feed gas into the lift tube at a location proximal to the inlet of the lift tube. An adjustable weir is disposed proximal to the outlet of the lift tube, the weir being adjustable between a lower position and a higher position. Biomass is removed from the weir and the weir height is adjustable to control the removal of biomass from the vessel. Also included as a part of the invention is a method for controlling the removal of biomass from a bioreactor as described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bioreactor comprising a vessel having a bottom region and an interior configured to contain an aqueous suspension of biomass and media. A first gas outlet is provided at the bottom region of the vessel. The first gas outlet is positioned to introduce a first stream of gas to promote growth of the biomass on the media. A lift tube is disposed within the vessel, the lift tube having an inlet disposed at the bottom region of the vessel. A second gas outlet is disposed proximal the lift tube inlet to feed gas to the inlet of the lift tube.

Abstract: A reaction chamber is adapted to contain a fluidized bed having a slurry of liquid, media and biomass. A lift and motive fluid are provided to urge slurry from the reaction chamber through a passage from a slurry inlet to a slurry discharge. The height of the slurry inlet is adjustable with respect to the bottom of the reaction chamber to help control the fluidized bed.