Abstract: An algae production reactor system according to the invention comprises a reactor vessel which is provided with: —one or more liquid inlets and one or more liquid outlets; —one or more gas inlets at the bottom, said gas inlets being connected with a source of carbon dioxide, and one or more gas outlets at the top of the vessel; —vertically interspaced and joined pairs of double glass plates which are at least partially submerged in the reactor liquid, said double glass plates having a layer of light-scattering particles in between and having a flat side being exposed to a light source; and —means for vertically circulating reactor liquid.

Abstract: A process for removing sulphide from an aqueous solution comprising sulphide is disclosed, in which the aqueous solution is subjected to sulphide-oxidizing bacteria in the presence of oxygen in a reactor to oxidize sulphide to elemental sulphur. According to the process, a molecular-oxygen containing gas is supplied to a reactor containing the sulphide-oxidizing bacteria in an aqueous medium, such that one or more aerated zones and one or more non-aerated zones are created in the aqueous medium with upward liquid flow in the aerated zones and downward liquid flow in the non-aerated zones; and a feed stream of the aqueous solution comprising sulphide is injected into the reactor in the one or more non-aerated zones, wherein the one or more aerated zone(s) are not separated from the one or more non-aerated zone(s) by means of vertically extending reactor internal.

Abstract: An algae production reactor system according to the invention comprises a reactor vessel which is provided with:—one or more liquid inlets and one or more liquid outlets;—one or more gas inlets at the bottom, said gas inlets being connected with a source of carbon dioxide, and one or more gas outlets at the top of the vessel;—vertically interspaced and joined pairs of double glass plates which are at least partially submerged in the reactor liquid, said double glass plates having a layer of light-scattering particles in between and having a flat side being exposed to a light source; and—means for vertically circulating reactor liquid.

Abstract: An algae production reactor system comprising a reactor vessel which is disclosed. The system comprises (a) one or more liquid inlets and one or more liquid outlets; (b) one or more gas inlets at the bottom, the gas inlets being connected with a source of carbon dioxide, and one or more gas outlets at the top of the vessel; and (c) vertically interspaced and joined pairs of double glass plates which are at least partially submerged in the reactor liquid, the double glass plates having a layer of light-scattering particles in between and having a flat side being exposed to a light source, wherein part of the spaces between the double glass plates is arranged above the gas inlets for vertically circulating reactor liquid.

Abstract: A process for removing sulphide from an aqueous solution comprising sulphide is disclosed, in which the aqueous solution is subjected to sulphide-oxidising bacteria in the presence of oxygen in a reactor to oxidise sulphide to elemental sulphur. According to the process, a molecular-oxygen containing gas is supplied to a reactor containing the sulphide-oxidising bacteria in an aqueous medium, such that one or more aerated zones and one or more non-aerated zones are created in the aqueous medium with upward liquid flow in the aerated zones and downward liquid flow in the non-aerated zones; and a feed stream of the aqueous solution comprising sulphide is injected into the reactor in the one or more non-aerated zones, wherein the one or more aerated zone(s) are not separated from the one or more non-aerated zone(s) by means of vertically extending reactor internal.

Abstract: An algae production reactor system according to the invention comprises a reactor vessel which is provided with:—one or more liquid inlets and one or more liquid outlets;—one or more gas inlets at the bottom, said gas inlets being connected with a source of carbon dioxide, and one or more gas outlets at the top of the vessel;—vertically interspaced and joined pairs of double glass plates which are at least partially submerged in the reactor liquid, said double glass plates having a layer of light-scattering particles in between and having a flat side being exposed to a light source; and—means for vertically circulating reactor liquid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bioreactor (1) comprising a reactor vessel (41) having a mixing chamber (3) separated by a partition (44) from a reaction chamber (2) located generally above the mixing chamber (3), the mixing chamber (3) having an inlet system (4) for influent or a mixture of influent and recycled material, wherein the inlet system (4) has an outlet opening (60-64) in the mixing chamber (3). In an embodiment the partition (44) has an opening (66) forming a connection between the mixing chamber (3) and the reaction chamber (2), wherein the outlet opening (60-64) of the inlet system (4) is directed at the opening in the partition. In an embodiment the mixing chamber (3) has a skeleton for reinforcing the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A three phase separator or settling device (2) or a digester (1) including the settling device. The settling device can receive a fluid containing liquid, gas and particulate material. The settling device includes a settling chamber to be filled with this fluid. The device can also include a liquid-discharge (5) for discharging liquid from the settling chamber and fitted close to the liquid level (30), a fluid inlet (6) for supplying the fluid into the settling chamber (3), a particulate material separation device (7) and a sludge outlet (8). A flow of fluid is provided into and out of the settling device and settling chamber. The inlet includes a gas separation device (4) for separating gas from the fluid including channels, the inlet positioned close to the fluid level. The inlet and transition (75) into the settling chamber is arranged to create a pre-separated flow pattern including a generally laminar liquid flow.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bioreactor (1) comprising a reactor vessel (41) having a mixing chamber (3) separated by a partition (44) from a reaction chamber (2) located generally above the mixing chamber (3), the mixing chamber (3) having an inlet system (4) for influent or a mixture of influent and recycled material, wherein the inlet system (4) has an outlet opening (60-64) in the mixing chamber (3). In an embodiment the partition (44) has an opening (66) forming a connection between the mixing chamber (3) and the reaction chamber (2), wherein the outlet opening (60-64) of the inlet system (4) is directed at the opening in the partition. In an embodiment the mixing chamber (3) has a skeleton for reinforcing the mixing chamber.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the filtration of a bioreactor liquid (10) from a bioreactor (1) with a cross-flow membrane module (20) comprising one or more membranes (40). The method comprises feeding part of the bioreactor liquid (10) to a liquid inlet (21) of the cross-flow membrane module (20), transporting the bioreactor liquid (10) through the cross-flow membrane module (20) in a cross-flow mode, and removing a retentate (12) from a liquid outlet (22) of the cross-flow membrane module (20). The cross-flow membrane module (20) is arranged to allow a liquid downward flow of the bioreactor liquid (10) through the cross-flow membrane module (20). The method further comprises providing the liquid downward flow and a downward gas flow of a gas (30) through the cross-flow membrane module (20). Fouling of the membranes is relatively good prevented or reduced in time. Further, the liquid flow may be reduced relative to conventional configurations.

Abstract: A three phase separator or settling device (2) or a digester (1) including the settling device. The settling device can receive a fluid containing liquid, gas and particulate material. The settling device includes a settling chamber to be filled with this fluid. The device can also include a liquid-discharge (5) for discharging liquid from the settling chamber and fitted close to the liquid level (30), a fluid inlet (6) for supplying the fluid into the settling chamber (3), a particulate material separation device (7) and a sludge outlet (8). A flow of fluid is provided into and out of the settling device and settling chamber. The inlet includes a gas separation device (4) for separating gas from the fluid including channels, the inlet positioned close to the fluid level. The inlet and transition (75) into the settling chamber is arranged to create a pre-separated flow pattern including a generally laminar liquid flow.

Abstract: The invention relates to an anaerobic purification device for purification of influent. The device has a reactor tank, an inlet for introducing influent into the tank, a water collecting device for collecting purified water, a gas collecting system for collecting gas from the fluid contained in the reactor, a gas-liquid separation device, a riser for passing liquid into the separation device by gas lifting action caused by gas collected in the gas collecting system, and a downer for returning liquid and sludge from the separation device into the lower tank section. According to the invention this device is characterized in that it is arranged to define, in the downer at the level of the liquid surface, a head pressure of, at least, approximately 1.4 m water column (approximately 0.14 bar). The invention also relates to a method for anaerobic purification device for purification of influent.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the anaerobic purification of slurry which contains organic constituents. Slurry which is to be treated is fed periodically or continuously to a mixture-filled, substantially closed reactor (2), while the slurry is forcibly mixed with mixture (3) from the reactor. The mixture in the reactor is subjected to upward flow through it and to a hydrolysis process. The mixture is subjected to floatation by injection of a low-oxygen gas, such as biogas which originates from the reactor, and the floating layer of solids which is formed in the process is returned to the mixture in the reactor, while the low-particle liquid which is formed in the process is discharged as effluent.

Abstract: A three-phase separator for separating off from a fluid gas and particles contained therein, includes at least one pair of two gas collection caps extending in a horizontal longitudinal direction (L) and each having a plate section. The plate sections converge in the downward direction. At the bottom ends the plate sections leave an inlet passage, elongated in the longitudinal direction, for the fluid containing particles and an outlet passage, elongated in the longitudinal direction, for settled particles. A discharge opening for fluid, opening into the settling chamber, is provided at a level higher than the inlet and outlet passages. The inlet passage and the outlet passage are located in the extension of one another, viewed in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the anaerobic purification of slurry which contains organic constituents. Slurry which is to be treated is fed periodically or continuously to a mixture-filled, substantially closed reactor (2), while the slurry is forcibly mixed with mixture (3) from the reactor. The mixture in the reactor is subjected to upward flow through it and to a hydrolysis process. The mixture is subjected to floatation by injection of a low-oxygen gas, such as biogas which originates from the reactor, and the floating layer of solids which is formed in the process is returned to the mixture in the reactor, while the low-particle liquid which is formed in the process is discharged as effluent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a three-phase separator (33) for separating off from a fluid gas and particles contained therein, comprising at least one pair of two gas collection caps (1, 2) extending in a horizontal longitudinal direction (L) and each having a plate section (3, 4). The plate sections converge in the downward direction. At the bottom ends the plate sections leave an inlet passage (7), elongated in the longitudinal direction, for the fluid containing particles and an outlet passage (8), elongated in the longitudinal direction, for settled particles. A discharge opening (9) for fluid, opening into the settling chamber, is provided at a level higher than the inlet and outlet passages. The inlet passage (7) and the outlet passage (8) are located in the extension of one another, viewed in the longitudinal direction. The surface area of the inlet passage is preferably greater than the surface area of the outlet passage. The discharge opening is provided level with or beyond the outlet passage.

Abstract: For the biological purification of waste water, use is made of a column containing a UASB reactor (1) at the bottom and an aerobic reactor (2) at the top. The two reactors (1; 2) are separated from one another by a partition (12) in which openings are provided to allow the anaerobic effluent through into the aerobic reactor. The partition (12) is situated at some distance above the gas collection means (8) in order to form a buffer zone (13) for anaerobic sludge which has flowed through. Preferably, a floatation apparatus (3) is mounted on the aerobic reactor in order to separate biomass from the purified water.

Abstract: A settling device (2) for a fluid containing liquid, gas and particulate material comprises liquid-discharge elements (15) fitted close to the water level of the fluid and supply elements for supplying the fluid at the bottom of the settling chamber. In the settling chamber one or more caps (12) are disposed with their longitudinal axis at an angle to the water level, such that fluid supplied at the bottom of the settling chamber flows obliquely up, forced along the bottom of the at least one cap. Whilst gas bubbles contained therein collect in the ridge (17) of the at least one cap. The gas collected in the ridge of the at least one cap is trapped by elements (18) beneath the water level of the fluid. Preferably, use is made of a row containing a multiplicity of caps (12) which are disposed in oblique, overlapping and parallel arrangement. The caps (12) can be fitted at an angle of 60.degree. relative to the water level and preferably have a mutual interval of about 6 cm.