Abstract: This invention relates in part to plant breeding and herbicide tolerant plants. This invention includes a novel aad-1 transformation event in corn plants comprising a polynucleotide sequence, as described herein, inserted into a specific site within the genome of a corn cell. In some embodiments, said event/polynucleotide sequence can be “stacked” with other traits, including, for example, other herbicide tolerance gene(s) and/or insect-inhibitory proteins. Additionally, the subject invention provides assays for detecting the presence of the subject event in a sample (of corn grain, for example). The assays can be based on the DNA sequence of the recombinant construct, inserted into the corn genome, and on the genomic sequences flanking the insertion site. Kits and conditions useful in conducting the assays are also provided.

Abstract: A system comprising method and apparatus for separating biologically-digestible materials from an influent sewage stream. The system may comprise a primary clarification tank to capture sixty percent or more of the total solids from an influent stream; a sludge classifying press (SCP) to isolate and concentrate biologically digestible materials from sludge formed in the primary clarification tank, releasing valuable organics, such as are found in corn kernels, by fracturing the protective casings; a grit capture mechanism in a chamber within the primary clarification tank and isolated from the bulk of the sludge containing biologically-degradable materials; a grit trap to remove grit from the sludge prior to classifying the sludge with the SCP; apparatus for adding thickener to the sludge after classification and prior to digestion; and automation of one or more elements of the process for separating and digesting the biologically digestible materials in an influent stream.

Abstract: An improved sludge classifying press for isolating biologically-digestible materials from sludge. The press comprises a tubular shell containing a cylindrical separation screen and a tapered auger driven within the separation screen by a motor and transmission. The SCP assists in fracturing the protective casings of resistant seeds and passing the resulting comminuted solid materials in a liquid stream of BOD materials. The separation screen may be repositioned with respect to the tubular shell by rotation to distribute wear by grit impingement that occurs during use preponderantly at the bottom of the screen, thereby extending the working life of the screen.

Abstract: A system comprising method and apparatus for separating biologically-digestible materials from an influent sewage stream. The system may comprise a primary clarification tank to capture sixty percent or more of the total solids from an influent stream; a sludge classifying press (SCP) to isolate and concentrate biologically digestible materials from sludge formed in the primary clarification tank, releasing valuable organics, such as are found in corn kernels, by fracturing the protective casings; a grit capture mechanism in a chamber within the primary clarification tank and isolated from the bulk of the sludge containing biologically-degradable materials; a grit trap to remove grit from the sludge prior to classifying the sludge with the SCP; apparatus for adding thickener to the sludge after classification and prior to digestion; and automation of one or more elements of the process for separating and digesting the biologically digestible materials in an influent stream.

Abstract: A system comprising method and apparatus for separating biologically-digestible materials from an influent sewage stream. The system may comprise a primary clarification tank to capture sixty percent or more of the total solids from an influent stream; a sludge classifying press (SCP) to isolate and concentrate biologically digestible materials from sludge formed in the primary clarification tank, releasing valuable organics, such as are found in corn kernels, by fracturing the protective casings; a grit capture mechanism in a chamber within the primary clarification tank and isolated from the bulk of the sludge containing biologically-degradable materials; a grit trap to remove grit from the sludge prior to classifying the sludge with the SCP; apparatus for adding thickener to the sludge after classification and prior to digestion; and automation of one or more elements of the process for separating and digesting the biologically digestible materials in an influent stream.

Abstract: A system comprising method and apparatus for separating biologically-digestible materials from an influent sewage stream. The system may comprise a primary clarification tank to capture sixty percent or more of the total solids from an influent stream; a sludge classifying press (SCP) to isolate and concentrate biologically digestible materials from sludge formed in the primary clarification tank, releasing valuable organics, such as are found in corn kernels, by fracturing the protective casings; a grit capture mechanism in a chamber within the primary clarification tank and isolated from the bulk of the sludge containing biologically-degradable materials; a grit trap to remove grit from the sludge prior to classifying the sludge with the SCP; apparatus for adding thickener to the sludge after classification and prior to digestion; and automation of one or more elements of the process for separating and digesting the biologically digestible materials in an influent stream.

Abstract: A method for treating sludge comprising the steps of a) separating the sludge into a BOD-rich portion and a BOD-poor portion; and b) adding flocculant to the BOD-rich portion after the separating step. A currently preferred method comprises the steps of a) first passing the sludge through a sludge classifying press to create a classified sludge; and b) adding at least one flocculent to the classified sludge after the passing step. The method may comprise the further steps of separating grit from the sludge by preliminarily passing the sludge through a grit separator prior to the first passing step; and/or thickening the classified sludge by second passing the classified sludge through a sludge thickener after the adding step.

Abstract: A system for static mixing in a waste water settling tank to increase the percentage of recovery of entrained solids from the waste water comprising a settling tank having a hopper bottom defining a sludge hopper, a deflector dome centrally disposed within the space contained in the hopper bottom, and an inlet pipe for introduction of waste water containing second entrained solids into the settling tank and having a discharge outlet in proximity to the underside of the deflector dome. Influent waste water is directed vertically upward into the center of the deflector dome which distributes the influent radially into contact, preferably turbulent, with previously introduced waste water containing first entrained solids to cause coalescence of the first and second entrained solids to form larger particles having increased settling velocity.

Abstract: A method for static mixing in a waste water settling tank to increase the percentage of recovery of entrained solids from the waste water comprising a settling tank having a hopper bottom defining a sludge hopper, a deflector dome centrally disposed within the space contained in the hopper bottom, and an inlet pipe for introduction of waste water containing second entrained solids into the settling tank and having a discharge outlet in proximity to the underside of the deflector dome. Influent waste water is directed vertically upward into the center of the deflector dome which distributes the influent radially into contact, preferably turbulent, with previously introduced waste water containing first entrained solids to cause coalescence of the first and second entrained solids to form larger particles having increased settling velocity.

Abstract: A rocker chiller 10 includes a tank 12 with a dasher assembly 26 that oscillates across the curved bottom wall of the tank. A series of central deflectors 40 are positioned at intervals along the length of the tank and another series of side deflectors 46 are mounted at intervals along the upwardly extending side walls 16 and 18 of the tank. The side deflectors are offset longitudinally with respect to the central deflectors. The offset relationship of the side deflectors and central deflectors creates serpentine paths through the elongated tank on both sides of the tank that require the carcasses to move through more of the heat exchanging liquid and which reduces the tendency of carcasses passing each other.

Abstract: A decanter system for separating liquid from solids in a liquid mixture tank includes a screen structure which is at least partially submersible in a fluid influent in the tank. The screen structure includes a liquid outlet for removal of screened liquid. A lifting mechanism is attached to the structure for raising and lowering the structure with respect to the tank. A control mechanism governs the lifting mechanism for regulating a vertical position of the structure with respect to the tank. The control mechanism includes a first pressure sensor within the structure, a second pressure sensor within the tank, a proximity transducer within the tank, an effluent outlet control valve, a flow meter, and a controller. A method for separating liquid from solids in a tank is also described.

Abstract: A method to self-clean an influent feed system (IFS) trough of a wastewater treatment facility with flushing by a supernatant includes: providing two or more clarification tank systems, each clarification tank system fluidly coupled via one or more pipes to at least one of another of the clarification tank systems; filling one of the clarification tank systems with an influent so that a fluid level in the clarification tank rises above another fluid level in another clarification tank; settling the influent in the clarification tank so that a layer of supernatant forms in an upper portion of the clarification tank; and flowing a portion of the supernatant from the clarification tank to one or more IFS troughs of one or more IFS in another clarification tank to self-clean the one or more IFS troughs of one or more IFS in the another clarification tank.

Abstract: A self-cleaning system for flushing an influent feed system (IFS) trough of a wastewater treatment facility by use of a supernatant includes one or more IFS disposed in a first clarification tank. Each IFS includes a grit box to capture waste materials and to convey the waste materials into a hopper of the IFS. The hopper has at least one IFS discharge pipe to convey the materials out of the hopper as controlled by an IFS valve. At least a second clarification tank also includes one or more IFS disposed in the second clarification tank. One or more pipes fluidly couple at least one trough of the one or more IFS of the first clarification tank to at least one trough of the one or more IFS of the second clarification tank. A supernatant flows through the one or more pipes. An IFS with a plow is also described.

Abstract: An influent feed system to classify and separate particulate matter and solvated materials from an influent stream includes one or more influent feed troughs in fluid communication with a clarification tank. One or more grit boxes are in fluid communication with the one or more influent feed troughs. The one or more grit boxes include a hopper for accumulation of materials to be deposited. The hopper has a drainage pipe and a valve that controls communication of materials between the influent feed system and the drainage pipe. A mechanism delivers the influent stream at a predetermined and a substantially constant flow rate. The influent stream is separated into two or more streams and recombined under pressure in the grit boxes. A grit box to classify and separate particulate matter and solvated materials from an influent stream is also described.

Abstract: The subject invention provides novel plants that are not only resistant to 2,4-D and other phenoxy auxin herbicides, but also to aryloxyphenoxypropionate herbicides. Heretofore, there was no expectation or suggestion that a plant with both of these advantageous properties could be produced by the introduction of a single gene. The subject invention also includes plants that produce one or more enzymes of the subject invention alone or “stacked” together with another herbicide resistance gene, preferably a glyphosate resistance gene, so as to provide broader and more robust weed control, increased treatment flexibility, and improved herbicide resistance management options. More specifically, preferred enzymes and genes for use according to the subject invention are referred to herein as AAD (aryloxyalkanoate dioxygenase) genes and proteins. No ?-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase enzyme has previously been reported to have the ability to degrade herbicides of different chemical classes and modes of action.

Abstract: A waste water treatment system includes a clarification tank having a clarification tank wall. An influent feed system (IFS) is mechanically mounted within and adjacent to a wall of the clarification tank and configured to receive a waste water influent stream including a fluid. A scum trough is mechanically coupled to either the IFS or the clarification tank. The scum trough has a scum trough mouth and a scum trough discharge channel. The scum trough is movable, or a portion of the scum trough includes a moveable structure, to control a rate of fluid in-take of the fluid with scum and floatables from either of the IFS or the clarification tank. Several methods to remove scum and floatables from a waste water stream are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vertically adjustable screened decanter system to replace prior art stationary or pivoting effluent weirs in water clarifiers and settling basins. The screened decanter has no physical weir and relies instead on maintaining a desired flow rate by controllably varying the depth of immersion of a screened box. The decanter is periodically raised into a hood that provides spray cleaning and disinfection of the screened box. The system is capable of removing up to 85% of the BOD in a wastewater stream.

Abstract: An SBX assembly comprising an ultrafine screen; a three-dimensional screen frame supportive of the screen and sealed along the screen edges to prevent liquids and solids from bypassing the screen; and an air plenum attached to the frame that provides air scouring at the lowest elevation of the screen. The air plenum is attached to the lower region of the SBX. The plenum is supplied from a source of compressed air and is provided with a plurality of exit holes. Air exiting the plenum flows along the upstream surface of the SBX screening below the level of liquid in the primary settling tank, thereby scouring accumulated residues from the screening surface. Upon reaching the liquid surface, the bubbles migrate horizontally away from the SBX assembly and toward one or more nearby scum troughs in the primary settling tank.

Abstract: A system for backflushing materials from the upstream side of a bar screen in a primary waste water treatment installation having a reservoir of influent material disposed within a primary settling tank on the downstream side of the bar screen, wherein the system comprises a drain pipe in communication with the interior of the primary settling tank, a drain valve disposed in the drain pipe, and a programmable controller controllably connected to the drain valve and to an influent supply valve disposed in an influent supply pipe connected to an entry port in the primary settling tank. Preferably the system includes a first sensor disposed within the settling tank and a second sensor and flowmeter disposed within the drain pipe. Backflushing is provided by reverse flow of influent from the reservoir when the influent supply valve is closed and the drain valve is opened.

Abstract: The invention provides a waste water treatment system including primary settling tanks. The waste water treatment system includes a trough which causes water to flow in a direction parallel to a bar screen placed in the trough with the base of the bar screen being at a lower elevation than the trough weir. Each primary settling tank has a fine screen box for screening waste water. Each primary settling tank has a scum and floatables trough for collecting scum and floatables which pass through or over a top edge of the bar screen. The scum and floatables troughs are in fluid communication with one. When a scum valve is open, scum, floatables and water in the scum and floatables trough flows from the scum and floatables trough of the first primary setting tank to the scum and floatables trough of the second primary settling tank into a collection container.