Abstract: A bio-reactor for treating wastewater effluent using microorganisms includes a tank having a first volume, a second volume, and a third volume, each volume having an outer wall; an inlet in the first volume to introduce wastewater effluent; a central channel located within the second volume; a first air supply to introduce air into wastewater effluent located in the central channel within the second volume; a packed media bed of small components, the packed media bed being located in the second volume; a second air supply to introduce air into wastewater effluent located in the third volume to assist movement of wastewater effluent upward from the third volume, through the packed media bed, to the first volume; and an outlet in the third volume to drain a portion of the wastewater effluent.

Abstract: A bioreactor for treating a liquid comprises a container having a vertical wall portion with at least one inlet port and at least one outlet port. The bioreactor also comprises a media support platform securely disposed inside the container at a position below the inlet and outlet ports, and substantially permeable to liquid. The bioreactor comprises at least one cylindrical chamber inside the container at a position above the media support platform. The bioreactor also comprises a plurality of media units topically disposed on the media support platform. The bioreactor comprises a recirculation/aeration system secured at a bottom end of the cylindrical chamber. The recirculation/aeration system has a submersible pump device that can be programmed to pump liquid at variable speeds and has a liquid intake portion having perforations, an air intake tube, and an eductor device. The air intake tube protrudes through a top port of the container.

Abstract: A system for recycling drilling sludge is disclosed. The system has a treatment area and a salt-tolerant bio-reactor coupled to the treatment area. The bio-reactor has i) at least one bio-suspension element for supporting the growth of at least one type of biological microorganism within an enclosed flow zone; ii) an agitator for creating a flow of the drilling sludge through the enclosed flow zone at a flow rate; and iii) an aerator for providing a gas to the enclosed flow zone. The system also has a processor coupled to the agitator and configured to create at least a minimum self-cleaning drag force between drilling sludge passing through the enclosed flow zone and the combined at least one type of biological microorganism and the at least one bio-suspension element. A related method and bio-reactor are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for recycling drilling sludge is disclosed. The system has a treatment area and a salt-tolerant bio-reactor coupled to the treatment area. The bio-reactor has i) at least one bio-suspension element for supporting the growth of at least one type of biological microorganism within an enclosed flow zone; ii) an agitator for creating a flow of the drilling sludge through the enclosed flow zone at a flow rate; and iii) an aerator for providing a gas to the enclosed flow zone. The system also has a processor coupled to the agitator and configured to create at least a minimum self-cleaning drag force between drilling sludge passing through the enclosed flow zone and the combined at least one type of biological microorganism and the at least one bio-suspension element. A related method and bio-reactor are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for treating a body of water in which a bioreactor and a water eductor are located in a body of water such that the eductor is submerged beneath the body of water to a depth of at least about 3 feet. The water eductor produces a water flow at a rate of at least about 60 feet per minute; the water flow is substantially parallel to the surface of the body of water. Water is also passed through a bioreactor that contains a plurality of bio-suspension elements within an enclosure located above a screen in the enclosure.

Abstract: A process for treating a body water to purify it. In this process, a portion of the water to be treated is continuously caused to flow at a rate of at least about 60 feet per minute and is continuously agitated, aerated, and fed into a biochamber within which are disposed at least five distinct strains of microorganisms. A screen is disposed in the biochamber below the microorganisms, and air is forced through such screen during the processing of the water.

Abstract: A method for removing selected biodegradable materials from a body of water. In the first step of this method, a plurality of bio-suspension elements are disposed within an enclosure which is floating at least partially submerged in a body of water; the bio-suspension elements provide surfaces for supporting the growth of at least five different biological microorganisms. The different biological microorganisms are intermittently introduced into the enclosure along with water; the water is continuously aerated and fed into the enclosure at a rate of at least about 60 feet per minute. The treated water so produced is continuously removing from the enclosure at a rate of at least about 60 feet per minute. The pH, the total dissolved solids, the temperature, and the flow rate of the treated water is continuously measured.