Abstract: A method and apparatus for the continuous degradation of hazardous paint and organic solvent wastes. The apparatus includes a high performance fixed film bioreactor system into which is fed waters contaminated with paints or solvents from industrial operations and which utilizes the characteristic of either anaerobic or aerobic microorganisms growing on a fixed film for the degradation of these solvents and purification of contaminated waters. The bioreactor incorporates novel internal flow features which result in highly effective destruction of organic wastes in aqueous streams.

Abstract: In a method of and apparatus for recovering mercury from drainage, mercury-containing waste water is fed into a first treating tank where the waste water is heated together with a metal having a stronger ionizing tendency than mercury, to reduce mercury ions in the waste water and free the mercury ions as metallic mercury. The solution under treatment is then transferred to a second treating tank where the solution is alkalinized, and mercury ions remaining in the solution is reduced by means of a water soluble metallic salt having a stronger ionizing tendency than mercury, to free the mercury ions as metallic mercury. Mercury vapor containing gases generating from the first and second treating tanks are cooled in a cooling device, and condensed and liquefied mercury is collected in a gas-liquid separator. Exhaust gas generating from the gas-liquid separator is fed into the solution under treatment in the second treating tank.

Abstract: An aerobic septic system having a conventional tank, conical separator or clarifier, and air injection system has an air header discharging air around the entire periphery of the tank. Substantially all solids suspended in wastewater are therefore mechanically agitated and aerated, greatly increasing system efficiency. Wastewater rises along the tank walls and spills over the top of the separator. It then descends in the separator. A vent pipe has an egress port in the roof of the tank, and rises to join an incoming sewage line from a residential plumbing system, which in turn communicates with a vent stack.

Abstract: An odor control system for a settling tank containing a pool of wastewater to be clarified in which suspended particles are removed by gravitational settling and the water at the surface of the pool is clarified. Supported within the tank is an elongated effluent trough having a weir at one side thereof which extends upwardly therefrom to permit clarified water from the pool to spill over into the trough. Mounted over the trough along its full length is a hood having a side wall which extends into the pool at a position displaced from the weir the hood being constituted by a series of sections. The hood acts to capture noxious gases emitted into a region above the surface of the water therebelow as the clarified water spills over into the trough.

Abstract: An effluent recycling sanitation system. A first container forms a placid waste separator connected in series to a second container forming an effluent recycling chamber. Both containers are located below ground and are formed from reinforced concrete having a fiberglass liner separated by insulation preventing outward flow of heat energy. The first container is sealed relative to the atmosphere providing for biodegradation of incoming sewage with a vertically extending screen allowing only liquid sewage to flow outwardly into the second container. An air inlet tube extends into the second container allowing fresh air to move into the container with gases then being withdrawn via a second tube extending out of the second container and powered by an air turbine. A solar converter plus auxiliary heat coils located within the second container rinse the temperature within the second container. Liquid within the second container is evaporated via the outlet tube.

Abstract: A filter for continuous filtration of a liquid includes conventionally a vessel having a center shaft on which is arranged at least one rotating filter element defining an inner space for liquid obtained at filtration. Further there is provided a washing device for washing of material deposited on the filter element, a connection between said inner space and outlet means from said vessel and a separator connected to said outlet and adapted for separating filtrate and gas. Means is provided outside said vessel for generating an overpressure in the gas space of the vessel and a lower pressure in the interior of the filter element at least corresponding to the evaporating temperature of the filtrated liquid for evaporation of the liquid in the separator. The separator is provided with a cooling device for cooling the separated gas and an outlet for condensate obtained at cooling.

Abstract: The well water removal and treatment system of the present invention includes a pumping and well water withdrawl loop consisting of an above ground pump, a pressurized water drive line from the pump outlet to a well water ejector, a water return line from the well water ejector to an aeration and precipitation tank, an inlet line from the aeration and precipitation tank to the pump and a venturi nozzle air mixing manifold fluidically connected between the high pressure drive water line and the lower pressure water delivery line to mix air into the water during the entire pump cycle. The water delivery line from the pumping and withdrawal loop has a flow control regulator therein that controls the water flow therethrough in proportion to the water pressure in the pumping and withdrawal loop above a preselected minimum control level.

Abstract: An arrangement for driving out volatile impurities from ground water by air or another gas, has a shaft adapted to extend to a ground water region and having at least locally a water-permeable wall formed as another wall and limiting at least partially an air receiving chamber communicating with an outside air, a ventilator communicating with the shaft for producing a negative pressure and aspirating air from a shaft portion located above a ground water level, a pipe extending in the shaft to an area under the ground water level so as to form the air receiving chamber and to provide communication to the outside air, the pipe having an inner end region provided with nozzle openings, a screening sleeve arranged concentrically relative to the pipe and at least partially covering the end region of said pipe provided with said nozzle openings. The screening sleeve is supported displaceably relative to the pipe and sealed relative to the pipe and a floating body coupled with the pipe.

Abstract: An arrangement for cleaning contaminated ground water and a ground region through which it flows, comprises a shaft extending to a region of the ground water to be cleaned and having water permeable shaft walls separated from one another by a separating wall and adapted for aspirating of water from a ground region and reintroducing of the water into the ground region, elements for circulating water and including a water circulating pump and a passage extending through the separating wall and forming a part of a flow path, a shaft insert formed so that the passage is a part of the shaft insert. The shaft insert has a gas chamber through which a gas is supplied under the action of negative pressure. The water circulating pump is formed as a suction pump arranged on the shaft insert in a water aspiration region of the shaft. A water receiving chamber starts underneath the gas chamber and extends above the gas chamber.

Abstract: A system and method for treating wastewater containing industrial esters collected from grease traps at food establishments, septic tanks or from sludge digesters by increasing the pH of the wastewater to break down the ester. The increased pH wastewater is mixed to a predetermined mean velocity gradient which allows the influent to react. The reacted influent is then stabilized to lower the pH to normal levels suitable for input into a municipal wastewater treatment facility. Volatile gases are drawn off from all of the reactor tanks and placed into a treatment tank. In the tank a reduction of the bacterial and odor level occurs when the wastewater reacts with the chlorine-containing water output of the municipal wastewater treatment facility.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for measuring a dissolved gas in oil wherein air is blown into an oil sample through a bubble generator, bubbles are passed through the oil sample to extract dissolved gas therefrom, a resulting air-extracted gas mixture is contacted by a gas sensor for detecting and measuring the dissolved gas and the mixture is recirculated through the oil sample. Preferably, the air bubbles are within the range of 0.1 mm to 8.0 mm, and, also, the volume of the apparatus is selected so that the quantity of the gas to be measured is not more than 20% of the combined volume of the extraction vessel, the sensor chamber, and the connecting conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus for clarification of industrial sewage comprises a vertical cylindrical chamber for circulation of industrial sewage with a conical bottom secured to which are a branch pipe for feeding the polluted industrial sewage with flocculants, and a branch pipe for discharging the slurry. Secured outside of the cylindrical chamber at its upper edge is a circular trough for draining the purified sewage while inside the chamber are arranged partitions for settling of solid particles and at least one separating partition in the form of a body of revolution with holes for distributing polluted sewage over the volume of the chamber, said partition being installed axially in the central part of the chamber with its upper edge arranged level with the upper edge of the chamber. Installed above the separating partition is a pressuretight bell-shaped housing communication with an air rarefaction means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for purifying industrial waste fluids by an aerobic biological treatment is provided herein, which is capable of concurrently purifying waste gases emanating from such waste liquids. The improvement relates to the elimination or reduction of odors and volatile organic substances by enclosing all tanks and basins from the influent of the waste water treatment plant up to the aeration treatment zone for the liquid waste water and venting these gases to an aerobic digester and/or an aeration basin to biologically decompose or degrade the VOS in the waste gas by action of the microorganisms in the aeration basin or aerobic digester.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing mineral contaminants from water is disclosed which has an aeration tank connected to a supply of water and having an inlet for admitting the water to the aeration tank and an outlet for discharging water. A diffuser is connected to the aeration tank inlet and has a plurality of apertures which permit the diffusion of the contaminated water into an airhead within the aeration tank. A source of compressed oxygen is in direct communication with the top of the aeration tank. A controller controls the source of compressed air to permit oxygen to be supplied independently of the water supply to the interior of the aeration tank for recharging the aeration tank with oxygen. A bed of calcium carbonate chips may be positioned inside the aeration tank beneath the spray of contaminated water. A pick-up tube has an open end located above the bed of calcium carbonate chips and is connected to the outlet of the aeration tank.

Abstract: An air-tight containment structure for the digestion of biomass may be collapsed under atmospheric pressure by drawing a vacuum therein, thereby compressing the contained fiber matrix and enhancing the wetting of the biomass. Reagents may be added in quantities to wet only an initial upper layer, and then dispersed downwardly into a further layer by addition of a displacing liquid.

Abstract: This invention relates to a gas assisted flotation process and apparatus useful in the separation of solids from liquids in a slurry, such as treated waste waters, paper pulp solutions etc. The gas assisted flotation process may be operated on a continuous basis. The upper portion of the main chamber of the apparatus is tapered inward to terminate in an apex which has an opening through which the floated and compressed solids and gas are removed. The apparatus also has a fluid discharge line through which the separated fluids may be removed which also contains a fluid discharge valve which may be opened and constricted intermittently to control the flow of slurry through the system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating well water to remove dissolved minerals and entrained gases. An aerator is disposed within a well, the aerator being located being the frost line and the water table. Water from the reservoir within the well and/or from the associated pressure tank is directed through the aerator so that the aerator will cause gases such as hydrogen sulfide to be released from the water, and will also cause dissolved iron and manganese to oxidize and precipitate out of the water so that the quality of the water within the reservoir is substantially improved. The water flow through the aerator will preferably be controlled by the operation of a solenoid operated valve which may in turn be operated by a timer to cause periodic recycling of the water through the aerator and back into the reservoir.

Abstract: An apparatus for sludge thickening including a sludge thickener allowing suspended solids of sludge supplied thereto to settle by their own weight while being thickened. The sludge supplied to the sludge thickener is subjected to aeration for a predetermined period of time in a sludge aerator. Aeration of the sludge strips the anaerobic gas, which is attached to the suspended solids in the form of bubbles or dissolved in the sludge, to atmosphere. By aeration of the sludge before being fed to the sludge thickener, floating of the thickened sludge in the thickener can be avoided.

Abstract: The improved high pressure oxygen-saturated water treatment apparatus of the present invention functions to provide super-saturated oxygen treatment to waste water for purification thereof. The apparatus includes a pressurized treatment tank having a substantial longitudinal dimension, with a chamber separation plate forming two interconnected chambers in the tank. An input conduit for flowing waste water into the first chamber of the tank is provided. An oxygen input conduit is connected to the tank for providing oxygen-containing gas under substantial pressure within the tank. An oxygen output conduit is also disposed on the tank for receiving the oxygen-containing gas from the tank to form a pressurized oxygen-containing stream.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for treating sewage sludge in a hyperbaric vessel in which the sludge is oxygenated by injecting an oxygen-rich gas into the sewage sludge and then dispersing the mixture of sludge and oxygen-rich gas into the upper portion of a hyperbaric vessel for further interaction with an oxygen-rich atmosphere. The oxygen-rich gas is injected into the sewage sludge by delivering the gas to a combination gas and sludge mixing and dispersing assembly. The gas and sludge are mixed within a plurality of channels formed in the assembly before the mixture is dispersed from the channels.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, separating phases in a polyphase system is described and particularly in separating oil from produced water by the contact of gas bubbles and oil droplets by a dispersed gas flotation technique. A polyphase system is divided into at least two portions. The pressure of one portion is reduced to form bubbles of a gas, and the two portions are then recombined whereby the bubbles in the mixture enhances flotation, and hence separation of the dispensed phase, e.g. oil, from the continuous phase, e.g. water. The invention has particular application in the oil industry and in other fields where efficient separation is required.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing volatile organic contaminants from water. Water to be treated is mixed with a small proportion of higher pressure gas (air, ozone, etc.)-saturated water in a static mixer causing the release of a very large number of very fine gas (air, ozone, etc.) bubbles in the mixture. The mixture is directed into a chamber which has a device, such as a transverse perforated plate, to reduce water pressure. The pressure drop, which need only be about 10 psi, causes the volatile organic contaminants to enter the vapor phase and, through mass transfer absorption, mix with the gar bubbles. The bubbles rise to a free headspace at the top of the chamber from which the now-contaminated gas can be withdrawn. The substantially decontaminated water then exits the chamber, still nearly at line pressure.

Abstract: An aerobic wastewater treatment system including an aeration tank, the interior of the aeration tank being divided into at least a first chamber and a last chamber, each of the chambers having a lower portion and an upper portion; structure for allowing influent wastewater to be treated and return sludge to enter the lower portion of the first chamber of the aeration tank; structure for allowing mixed liquor to flow sequentially through the lower portions of each of the chambers; an effluent outlet associated with the last chamber of the aeration tank for allowing mixed liquor to exit the aeration tank; agitator structure associated with each chamber of the aeration tank for enhancing oxygen transfer from the upper to the lower portions of each chamber; structure for introducing high-purity oxygen into the first chamber of the aeration tank and for maintaining the pressure in the upper portion of the first chamber of the aeration tank to at or below existing atmospheric pressure; structure for controlling gas

Abstract: In the method of treating high-concentration organic waste water in dependence upon microorganism, waste water is first anaerobically treated in an anaerobic operation tank in dependence upon anaerobic bacteria groups and methane bacteria groups; in the second step, the waste water is further aerobically treated repeatedly in an aerobic operation tank, and an organic substance as hydrogen donor (raw waste water) is supplied to the aerobic operation tank before the succeeding aerobic treatment; in the third step, ozone treatment is effected to decolor the treated water. Two speed bacteria culture tanks for sludge bacteria and methane bacteria are provided separately to supply bacteria to the anaerobic operation tank for providing further reliable decomposition and denitrification of organic substance into methane and nitrogen gasses.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for the oxidation of an aqueous suspension of organic matter at elevated temperature and pressure is disclosed. The organic matter is oxidized in a reactor having a reaction zone consisting of static mixer vane arrangement. The oxidized matter and oxygen-containing gas are circulated through the static mixer to promote the oxidation of the organic matter in reducing COD to the desired level.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for chemically decontaminating PCB-contaminated dielectric fluids utilizes three reactors through which the contaminated fluid is processed on a repetitive, sequential batch basis automated by a programmable controller. The processing of each reactor batch includes a charging cycle during which a reactor is filled with contaminated fluid, a reaction cycle during which the PCBs are destroyed by reaction with reagents introduced into a reactor, and a discharging cycle during which the reactor is emptied of decontaminated fluid and reaction by-products into a decanting tank for ultimate separation. The controller coordinates the sequential batch processing through the three reactors in 120.degree. time phased relation such that a charging cycle of one reactor batch, a reaction cycle of a second reactor batch and a discharging cycle of the third reactor batch are all coincident in time during normal operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out a degradation in an anaerobic medium, such as a methanogenesis, of organic products, by-products or waste from human, animal and/or plant origin, involving feeding said products to be degraded into a closed fermentation vessel, forcing said products to flow in a direction of circulation within said vessel and recovering the gas produced called biogas evolved above said body of degraded products, with the feeding and/or discharge of the products performed pneumatically, preferably through pneumatic thrust and, according to a preferred embodiment, by injection of gas, preferably biogas. A further improvement comprises using the biogas produced for homogenizing said body of products contained within said vessel, the pressure of injection being in relation to the actual density of the products, in the injection related section.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus are specified by which emulsions or suspensions of both different and changing composition can be separated in a particularly reliable manner. Proceeding on the principle of turbo-flotation, which is known per se, according to one embodiment, the gas is dispersed in the lower region of the vessel so that it is finely dispersed directly at the point where the emulsion is broken up or the suspension is separated, respectively, mechanically. Furthermore, the emulsion or suspension to be separated is supplied to the vessel close to the surface of the emulsion and the residue is removed at the bottom of the vessel. In this way, in continuous operation, a counter-flow between gas or gas/liquid suspension and emulsion can be achieved, thereby avoiding recontamination and re-emulsification. A strictly separated turbulence zone and a superposed flotation zone are formed. Foam carrying the flotate is formed on the surface.

Abstract: A non-mixed vertical tower anaerobic digester and anaerobic digestion process provides passive concentration of biodegradable feed solids and microorganisms in an upper portion of a continuous digester volume and effluent withdrawal from the middle to bottom portion of the digester, resulting in increased solids retention times, reduced hydraulic retention times, and enhanced bioconversion efficiency. In addition, due to passive concentration of solids, the non-mixed anaerobic digester accommodates high solids loadings and provides separation of microbial phases within the continuous digester volume to achieve substantially complete bioconversion of biodegradable feedstock components.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for carrying out mixed liquid, gas and solid phase reactions and is intended for use in sewage digestion tanks where the removal of sludge and foam from the tanks is required. A reactor vessel is provided which includes a floating cover vertically movably maintained within the vessel. A device for limiting gas pressure is connected to the vessel below the cover. A buoyancy chamber is provided which is supported by the cover and located therebelow and is intended to be at least partially immersed within the liquid in the vessel. A foam/sludge withdrawal opening is located below the uppermost portion of the buoyancy chamber and connects the interior of the vessel to the exterior. In a preferred embodiment, a ballast member is supported from the cover and extends from the roof to below the buoyancy member.

Abstract: A two phase anaerobic digestion process for production of methane from organic carbonaceous material in which an active acid forming microbial population is maintained in a first acid forming digestion phase and an active methane forming microbial population is maintained in a second methane forming digestion phase, the liquid effluent from the acid forming digestion phase being passed to a first methane forming digester and gaseous product from the acid forming digestion phase being passed to a second separated methane forming digester for production of methane in the first and second methane forming digesters of the methane forming digestion phase. The two separated methane digestion phases provide increased overall methane production.

Abstract: In the process of treating organic materials comprising a preparation phase in which the organic material to be digested is mixed with an appropriate inoculant and introduced into an anaerobic digester (6), the organic materials are mixed with the inoculant in a mixer (3) in order to form a solid-appearing mass which is introduced into the digester (6) and is extracted thereform after a period of less than 50 days; a part equal to at least one-third of the material extracted from the digester (6) is recycled to the inlet and mixed by kneading with a quantity of fresh organic material less than twice the recycled quantity, the quantity of fresh organic material being pretreated as needed by a drying or by humidification in a manner such that the mass leaving the mixer (3) has a rate of humidity between about 55% and 75%.

Abstract: An oil treating system for use with a tank of oil on-board a tankship includes a container of oil treating agent, means for creating a plume of gas bubbles rising in the oil in the tank, a vent for allowing escape of gas from the tank, and means for introducing the oil treating agent into the plume of gas bubbles rising in the oil, whereby the rising bubbles induce upward flow in their vicinities in the oil with counterbalancing downward flows elsewhere in the oil, with turbulence generated by flow of oil around the bubbles and in their wakes, for rapid and efficient mixing of treating agent into the oil.

Abstract: A fermentation pond has a cover and gas-collection system that includes a gas-impermeable membrane resistant to the elements and resistant to chemical deterioration by both the contents of the pond and any biogas generated by fermentation in the pond. The membrane overlies the full surface of the pond. A biogas collection conduit is positioned at the surface of the pond and under the membrane, and weights are located so as to urge the membrane downwardly along lines separated from each other so as to define between the lines a plurality of channels along which biogas can pass to the collection conduit.

Abstract: Method of biological activating cleaning of waste waters containing nitrogenous materials at conditions of a lowly loaded sludge with simultaneous nitrification of organic nitrogen and ammonia to nitrates while using fluid filtration and an arrangement for execution of this method where the waste water, after its activating cleaning with supply of oxygen, is subsequently cleaned in the course of fluid filtration by denitrification without presence of oxygen creating flotating sludge which is circulated at least partly to the aerobic activating cleaning.

Abstract: In a process for culturing microorganisms in a sealed vessel, the nutrient solution is circulated directionally and the microorganisms are kept in suspension in the moving directional flow. The oxygen-containing gas for aeration of the nutrient solution is run into the solution in such a way that it has a component of motion normal to the direction of flow of the nutrient solution.

Abstract: In an apparatus for processing moist dust and mud from dust removal equipment, especially in the steel industry, wherein the mud is concentrated, fractionated and dewatered in several steps the mud is dewatered in a centrifugal separator, to allow the mud from the dust removal equipment of blast furnaces and steel works to be dewatered in an environmentally acceptable and simple and cost effective way.

Abstract: A system to remove contaminants from water includes, in the pressurized water flow lines, a venturi nozzle assembly to entrain air in the water, a pressure tank to store and deliver the air laden water, an aerator/precipitator tank assembly to remove the excess air and any residual gases from the water in the pressurized system and to remove contaminants from the water and a filter tank having a filtration bed therein to remove the remaining precipitated contaminants from the water and to deliver the water to service.

Abstract: Device and method for cleaning waste water, wherein the waste water (19) and oxygen gas (31) are flowing in opposite directions through a cylindrical multireactor (20) having a central rotatable pipe (24), the multireactor comprising a number of bioreactors and at least one separation chamber (75). The average pressure difference between two successive bioreactors is at most seven meter water column. The bioreactors are separated from each other by stationary walls (40, 41, 48, 55, 60), and each bioreactor has its own mixing device (50) for mixing waste water and oxygen gas.

Abstract: A collecting and treating tank which holds liquid and in which a vertically movable cover floats on the liquid or on a gas layer above the liquid, comprising a tank having a vertical cylindrical circular wall, a bottom at and joined to the wall, and a circular cover which fits loosely inside the circular wall so that it is vertically displaceable with change in liquid and/or gas volume beneath the cover; and a plurality of cover guides, spaced radially around the cover edge, which are adapted to maintain the cover periphery spaced from the tank wall; said cover guides being faced with a solid polymeric layer which is slippery and has a low coefficient of friction so that the cover is readily displaceable vertically solely with change in volume of liquid, gas or both beneath the cover.

Abstract: An anaerobic apparatus for treating wastewater is disclosed. The treating apparatus comprises a reactor housing a media having a plurality of surfaces for receiving bacteria. The wastewater that is to be treated, is introduced into the bottom of the reactor and forced up over the surfaces of the media, whereby the bacteria on the surfaces of and in the voids of the media consume the organic materials in the wastewater by an anaerobic digestion process to produce methane and a biological sludge. The biological sludge is collected and stored in a bottom storage portion of the reactor, whereby further digestion occurs to condense the mass of such sludge. A first conduit array is disposed above the media for withdrawing the treated wastewater. A second conduit array is disposed in communication with the storage portion for withdrawing biological sludge from the reactor.

Abstract: This invention involves a process and apparatus for removing dissolved and undissolved oil and chemical additives from waste and/or produced water streams. The process involves contacting a selected gas with the produced water stream, the selected gas utilizing hydrogen bonding and dipole interactions with the contaminants to remove them from the water. The rise rate of the selected gas is accelerated by mixing natural gas with the selected attractive gas. The selected gas and natural gas are recovered by the application of vacuum to the waste stream after treatment. The selected gas is separated from the natural gas by compressing and cooling the combined gas stream, venting the majority of the natural gas stream while the selected gas is liquified, then expanding the selected gas before returning it to the flotation vessel. Means are also provided for mixing the selected and natural gases with the contaminated water stream at line pressure so that mixing is intimate and flotation is accelerated.

Abstract: A method for increasing bubble production enhancing surface area contact of a gas bubbled through a liquid media, with resulting improved agitation and/or purification and/or absorption and/or adsorption and/or reaction.

Abstract: A single unit fluidized-bed reactor having a reaction space for purification of waste water with biomass attached to carrier particles, comprising a liquid distribution device above the bottom of the reaction space particularly suited for introduction of waste water in wide reactors to achieve uniform fluidization therein, said device consisting of a number of substantially horizontal pipes, each having in the under-surface a number of regularly distributed openings for downward introduction of the liquid, and on top of the reaction space united therewith a multifunctional separation compartment for complete separation of the gas-liquid-solids mixture leaving the reaction space and for complete return of attached biomass into the reaction space, the separation compartment being construction so as to handle treatments involving large or small gas fractions in reactors of varying width.

Abstract: An anaerobic fermentor comprising: a container vessel divided into at least two compartments each having a floor, a roof, and a layer of liquid-pervious packing material disposed horizontally across the compartment at a position intermediate the roof and the floor with its lower surface upwardly spaced from the floor and its upper surface downwardly spaced from the roof; liquid conduits connecting successive compartments in series and connecting the space between the roof and packing layer of one compartment to the space between the floor and packing layer of a succeeding compartment; means for introducing liquid to be treated to the first of the successive compartments; means for removing treated liquid from the last of the successive compartments; means for the removal of gas from the space between the packing layer and the roof of each compartment; and means for the removal of solids from the fermentor.

Abstract: A considerable portion of the gas developed by fermentation in an anaerobic purification equipment for waste water, together with buoyant sludge, is collected by at least one additional collecting system (5), before it may reach the upper part of the reactor. This additional collecting system is fitted at a distance below the collecting system (6) fitted as usual just below the level of one or more overflow gutters (3; 23) for purified water. The additional collecting system (5) has a hydraulic link with one or more rising pipes (7, 7', 27, 32, 31) for raising the liquid sludge mixture by gas lift action. The rising pipes discharge into a separation device (8) from which one or more downpipes (9; 29) for returning separated liquid and sludge extend to the lower section of the reactor chamber. As a result of the tranquility at the top and the turbulence near the bottom, a substantial increase of the load capacity of the equipment can be obtained.

Abstract: An industrial waste anaerobic digestion process takes place in a digester having separate sections within the digester, in which the acid forming and gas forming phases of the digestion process can occur separately under conditions optimized for each phase. A rotating biological contactor is provided in each section for increasing the liquid/gas interface to facilitate the anaerobic reaction. A series of partitions is provided in each section to create zones in which the waste concentration is extremely high and on which the biota can react at maximal reaction rates. The CO.sub.2 produced in the acid forming phase is used in both acid and gas forming sections to mix and achieve pH adjustment, and the methane can be used in the gas forming sections for mixing. A thermophilic chamber in the center of the tank is surrounded by the mesophyllic chamber to minimize and utilize conductive heat loss.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for treatment of organic contaminant containing waste water such that the oxygen demand of the waste water is reduced and methane is produced. The apparatus comprises an anaerobic digester or filter. The digester is packed with a media which provides a substantial growth surface area to microorganisms contained within the digester. The digester also includes recirculation means whereby fluid in the digester below the media is recirculated directly to an upper portion of the digester. Furthermore, the digester has effluent overflow outlets which outlets include a trap to prevent oxygen from entering the digester from the atmosphere. Fluid to be treated in the digester enters the upper portion thereof, passes downwardly through the media, is recirculated by the recirculating means to an upper portion of the digester, and exits the digester after treatment by the microorganisms therein through the outlets.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for treatment of organic contaminant containing waste water such that the oxygen demand of the waste water is reduced and methane is produced. The apparatus comprises an anaerobic digester or filter. The digester is packed with a media which provides a substantial growth surface area to microorganisms contained within the digester. The digester also includes recirculation means whereby fluid in the digester below the media is recirculated directly to an upper portion of the digester. Furthermore, the digester has effluent overflow outlets which outlets include a trap to prevent oxygen from entering the digester from the atmosphere. Fluid to be treated in the digester enters the upper portion thereof, passes downwardly through the media, is recirculated by the recirculating means to an upper portion of the digester, and exits the digester after treatment by the microorganisms therein through the outlets.

Abstract: When treating water with ozone, chlorine or similar reagents, the problem arises of introducing the gas as inexpensively as possible at the extraction point which is frequently located in a considerable depth of water--typically 30 to 59 meters. It is proposed that the gas be introduced into a bubble column downflow reactor (7) in the region close to the surface by means of a mixer and the gas bubbles forming there be passed against buoyancy through the reactor to the lower end of the riser (3) of the pump arrangement, where it is intimately mixed with the fresh water drawn in. After passing through a gas separator (8) and a pump, a part of the heated water is recycled to the mixer (8).