Abstract: Waste water and/or outgoing air are purified by contact with a polyurethane hydrogel containing surface active coal, a polymer having cationic groups and cells having enzymatic activity and being capable of growth.

Abstract: A method of treating biomass having fermentable material is provided utilizing acid hydrolysis in a countercurrent diffusion treatment structure. By practicing the invention acid usage is minimized, pentose concentration in the hydrolysate solution is maximized, and ethanol, butanol, butanediol, and the alcohols can be produced without the input of any external energy whatsoever into the production method. Biomass is particlized and slurried, and then is continuously subjected to acid hydrolysis at temperature, acid concentration, and residence time conditions sufficient to effect hydrolysis of the hemicellulose in the biomass to effect separation of pentose and hexose sugars into a hydrolysate having insufficient furfural to substantially inhibit fermentation microorganism growth, while not substantially hydrolyzing the cellulose in the biomass.

Abstract: Plasmid-assisted molecular breeding procedures for generating pure and mixed cultures of microorganisms capable of dissimilating environmentally persistent chemical compounds. Continuously cultured growth of microorganisms is carried out in the presence of a source of DNA plasmids participative in dissimilation of compounds structurally analogous to the persistent compounds and under chemostatic conditions including gradually increasing concentrations of the persistent compound. Novel microorganism products of the procedures include a mixed Arthrobacter and Pseudomonas culture, A.T.C.C. 39028, capable of total degradation of mixed polychlorinated biphenyls (e.g., Arochlor 1221) and a pure culture of Pseudomonas cepacia, A.T.C.C. 39027, which can utilize 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) as its sole carbon source. Disclosed also are procedures for using pure and mixed cultures of the invention in degrading persistent compounds contaminating soil and aqueous environments.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a septic tank provided with at least two successive fermentation and decantation compartments connected to each other by a lateral opening. According to this method, the light and/or heavy sludges contained in each compartment are pumped and discharged in a waste tank whereas the bacteriological liquid medium of both compartments is pumped out and stored in a storage tank. The liquid medium kept in the storage tank is reintroduced into the septic tank after the same has been cleaned, to reactivate said tank thereby making it immediately operative. A tanker especially designed for carrying out this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to microbial methods and materials useful in the degradation of organic chemicals having toxic and obnoxious characteristics into innocuous materials compatible with the environment and to the process comprising identification, production and utilization of microorganisms for said purposes.

Abstract: An improved process for the treatment of aqueous effluents containing strong anions such as sulphate, nitrate, chlorides and fluorides wherein the aqueous effluent is subjected to a biological purification process is described. According to the process, aqueous effluent such as those obtained by condensation of gases present in a coal gasification plant and containing these anions and others in a combined concentration of at least 2 mval/l and organic contaminants in a concentration of at least 1000 mg/l are subjected to the biological purification followed by separation of water from solids of the effluent. Thereafter, the water is subjected to anion exchange in an anion exchanger against hydrogen carbonate ions and at least part of the so-treated water is recycled to the aqueous effluent so as to be present therewith during the biological purification. By such a process the biological purification can be conducted at an optimum pH such as a pH in the range of 6 to 8. CO.sub.3 /HCO.sub.

Abstract: Cultivation of phototrophic bacteria such as in the treatment of organic wastes is carried out in a light field substantially free from ultraviolet light having a wavelength of not more than 340 nm. This process promotes growth of the phototrophic bacteria and improves quality of the resulting bacterial cell.

Abstract: Newly isolated yeasts assimilating a high amount of protein are added to a waste water rich in protein thereby making such yeasts assimilate protein, so that the B.O.D. of the waste water is efficiently decreased.

Abstract: Mutant microorganism, Pseudomonas putida CB-173 degrading phenolics, and at a temperature as low as, e.g., about 1.degree. to 4.degree. C., at a faster rate than known Pseudomonas putida type strains, and process for treating wastewater containing phenolics using the mutant microorganism strain Pseudomonas putida CB-173.

Abstract: The present invention relates to deodorization of excrement by Lactobacillus strains in cultivation of said strains with S-, N- or C-compounds which are odoriferous components of said excrement and/or certain amino acids.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of valuable metals or their compounds from an aqueous medium, such as a metals refinery process waste solution. Metals are recovered in water-insoluble form from aqueous solutions of metal salts by contacting the aqueous solution with a killed fungus of the type commonly called molds for a period of time sufficient to convert soluble metal components in the aqueous solution to a water insoluble form sequestered by the dead fungus. After treatment, metals-containing fungus is separated from the treated aqueous medium and processed for the recovery of metal values.

Abstract: A process for recovering metals from aqueous media containing metal in solution, and especially from industrial waste water. The process includes the steps of contacting the aqueous medium with fungus for a period of time sufficient to allow the fungus to extract metal in a water-insoluble form from the solution. The metal may then be recovered from the fungus. Fungi of the species Cladosporium, Penicillium, Trichoderma, Black Mycelium and Aureobasidium, have been found to be particularly useful in the process of the present invention. The process is useful, both as a water purification process and as a metals recovery process.

Abstract: A process for removing oleaginous materials containing those of animal origin from wastewater comprising treating wastewater containing oleaginous material with a microbial combination of:(a) a microorganism of the strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa mutant SGRR.sub.2 ; and(b) at least one of:(i) a microorganism of the genus Bacillus; and(ii) a microorganism of the genus Pseudomonas other than the strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa mutant SGRR.sub.2 ; and the microbial combination of:(a) a microorganism of the strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa mutant SGRR.sub.2 ; and(b) at least one of:(i) a microorganism of the genus Bacillus; and(ii) a microorganism of the genus Pseudomonas other than the strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa mutant SGRR.sub.2.

Abstract: A method of producing a matrix of micro-organisms for extracting and gaining uranium from sea water, according to which the matrix is made of micro-organisms occurring in nature that are exposed to x-ray irradiations. These predetermined micro-organisms accordingly form colonies or threads and are filtered easily and cultivated. These micro-organisms accordingly form colonies or threads and are filtered easily and cultivated. These micro-organisms have a ratio of surface to volume that is relatively high. Subsequently, the thus irradiated micro-organisms are placed on a nutrient medium rich in uranium and are left there until colonies are formed. Thereupon, the surviving colonies of mutants are inoculated in a nutrient solution, and are then cultivated to produce the matrix.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating aqueous waste material having a biochemical oxygen demand comprises a method utilizing a vessel in which a volume of waste material establishes itself into an upper zone of clarified waste material and a lower zone of liquid containing bacterial sludge. Liquid from the lower zone is mixed with incoming sewage and the resulting mixture is fed first to an oxygenation chamber and then to a stilling chamber located in the upper zone of the vessel. Baffle means is located within the vessel for deflecting and reducing the momentum of the aqueous waste material as it leaves the stilling box and falls to the lower zone.

Abstract: Removal of cyanide in wastewater treatment improved by initially contacting a rich cyanide bearing stream with activated sludge at a pH within the range of 3-6 upstream of the wastewater treating plant.

Abstract: A method for the preservation of activated sludge of a waste water purification stage, wherein preservation of such activated sludge is accomplished by flushing with a gas mixture containing at least carbon dioxide and a low oxygen content.