Abstract: A wastewater treatment process that employs anaerobic granular sludge or biomass to remove chemical oxygen demand (COD) from the wastewater. Certain constituents, such as COD, nitrogen, calcium, other dissolved solids, suspended solids, can impair the effectiveness of the granular biomass. Thus, the process employs treatment units to remove these inhibiting constituents to produce a treated effluent or stream. At least a portion of the treated effluent is recycled and mixed with the influent wastewater to reduce the concentration of these inhibiting constituents.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for isolating 1,5-diaminopentane (DAP) from DAP-containing fermentation broths, to a method for the fermentative production of DAP using said isolating method and to a method for producing DAP-comprising polymers by using the DAP isolated or fermatively produced DAPs according to said methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microbial compositions useful in treating and remediating wastewater, removing organic matter from the surfaces of post harvested fruits and vegetables, and decreasing post-harvest disease in fruit and vegetables.

Abstract: A method of controlling sulfides in water systems is disclosed which includes injecting 9,10 anthraquinone into the water system and injecting a nitrate or nitrite into the water system.

Abstract: A batch reactor includes a first portion, a second portion, a first drainage tank, a second drainage tank, and a first flow control mechanism. The first portion includes a first chamber, a second chamber, and a third chamber in fluid communication with one another configured for a flow of at least one biomaterial therethrough. The second portion includes a first chamber and a second chamber in fluid communication with one another configured for a flow of the least one biomaterial therethrough. The first drainage chamber is in fluid communication with the first and second chambers. The second drainage chamber is in fluid communication with the third chamber of the first portion and the second chamber of the second portion. The first flow control mechanism is disposed between the third chamber of the first portion and the first chamber of the second portion.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the growth of heterotrophic eukaryotic biomass that use pH modulations in order to treat wastewater and produce biomass in optimized quantities.

Abstract: A solid dissolver system for the treatment of waste material in a waste water collection system. The solid dissolver system includes a housing. The housing includes a cover and a platform portion for receiving the cover. A cartridge containing agents for the treatment of waste material is disposed within the cover, the cover substantially surrounding and enveloping the cartridge, the cover including an opening. A water inlet is provided into the housing, the water inlet terminating at a spray means disposed proximate to or inside the cover opening, the spray means being capable of directing water at an exposed surface of the cartridge, the platform portion being capable of collecting any effluent from the water directed at the exposed surface of the cartridge by the spray means. A water outlet for channeling the effluent into a waste water collection system is included in the platform portion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods of treating wastewater. The present invention may include a method of treating such wastewater comprising selenium in the form of water soluble selenates, selenites, and/or selenides, the method including: a chemical/biological treatment process, causing the water soluble selenates, selenites, and/or selenides in the wastewater to be converted into insoluble elemental selenium; and a physical treatment process, trapping the insoluble elemental selenium in a filtration device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for taking liquid anaerobic digestion effluent and increasing the solids content by using the effluent and biomass to further digest both.

Abstract: A seawater desalination method of the present invention includes the steps of obtaining ultrafiltration membrane-treated water by subjecting seawater (2) to an ultrafiltration membrane treatment; obtaining membrane bioreactor-treated water by subjecting organic wastewater (1) to a membrane bioreactor treatment; obtaining mixed water by mixing the ultrafiltration membrane-treated water and the membrane bioreactor-treated water; obtaining ultraviolet irradiation-treated water by subjecting the mixed water to an ultraviolet irradiation treatment; and subjecting the ultraviolet irradiation-treated water to a reverse osmosis membrane treatment.

Abstract: This method improves and controls ex-situ or in-situ, aerobic or anaerobic digestion of organic materials and toxic or damaging compounds through increased control of multiple chemical and biological settings and conditions. The ability to control flow, natural processes, and biological activity, while adjusting to individual site conditions, offer many opportunities to modify results. Large quantities of modified or adjusted organisms are developed and utilized. Identification and strategic manipulation of the multiple elements of the system result in performance modifications. Energy is utilized to manipulate characteristics of a natural degradation system.

Abstract: A system for mixing and mixing processes and structures are disclosed. In addition a nozzle used for mixing is disclosed.

Abstract: A bioreactor having improved gas yield is described, wherein the necessary residence time of the biomass in the digestion tank is reduced. During the fermentation of dry, i.e. non-pumpable biomass, percolating juices, so-called percolate, is generated as a result of the moisture contained in the biomass, which percolate is withdrawn via a drainage system and, if necessary, recirculated from the top onto the biomass to be fermented. It has now been found that the biomass yield is significantly increased—in the region of between 10% and 40%—when the resultant percolate is not immediately withdrawn by way of the drainage system, but is accumulated in the digestion tank up to a specific level. This is achieved by a technical device wherein the digestion tank is liquid-tight, i.e. also the flap for loading and unloading the digestion tank must be liquid-tight and also be designed in a correspondingly solid manner in order to withstand the resultant liquid pressure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for removing organic contaminants from water may be used, for example, to treat produced water from a steam assisted heavy oil recovery operation. The treated produced water may be re-used to create steam. Alternatively, the produced water may be a blowdown stream treated to facilitate further treatment in a thermal crystallizer. The treatments may include pH adjustment or separating de-solubilized organics or both. Other treatments may include one or more of oxidation, sorption and biological treatments. The treatments may be used alone or in various combinations. One exemplary combination includes reducing the pH of produced water, separating de-solubilized organics from the produced water, and oxidizing the produced water or contacting the produced water with activated carbon.

Abstract: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as BTEX methanol and other non-phase separable hydrocarbons may be removed from wastewater obtained from oil or gas exploration or production operations by way of a bioreactor. The bioreactor may employ anaerobic microorganisms that metabolize various VOCs. In some embodiments, such a bioreactor may be configured to treat process flow rates of thousands of barrels of wastewater per hour. Such a bioreactor may comprise a large vessel at a larger water treatment site.

Abstract: Feed water is processed in an anaerobic digester. A solid-liquid separation device, for example a sludge screw thickener, treats a stream drawn from the digester in a recirculation loop. The solids portion is returned to the digester to increase the solids retention time and the TSS concentration in the digester. A liquid portion with less than 5% of the solids in the stream is removed and optionally treated further. The flow rate to the solid-liquid separation device is preferably greater than the influent flow rate. The solid-liquid separation device may receive digestate at a TSS concentration of 4% or more and return a solids portion having a TSS concentration of over 10%. The feed water is preferably one or more industrial waste streams having a COD concentration of 20,000 to 50,000 mg/L and a TSS concentration from 1-5%. The organic loading rate may be 10-12 kg/COD/m3/day.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for anaerobic wastewater treatment with a membrane, which effectively generates biogas and suppresses fouling on a membrane surface by performing anaerobic treatment to wastewater. The apparatus for anaerobic wastewater treatment with a membrane includes: an anaerobic reactor for performing anaerobic treatment to wastewater and generating biogas; an anaerobic membrane bio-reactor for filtering wastewater discharged from the anaerobic reactor by means of a membrane module and providing an additional anaerobic treatment space for the wastewater; submerged membrane modules provided in the anaerobic membrane bio-reactor to filter wastewater; rotating disks provided at both sides of the submerged membrane module to induce turbulence to the wastewater by means of rotation; and a second media provided in the anaerobic membrane bio-reactor to circulate according to the flow of the wastewater so that foulants on a surface of the membrane module are detached.

Abstract: The present invention comprises compositions and methods for enhancing biological processes, such as plant growth or bioremediation. For example, the present invention comprises compositions and methods for effectively remediating chemical and organic wastes and reducing the environmental risk from manure, septic, sewage, oil pollution, and other contaminants.

Abstract: Bacterial contamination of industrial water systems lead to bacterial induced corrosion. This invention provides a method for control of corrosion of industrial water systems caused by bacteria by the destruction of targeted problematic bacteria with naturally occurring, non-engineered bacteriophage virulent for targeted bacteria. The invention also provides a staged sequencing of control to adapt to changing conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selecting, retaining or bioaugmenting solids in an activated sludge process for improving wastewater treatment using screens. The screens can be used to separate and retain solids based on size, compressibility or shear resistance. The screens are used to separate and select slow growing organisms, faster settling organisms, or materials added to absorb, treat or remove constituents in the activated sludge process. A swapping screen arrangement provides another means of selecting various particles. The exposed shear rate or time, particle compression, or SRTs can be adjusted manually and/or automatically in response to detected readings from an instrument such as a spectrophotometer or other optical approaches to optimize selection of organisms.

Abstract: The present invention provides a complex of a metal reducing substance and a culture medium component, which is produced in the culturing process of reducing bacteria and the use thereof. The complex of the present invention is a complex produced in the culturing process of reducing bacteria and a compound of a metal reducing substance and a culture medium component. The complex is an adsorbent for quickly and efficiently adsorbing ionic substances present in a solution, and also functions as a reducing agent for reducing specific precious metal ions or platinum-group metal ions.

Abstract: A method and system of treating wastewater is disclosed. The treatment system has a nitrification-denitrification system comprising a sorption system, a biofilm system, and an anaerobic digester that digests or converts at least a portion of the solids or sludge from the sorption system and biofilm system.

Abstract: A particle is disclosed. The particle comprising: (i) at least one inner core which comprises a solid matrix of nutrients for microorganism growth; (ii) an inner membrane being fabricated from a water-soluble polymer, the inner membrane surrounding the inner core and a population of dried microorganisms; and (iii) an outer porous membrane surrounding the inner membrane, the outer porous membrane being insoluble in water. Methods of generating same, propagating microorganisms within and uses of same are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a safe, natural, environmentally sound means of controlling bacterial contamination, corrosion, and souring of oil and gas wells and reservoirs that result from bacteria-contaminated water in a well. In one aspect it is a process for remediation of souring of petroleum reservoirs and coalbeds by adding to the water used in flooding and “fracing” operations an effective amount of virulent (non-lysogenic) bacteriophages (phages) specific for problematic target bacteria. The invention also provides a means for combating loss of effectiveness of bacterial control by staging bacteriophage production and application to control dominant and sub-dominant target bacteria in a community of target bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for encapsulation of biomaterials in a silica-matrix. The present invention includes a composition for formation of a silica-matrix encapsulated biomaterial. The composition includes a reactive silicon compound and a biomaterial with a catalytic activity. When encapsulated in the silica-matrix, the biomaterial at least partially retains its catalytic activity. The present invention also relates to methods of making silica-matrix encapsulated biomaterials, and to methods of using silica-matrix encapsulated biomaterials, including methods of treating water or gas using the silica-matrix encapsulated biomaterials.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning a membrane bioreactor having a stack of generally vertically oriented membrane filter plates mounted in a filtration chamber containing wastewater. In a first cleaning phase, air is supplied to a first discharge zone under the stack to discharge gas bubbles into the wastewater at the bottom of the stack so that the gas bubbles rise upwardly through passages between the filter plates to scour surfaces of the membranes bounding the passages. In a second cleaning phase, gas is supplied to a second discharge zone at the bottom of the stack and surrounding it to cause air lift induced circulation of the wastewater up around the sides of the stack and downwardly through the passages between the filter plates to eject accumulated fibrous material from the passages and to scour surfaces of the membranes bounding the passages.

Abstract: A waste stream is treated by anaerobic digestion. A process is described involves a step of separating solids from digestate, and returning separated solids to a digester. Optionally, there may be a step of solids separation in which larger solids are removed from the digester. A process and apparatus are described for treating waste sludge from a wastewater treatment plant in an anaerobic digester. Feed sludge is thickened or solids are separated from digestate and returned to the digester. Additional co-digestion waste may be added to the digester. The process and apparatus may be used in a retrofit of an existing wastewater treatment plant.

Abstract: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene and methanol may be removed from wastewater obtained from oil or gas exploration or production operations by way of a bioreactor. The bioreactor may employ anaerobic microorganisms that metabolize various VOCs. In some embodiments, such a bioreactor may be configured to selectively change the temperature of the conditions of wastewater placed in the bioreactor, or of wastewater re-circulated through the bioreactor. A centralized valving or control station may optionally control heating or other conditioning elements for both feed and re-circulation systems.

Abstract: A hybrid method and system of treating wastewater with reduced energy usage is disclosed. The treatment system has a sorption system and an anaerobic digester that digests or converts at least a portion of the solids or sludge from the sorption system.

Abstract: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as BTEX methanol and other non-phase separable hydrocarbons may be removed from wastewater obtained from oil or gas exploration or production operations by way of a bioreactor. The bioreactor may employ anaerobic microorganisms that metabolize various VOCs. In some embodiments, such a bioreactor may be configured to treat process flow rates of thousands of barrels of wastewater per hour. Such a bioreactor may comprise a large vessel at a larger water treatment site.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane module, a hollow fiber membrane module unit, and a water treatment method. The module or the module unit enable the efficient contact of microorganisms on the surface of a membrane with a gas. The module and the unit have excellent durability. The hollow fiber membrane module is formed so that the end parts of sheet-form hollow fiber membranes are formed in a substantially rectangular shape and the end face of the anchoring member on a side where the hollow fiber membranes open is formed in a substantially circular shape. The hollow fiber membrane module unit is formed in such a manner that a plurality of modules is disposed. The water treatment method is used to purify treated water with the microorganisms adhered onto the outer surfaces of the hollow fiber membranes by using the module or the unit.

Abstract: A Capture Carbon Storage (CCS) Process for the economical capture of carbon dioxide from coal fuel gas, and the storage of the carbon dioxide as lipid oil or the use of the environmentally begin oil for transportation. The lipid oil may be refined into gasoline, biodiesel fuel, jet fuel, ethanol, and methane which provide a renewable energy resource for the United State's future energy needs. It is a new fuel form which has been both chemically and physically altered to reduce the emissions of carbon dioxide. It is a coal cleaning/upgrading process which produces a refined fuel, Hydrogen, that may be used to produce electricity and an environmentally begin biofuel for transportation. The renewable fuel will produce no carbon foot print at the internal combustion engine's exhaust pipe. The CCS Process will produce a 100% reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions into the atmosphere and thereby, stop the Global Warming.

Abstract: The bacterium that can perform complete dechlorination of trichloroethene, and the bacteria consortium containing the bacterium are provided, and the method to dechlorinate soils or ground water contaminated with trichloroethene using the bacterium is also provide.

Abstract: Compositions of peptides and surface-active agents are described, as are methods of making and using such compositions. The compositions are capable of affecting metabolic rates in biological systems, and to accelerate nutrient uptake without a concomitant increase in biofilm production.

Abstract: Provided are compositions comprising polyphosphate accumulating bacteria as well as a method for identifying said polyphosphate accumulating bacteria. Additionally provided is a method for treating various substances with said compositions.

Abstract: An anaerobic lagoon wastewater treatment system has a flow-splitter tank for accurately dividing a flow of raw, untreated wastewater. The system is designed as an earthen basin or as a tank and includes at least one partitioning element for providing two connected wastewater treatment zones. The first wastewater treatment zone in the direction of wastewater flow has a larger volume and is more efficient in the removal of biological oxygen demand (BOD) than the second wastewater treatment zone. The flow-splitter tank divides the incoming wastewater flow into two streams, which are conducted to the first and second wastewater treatment zones, respectively. A predetermined ratio of carbon to nitrogen is maintained within an effluent pumped from the second wastewater treatment zone by adjusting the relative amount of raw wastewater added directly to the second wastewater treatment zone.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a device and method of dispensing biological solutions into a wastewater treatment system containing a floating mixer adapted to dispense biological solutions. The floating mixer with dispensing capabilities is strategically positioned within water holding areas, such as ponds or lagoons. The floating mixer and dispensing unit contain a flotation platform or other support structure, an impeller or similar device to create a flow pattern, and a dispensing device for controllably dispensing a microbial, preferably bacterial, solution.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for cleansing fuel processing effluent containing carbonaceous compounds and inorganic salts, the method comprising contacting the fuel processing effluent with an anode of a microbial fuel ell, the anode containing microbes thereon which oxidatively degrade one or more of the carbonaceous compounds while producing electrical energy from the oxidative degradation, and directing the produced electrical energy to drive an electrosorption mechanism that operates to reduce the concentration of one or more inorganic salts in the fuel processing effluent, wherein the anode is in electrical communication with a cathode of the microbial fuel cell. The invention is also directed to an apparatus for practicing the method.

Abstract: Treatment of waste water from a biomass-to-liquid process, said process comprising producing synthesis gas from biomass and conversion of said synthesis gas into liquid hydrocarbons by a Fisher-Tropsch process. The waste waters obtained are purified in common with waste waters from another industrial process to which said biomass-to-liquid process is integrated, such as in forestry, power and/or heat generation, waste incineration or a process in a metal-, petrochemical and/or oil refining industry. The biomass-to-liquid. process and said another industrial process may have a common feed water process unit, a common cooling water process unit and a common waste water treatment unit. The waste water treatment process may comprise a biological purification process and said Fischer-Tropsch process may utilize a cobalt catalyst. An integrated factory comprising a biomass-to-liquid plant and another industrial facility in which both plants are connected to a common waste water treatment facility is also described.

Abstract: Petroleum reservoir souring caused by microbially induced production of hydrogen sulphide and other sulphur compounds and the attendant corrosion are remediated by isolating bacteriophage specific for the problematic bacteria (target bacteria) and adding an effective amount of such bacteriophage to water introduced into or resident in the reservoir to kill at least some of the target bacteria. Suitable virulent bacteriophage may be indigenous in the water or located in surrounding areas or taken from a known banked stock. Means of concentrating solutions of bacteriophage are also disclosed.

Abstract: A treatment agent for salt-containing organic waste liquid, the treatment agent including: Scuticociliatida, wherein the treatment agent treats salt-containing organic waste liquid; and a treatment method for salt-containing organic waste liquid, the treatment method including: bringing Scuticociliatida and salt-containing organic waste liquid into contact with each other to treat the salt-containing organic waste liquid.

Abstract: This invention corresponds to a bacteria or preferably a yeast, which in its natural state presents a reduced tolerance to heavy metals, but when genetically transformed following this invention, with a vegetal-origin gene, presents high tolerance to heavy metals. Specifically, the cell in the invention is transformed with a vector that allows the expression of the AtHMA-1 gene of Arabidopsis thaliana, which codifies for a ATPase that may function as a heavy metal pump with great affinity in the intracellular space of the yeast, which confers this transformed cell a high capacity to remove heavy metals from aqueous solutions with high efficiency, so that this cell represents an improved alternative of great usefulness for biodepuration (bioremediation) of contaminated waters coming from industrial processes, and for the recovery of heavy metals intended for reutilization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an anaerobic reactor (10) for the treatment of industrial and other wastewaters at psychrophilic temperatures, the reactor comprising a mixing chamber (12) in which is located, during use, a granular sludge fluidised bed, the reactor further comprising a biofilm chamber (16) fed from the mixing chamber and housing a biofilm colonised pumice-based carrier material, and a separation chamber (18) in fluid communication with the biofilm chamber and in which treated effluent and biogas produced within the reactor are separated.

Abstract: A biofilter is provided. The biofilter comprises a housing; an inlet defining an upstream end of the housing; an outlet defining a downstream end of the housing; a chamber comprising an upstream opening and a downstream opening, the chamber configured to contain a filtration medium; and a counter flow generator for generating a counter flow of water in an upstream direction in the chamber. Related methods and systems are also provided.

Abstract: A microbial fuel cell for generating electricity. The microbial fuel cell includes an anode and a cathode electrically coupled to the anode. The anode is in contact with a first fluid including microorganisms capable of catalyzing the oxidation of ammonium. The anode is in contact with a second fluid including microorganisms capable of catalyzing the reduction of nitrite. The anode and the cathode may be housed in a single compartment, and the cathode may rotate with respect to the anode. The microbial fuel cell can be used to remove ammonium from wastewater, to generate electricity, or both.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for completely separating phosphate from a liquid and for recovering phosphate salts in a reactor, which is equipped with two groups of electrodes having differing polarities, wherein the sacrificial electrodes consist of a magnesium-containing material, and wherein said method comprises the following method steps: the application of a voltage to the electrodes; the continuous flow of the liquid through the reactor; the precipitation of phosphate salts from the liquid; and the settling of the crystals in the cone-shaped bottom of the reactor. For a galvanic procedure, no voltage is applied to the electrodes.

Abstract: A composite marine bacterial liquid for the synergic degradation of high-molecular-weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (HMW PAHs) and the preparation method thereof. The composite marine bacterial liquid is generated by mixing the fermented culture liquid of a stain of Cycloclasticus sp. PY97M and a stain of Marinobacter sp. D15-8W, the cell concentration of each is 107-109 CFU/mL. The preparation method includes: inoculating the seed liquid of Cycloclasticus strains and Marinobacter strains individually into the sodium acetate medium or M8 medium, fermenting under the condition of defoaming by flowing addition of defoamer, and mixing the fermented cultures to obtain the composite marine bacterial liquid, then preparing a 5-fold concentrated liquid by centrifuging and storing at 4° C.

Abstract: Low strength wastewater such as municipal sewage is treated using an anaerobic digester. In some examples, a wastewater stream is separated into a solids rich portion and a solids lean portion. The solids lean portion is treated, for example to remove nitrogen. The solids rich portion is treated in an anaerobic digester, preferably with influent or recuperative thickening. In another example, the wastewater stream is fed to an anaerobic digester and solid-liquid separation stages downstream of the di-gester return active bacteria and undigested organics to the digester. Both cases may use a process train comprising treatment in an anoxic tank followed by a nitritation tank with a portion of the effluent from the nitritation tank recirculated to the anoxic tank to provide nitritation and denitritation.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of capturing carbon by microbial fermentation of a gaseous substrate comprising CO. The methods of the invention include converting CO to one or more products including alcohols and/or acids and optionally capturing CO2 to improve overall carbon capture. In certain aspects, the invention relates to processes for producing alcohols, particularly ethanol, from industrial waste streams, particularly steel mill off-gas.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention involve methods and systems for preselecting, adapting, and preconditioning one or more species of photosynthetic organisms, such as algae, to specific environmental and/or operating conditions to which the photosynthetic organisms will subsequently be exposed during utilization in a photobioreactor apparatus of a gas treatment system. Also disclosed are new algal strains and cultures that can be produced by practicing the preselection, adaption, and preconditioning methods.