Abstract: A waste processing system includes: an input module for converting input organic waste into processed input waste; a digester module, coupled to the input module, for generating biogas and digester effluent from the processed input waste, including: a digester tank; baffles affixed within the digester tank; a digester process solution in the digester tank including, hydrolytic bacteria, acidogenic bacteria, acetogenic bacteria, methanogenic bacteria, or a combination thereof, for converting the processed input waste into the biogas and the digester effluent; and an output module, coupled to the digester module, for collecting the biogas and digester effluent after a residence period.

Abstract: The present application relates to a high-rate anaerobic pool bioreactor (“BLAAT”) as an improved processing unit for treating biodegradable wastewater, which allows the conversion of a low-performance rate traditional system, such as the anaerobic pool, into an efficient, compact system that enables clean energy to be recovered in the from of biogas. The application also describes a process for the anaerobic treatment of wastewater that uses said bioreactor, which optimizes the processes of mixing and contact between the biomass and the substrate and presents a novel process for separating out the biomass by means of improved sedimentation in horizontal laminar flow.

Abstract: Novel methods and systems for efficient and economic treatment of wastewater, and other fluidized and solid organic wastes, comprise heating the aerobic digestion process with waste heat given off by the generation of power fueled by the biogas by-product of a co-located anaerobic digestion process. Other power generation processes may be utilized for supplying supplemental waste heat.

Abstract: A system for producing secondary food product from primary food product waste is disclosed that comprises several modular subsections: a staging subsystem, a processing subsystem, a drying subsystem, and a pelletization subsystem. Each subsystem, and the connections between subsystems, are sealed such that the food product being processed is isolated from the general environment. Product is dried by the dryer in such a way that it emerges from the dryer at a desired moisture content level and at ambient temperature. A moisture sensor may provide control data to a controller that in turn controls product throughput to obtain a desired moisture content level. High nutritional content and long lifespan of the processed product can be maintained, while reducing the weight of the final product. One or more of the subsystems may be portable and configured for convenient connection and disconnection to mating subsystems, and to facilitate permitting for portable operation.

Abstract: A method for improved anaerobic digestion is presented. The method includes mixing a volume of waste material with water to form a feedstock mixture. The volume of waste material includes an initial amount of biomass and the feedstock mixture includes methanogenic bacteria either naturally present in the waste material or introduced artificially. The method also includes introducing one or more promoter substances to the feedstock mixture. The one or more promoter substances are capable of modifying the methanogenic bacteria. Modifying includes stimulating novel enzyme production in the methanogenic bacteria.

Abstract: An anaerobic digester is fed a feedstock, for example sludge from a municipal wastewater treatment plant, and produces a digestate. The digestate is dewatered into a cake. The cake may be dried further, for example in a thermal drier. The cake is treated in a pyrolysis system to produce a synthesis gas and biochar. The gas is sent to the same or another digester to increase its methane production. The char may be used as a soil enhancer.

Abstract: Constructed wetland wastewater treatment equipment under low temperature for continuous operation which includes: three-section substrates filled in a constructed wetland, ventilation pipes being arranged in the substrates, a height of a bed of the constructed wetland being higher than a height of the substrates; a double wall being filled with an organic substance used as a barrier at periphery of the constructed wetland; a water distributing pipe disposed at a top of the three-section substrates and a water collecting pipe disposed at a bottom of the three-section substrates; and a water inlet pipe connected to an upper portion at one end of the three-section substrates and a water outlet pipe connected to a lower portion at the other end of the three-section substrates, a water outlet of the water outlet pipe being higher than the height of the bed of the constructed wetland.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for sludge treatment, comprising the following steps: (1) mixing a sludge feed from a sewage biotreatment process with a first mixed liquor to obtain a second mixed liquor; (2) subjecting the second mixed liquor to an oxygen-supplying process to obtain a third mixed liquor; (3) subjecting the third mixed liquor to an anoxic process to obtain a fourth mixed liquor; (4) separating the fourth mixed liquor to obtain a supernatant liquid and a first concentrated mixed liquor; (5) discharging the supernatant liquid, and returning at least a part of the first concentrated mixed liquor as the first mixed liquor to the step (1), wherein the amount of sludge of the first concentrated mixed liquor that does not return to the step (1) is less than the amount of sludge of the sludge feed. The present invention further relates to the use of the method for sludge treatment in sewage treatment. The method for sludge treatment can achieve a long term stable run without sludge discharge.

Abstract: An organic waste processing system and method for producing a slurry for the production of bio-gas, transportation fuels and chemical products, and a residual solid.

Abstract: The invention relates to an anaerobic water purification system, conversion kit and method for treating a liquid. The anaerobic water purification system according to the invention comprises: -a container for the liquid for treatment provided during use with a sludge bed; -a supply conduit operatively connected to the container for supplying the liquid for treatment; -a distribution system connected to the supply conduit for distributing the liquid over the sludge bed from above; -carrier material which is arranged during use in the container and to which anaerobic sludge material can attach; and -a gas roof arranged at or on the container and provided with a volume which can be adapted during use to the biogas production. The carrier material is preferably free-floating material. The discharge conduit for discharge of treated liquid is preferably connected to a riser pipe.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for biomass digestion and products formed thereof. The products include one or more biogases, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classified Class A Biosolids, and pathogen reduced organic liquid fertilizer. Through the digestion of waste materials using sequential phases in an efficient digestion process, enhanced biomass conversion efficiency and improved output of products (in quantity and/or quality) are obtained with a significant reduction in dwell time in each phase.

Abstract: Procedure using zeolite, clinoptilolite type in an upflow anaerobic reactor and sludge blanket (UASBs) in order to obtain granular active sludge, thereby improving the density of the sludge, and thereby, their settling properties, and increase of biomass within reactor by immobilizing microorganisms, to achieve an increase in the efficiency of the removal of organic material and the production of biogas (60-70% methane) in more than 20% over the same type reactor used so far without zeolite, enabling the use of such reactor for treating wastewater with a high concentration of proteins, amino acids and other nitrogen compounds and which prevents the accumulation of nitrogen, which is toxic to the process by allowing zeolite-clinoptilolite, the exchange with alkali and alkaline earth found in specific points of the crystal structure of clinoptilolite by ammonia nitrogen, and also preventing the development of filamentous bacteria, which are difficult to hold up within the reactor and reduces its efficiency.

Abstract: A method of treating wastewater containing an organic compound includes feeding wastewater to an anoxic tank, adding compounds containing nitrogen and phosphorus components to wastewater, performing anaerobic treatment on wastewater, and discharging treated wastewater as pre-treated water; introducing pre-treated water into an anaerobic treatment tank, performing anaerobic treatment on pre-treated water, thereby decomposing the organic compound into organic compounds of smaller molecular size and a mixture gas containing methane and carbon dioxide, and discharging treated water as primary water; introducing primary water into an aerobic treatment tank, performing aerobic treatment on primary water, and discharging treated water through a solid-liquid separator as secondary water; and introducing at least a part of secondary water into a reverse osmosis membrane separation unit, and separating part of secondary water into RO permeated water and RO concentrated brine, wherein at least a part of RO concentrated

Abstract: A digester with separate stages for hydrolysis and methanogenesis is disclosed. The digester includes a leachate bay reactor, which may be configured as modular, multi-bay units. Waste material is added to the leachate bay reactor. A leachate storage tank is fluidically connected to the leachate bay reactor, which facilitates hydrolysis. Leachate from the leachate storage tank is recirculated through the leachate bay reactor. A high rate methanogenic reactor is fluidically connected to the leachate storage tank to cycle the leachate in a fixed film environment for biogas production from solubilized organic matter. The reactor may be operated in an anaerobic digestion mode, or a dual aerobic-anaerobic digestion mode. The reactor may also include a struvite system having a crystallizer unit and a separation unit to reduce ammonium and phosphate accumulation during operation.

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: The invention relates to a fermenter for generating biogas from pumpable organic material with a low content of organic dry matter (oTS), comprising at least one inlet for the pumpable organic material, at least one fixed bed reactor for the pumpable organic material with at least one primary and one secondary section and at least one outlet the remaining fermentation residue. Furthermore, the fermenter can optionally comprises at least one sedimentation chamber for the pumpable organic material, arranged between the primary and secondary sections and at least one recycling section connected to the sedimentation chamber and designed such that specific lighter fractions of the pumpable organic material can be recovered and reintroduced to the rising (primary) section of the fixed bed reactor or a preceding or subsequent conventional fermenter.

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 method for recovering phosphate from sewage treatment plants using multi-stage anaerobic digestion includes the treatment of organic acid digest with calcium hydroxide, calcium oxide, and similar compounds to raise pH to near neutral values and precipitate calcium phosphate compounds such as brushite and similar amorphous compounds. The method includes the formation of calcium phosphates on weak-acid ion exchange columns and membranes in contact with organic acid digest. The system includes removal of the calcium phosphate compounds formed by sedimentation, either static or against an upwelling flow, centrifugation, or filtration.

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: 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: The method and apparatus for the solid wastes automatic collection pipeline transportation and comprehensive utilization contemplated to reach a easily dropping, automatically collecting, discharging, transporting of all kinds of the solid wastes, getting the plastic package free renewable waste for recycle. The disclosed method and apparatus comprise going toward and near the multiple waste fluidizing collectors set indoor and outdoor, automatically opening the lid of the collector, putting the wastes into the specified containers according to the requirement of the waste recycle program, respectively fluidizing all kinds of the solid wastes into flowable particle and jam to satisfy the pipeline transportation, the multiple waste fluidizing collector in the invention is designed to receive, deposit the wastes and change the solid waste from solid into liquid, that leads to the solid waste automatic collection, transportation and getting the plastic package free, renewable uniform waste for recycle.

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

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for treating wastewater to simultaneously remove nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus, while recovering energy in the form of methane and carbon dioxide. An ammonia-containing stream is directed to a pretreatment tank that produces excess sludge, biogas, and a pretreated stream. The pretreated stream has at least 45% less carbon than the ammonia-containing stream. The pretreated stream is then directed to an anoxic tank, which promotes phosphorus release and fermentation of particulate and dissolved organic matter. The mixed liquor is transferred to an aerated tank having low dissolved oxygen concentrations to promote development of phosphorus-release bacteria that is eventually recycled to the anoxic tank by way of the return activated sludge. Simultaneous nitrification, denitrification, and phosphorus release occur in the aerated tank. A membrane tank separates treated effluent from activated sludge in a membrane tank.

Abstract: A three stage, multiple phase anaerobic digestion system and method designed to separate the biological phases, optimize microbial activity in each phase, and significantly increase system reliability and energy production. The system physically separates the biological phases of anaerobic digestion based on particle size, particle density, and solubility of metabolic products. The system allows a complex multi-phased biological system to develop without the need for excessive control or operator intervention.

Abstract: An anaerobic water purification system including an anaerobic water purification unit receiving water to be treated and providing an anaerobic-treated water output and biomass carriers for supporting anaerobic microorganisms in the anaerobic water purification unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing anaerobic digestion of biomaterials using a clarifier, a batch reactor, and/or a digester are disclosed. The clarifier performs pretreatment processing of biomaterial to improve anaerobic digestion. The batch reactor and/or the digester are coupled to the clarifier and are configured to digest the processed biomaterial. A control system for an anaerobic digestion process includes a flow control system, a temperature control system, and a totalization system. The flow control system controls the flow of biomaterial and the delivery of chemical agents to the biomaterial based on conductivity, temperature, pressure, and/or composition of the biomaterial. The temperature control system includes a heat source and heat exchangers that control the temperature of the biomaterial.

Abstract: The invention, belongs to the field of wastewater treatment technology, is a two-phase anaerobic reactor enhanced by addition of zero valent iron (ZVI). In the reactor, 2˜4 ZVI-filling layers are settled in the middle of the anaerobic hydrolysis-acidification tank, the effluent of which is fed into the rear anaerobic methanogenic tank. The degradation of organics is effectively enhanced in the anaerobic hydrolysis-acidification tank with dosing of ZVI, which may produce more acetic acid that is a desired substrate for the subsequent methanogenesis. Meanwhile, the acidic environment of the hydrolysis-acidification tank is helpful for the dissolution of ZVI to maintain its activity. The reactor is reasonably designed with high performance and strong shock resistance in anaerobic treatment of various wastewaters. Tests in lab-scale showed that hydrolysis-acidification and methanogenesis in this combined system were significantly improved compared with a reference reactor without addition of ZVI.

Abstract: A waste stream having anaerobically biodegradable components is fed to an anaerobic reactor where the components react with microorganisms to biodegrade the components and produce biomass and biogas. Mixing occurs in select portions of the anaerobic reactor, particularly the bottom and top portions of the reactor. Relatively heavy solids settle to the bottom and are mixed with the mixed liquor while relatively light or fine solids float to the top portion of the anaerobic reactor where they are mixed with the mixed liquor. Mixed liquor is pumped from an intermediate portion of the anaerobic reactor to a membrane separation unit where the mixed liquor is separated into a permeate stream and a retentate stream that is concentrated with solids.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for recovering thermal energy from boiler stack exhaust gases and using the thermal energy in biomaterial processing. The apparatus and method include means to improve the boiler's operation and reduce emission of certain regulated compounds.

Abstract: A multistage anaerobic digester for treatment of wastewater including complex organic polymers, includes a hydrolysis stage converting the complex organic polymers received at an inlet to solubilized monomers at an outlet; an acidogenesis stage, coupled to the outlet of the hydrolysis stage, converting the solubilized monomers into intermediate products at an outlet of the acidogenesis stage; an acetogenesis stage, coupled to the outlet of the acidogenesis stage, converting the intermediate products into simple molecules at an outlet of the acetogenesis stage; and a methanogenesis stage, coupled to the outlet of the acidogenesis stage, converting the simple molecules to an end product, the end product including a quantity of methane and a quantity of carbon dioxide.

Abstract: Process for the biological treatment of organic wastes, includes a first anaerobic digestion phase and a second aerobic digestion phase in succession, a respective filtration phase of the solid substance being provided between the two digestion phases, a separation phase of the biogas released in the anaerobic digestion phase and a nitrogen recovery phase from the exhaust gases rich in ammoniac substances separated from the aerobic digestion phase. The solid substance coming from each of the filtration phases is separately returned to the respective digestion phase, while the liquid phase coming from the filtration phase downstream of the anaerobic digestion phase is sent to aerobic phase. In the nitrogen recovery phase the gaseous current consisting of exhaust gases rich in ammoniac substances is treated with a solution of carbonic acid supplied in countercurrent in a first gas/liquid contactor to obtain a mixture of nitrogen salts (ammonium bicarbonate, ammonium carbonate, etc.).

Abstract: A three phase separator or settling device (2) or a digester (1) including the settling device. The settling device can receive a fluid containing liquid, gas and particulate material. The settling device includes a settling chamber to be filled with this fluid. The device can also include a liquid-discharge (5) for discharging liquid from the settling chamber and fitted close to the liquid level (30), a fluid inlet (6) for supplying the fluid into the settling chamber (3), a particulate material separation device (7) and a sludge outlet (8). A flow of fluid is provided into and out of the settling device and settling chamber. The inlet includes a gas separation device (4) for separating gas from the fluid including channels, the inlet positioned close to the fluid level. The inlet and transition (75) into the settling chamber is arranged to create a pre-separated flow pattern including a generally laminar liquid flow.

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: A system for digesting biodigestible feed that preferably includes the steps of comminuting the feed, introducing feed, an oxygen-containing gas, an accelerant, and bacteria into a digestion zone, the bacteria being suitable for digesting the feed under aerobic, anaerobic, and anoxic conditions. The contents of the digestion zone can be changed from aerobic operation to either anoxic or anaerobic operation, or vice versa, without changing the bacteria in the digestion zone.

Abstract: An anaerobic waste treatment apparatus comprises a container wherein randomly oriented bio-film media are disposed. An example waste treatment apparatus includes a container and optionally has at least two zones of bio-film media that are disposed within the container. In one example, the bio-film media includes torus-shaped materials, or other materials with voids therein, and the container is a dug out portion of earth. Moreover, the anaerobic waste treatment apparatus may additionally comprise a waste pump that is coupled to a waste pipe and configured to introduce waste into the container at one or more locations. When two zones are included, one zone may be randomly oriented, while a proximate zone may be substantially horizontal and/or an organized zone. The random zone may also have a transition layer thereon that supports the organized zone or that provides an interface between the organized and random zones.

Abstract: A method and system for treating domestic sewage and organic garbage are provided. The method comprises the steps of: multi-phase separation, retting, generating sewage gas, and optional biological denitrification and dephosphorization, which can convert the domestic sewage and organic garbage into clear water, sewage gas, organic manure and sludge. The system comprises a multi-phase separation device, a retting device, a sewage gas generating device and a biological denitrification and dephosphorization device, which can treat the domestic sewage and organic garbage effectively and environmental friendly to achieve a reduction in pollution emission.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for treating wastewater to simultaneously remove nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus, while recovering energy in the form of methane and carbon dioxide. An ammonia-containing stream is directed to a pretreatment tank that produces excess sludge, biogas, and a pretreated stream. The pretreated stream has at least 45% less carbon than the ammonia-containing stream. The pretreated stream is then directed to an anoxic tank, which promotes phosphorus release and fermentation of particulate and dissolved organic matter. The mixed liquor is transferred to an aerated tank having low dissolved oxygen concentrations to promote development of phosphorus-release bacteria that is eventually recycled to the anoxic tank by way of the return activated sludge. Simultaneous nitrification, denitrification, and phosphorus release occur in the aerated tank. A membrane tank separates treated effluent from activated sludge in a membrane tank.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method in which a microbial fuel cell (MFC) is used in order to produce electrical power while also either eliminating heavy metals or recovering precious metals from wastewater containing the heavy metals or the precious metals, and, more particularly, the invention has advantages including effective elimination of Hg2+ or any other heavy metals in the form of a solid precipitate or deposit of Hg or Hg2Cl2 or any other such deposits or effective recovery of Ag or any other precious metals in the form of solid precipitates or deposits, and incidentally, power is produced, by-products are rendered harmless and long-term economic operation is achieved.

Abstract: A method enhancing biological digestion of wastewater sludge is provided. The method uses chlorine dioxide to accelerate and improve the efficiency of aerobic or anaerobic digestion.

Abstract: A reactor for anaerobically purifying waste water, such as waste water from the paper industry, includes a reactor vessel that has at least one inlet for supplying waste water to be purified into the reactor, at least one outlet for discharging purified water, at least one sediment filter and at least two multi-phase separator devices arranged on top of one another.

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 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 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: This wastewater treatment system is constituted by being provided with a solid-liquid separator 2 that separates the liquid portion and the solid portion from organic wastewater, a first anaerobic treatment tank 4 that carries out anaerobic treatment of the liquid portion separated by the solid-liquid separator 2 and obtains processed water that has passed through a filter mechanism 3 from sludge, a second anaerobic treatment tank 5 that carries out anaerobic treatment of the solid portion separated by the solid-liquid separator 2, and a sludge supply mechanism 6 that supplies the sludge in the second anaerobic treatment tank 5 to the first anaerobic treatment tank 4, and the filter mechanism functions stably without increasing the size of the anaerobic treatment tanks.

Abstract: The invention discloses systems and methods for producing a gas stream containing ozone and a “carrier” or sweep gas that has an oxygen concentration that is below a predetermined percentage for treatment of organic waste feed stocks in an anaerobic digester. In one embodiment, ozone and unreacted oxygen from an ozone generator are delivered to a pressure swing adsorption cycle, wherein the ozone is adsorbed onto a sieve and the excess oxygen is removed from the cycle. The sweep gas, which has a limited oxygen concentration, is then used to desorb the ozone from the pressure swing adsorption cycle and deliver the ozone to an anaerobic digester, where the ozone is used to treat the feed stock.

Abstract: A gas bubble agitated mixing system for viscous fluids comprising: a container (1) in which a viscous fluid (2) may be held; one or more gas pipes (6), each gas pipe having an outlet (8) arranged to introduce gas bubbles (9) into the base region of the container (1), said gas bubbles (9) being of a size suitable to agitate the viscous fluid (2). The system also comprises a moveable carrier arm (4) upon which said one or more gas pipe outlets (8) are mounted; and wherein the movement of the carrier arm (4) causes the position at which each outlet (8) introduces gas bubbles (9) into the container (1) to vary over time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reactor for the purification of influent water by means of anaerobic microorganisms comprising at least one separator which is configured so as to separate a three phase mixture withdrawn from the reactor into three phases, namely into sludge, water and gas.

Abstract: A method for recovering phosphate from sewage treatment plants using multi-stage anaerobic digestion includes the treatment of organic acid digest with calcium hydroxide, calcium oxide, and similar compounds to raise pH to near neutral values and precipitate calcium phosphate compounds such as brushite and similar amorphous compounds. The method includes the formation of calcium phosphates on weak-acid ion exchange columns and membranes in contact with organic acid digest. The system includes removal of the calcium phosphate compounds formed by sedimentation, either static or against an upwelling flow, centrifugation, or filtration.

Abstract: In an anaerobic membrane bioreactor (“MBR”), a closed anaerobic process tank contains a membrane filter or is connected to an external tank containing a membrane filter. A pocket of biogas accumulates at the top of the process tank. Biogas is taken from the pocket, pumped to the bottom of the membrane filter to provide bubbles to inhibit membrane fouling, and returned to the pocket. Excess biogas produced as the wastewater is degraded is removed from the system and may be used as a product. However, biogas and liquid are maintained in the system at a pressure above atmospheric, for example 10 kPa or more above atmospheric pressure, sufficient to provide at least a material contribution to the transmembrane pressure driving permeation through the membranes. The overall energy requirements of the system may be reduced. Further, with sufficient pressure, suction pumps attached to the membranes may not be required.

Abstract: The methods are utilized to recover ammonium from waste water using CO2 acidified absorption water. The process is particularly suited for utilization of cellular matter and a CO2 rich tail gas from a syngas fermentation process and derives significant benefit from the recovery of ammonium bicarbonate and ammonium carbonate. Ammonia and ammonium are recovered from the treatment of the syngas as an ammonium rich solution, at least a portion of which is recycled to the fermentation zone to aid in the production of liquid products. A carbon dioxide rich gas produced by fermentation is used to capture the ammonia and ammonium, forming the ammonium rich solution.