Abstract: The invention relates to a reactor for anaerobically purifying waster water, especially waste water from the paper industry, comprising a reactor vessel, several inlets arranged in the bottom region of the reactor vessel to feed waste water to be purified into the reactor, at least one outlet for discharging purified water, and at least one sediment drain. One or more inlets are fed by a supply pipe, and several supply pipes are fed by a collecting supply pipe. In order to ensure that waste water to be purified is fed as regularly as possible at the bottom of the reactor vessel, at least the majority of the supply pipes of a collecting supply pipe supply waste water to be purified to a maximum of 10 inlets, and at least the majority of said supply pipes each have a control valve.

Abstract: A renewable energy microgeneration system is disclosed. The system comprises one or more portable containers that include a plurality of small holding tanks that are configured to perform at least one of pasteurization and thermophilic anaerobic digestion on waste, a large holding tank that is configured to perform mesophilic anaerobic digestion on the waste after at least one of pasteurization and thermophilic anaerobic digestion is performed, and a de-watering unit that is configured to dry what remains of the waste after mesophilic anaerobic digestion is performed. The system further comprises a controller for automatically moving the waste between the plurality of small holding tanks, the large holding tank, and the de-watering unit as required to facilitate mesophilic anaerobic digestion in the large holding tank. Further, the portable containers are configured to be transported to a site and placed in fluid communication with each other at the site.

Abstract: A use of calcium oxide-cement kiln dust (CaO-CKD) for anaerobic granulation of palm oil mill effluent. A process to produce biogas from palm oil mill effluent using calcium oxide-cement kiln dust (CaO-CKD) wherein steps include inoculating palm oil mill effluent sludge in a reactor, conducting anaerobic digestion on the sludge and conducting anaerobic granulation of palm oil mill effluent.

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: Methods and systems for processing organic waste material are provided. These methods and systems include integrating an anaerobic bio-digester and nutrient recovery module with a bio-production facility, which can locally provide feedstock for the bio-production facility, and can locally provide organic material for the anaerobic bio-digester. Methods and systems for integrating an anaerobic bio-digester with a gas cleaner are also provided, which can recover nutrients while cleaning the biogas produced by the anaerobic bio-digester.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an anaerobic digester configured to include input reactors into which livestock wastewater or food waste (hereinafter, ‘inflow’) is introduced; regions of an anaerobic digestion reactor designed for the inflow passing through an input reactor to perform methane fermentation to produce and transfer biogas simultaneously into the next region; an inlet pipe into which sludge liquid is drawn; an inlet pipe into which activated liquid is drawn; a biogas capturing device; a first heat exchange tube to allow the sludge liquid to perform heat exchange with a new inflow; regions of a subsequent treatment reactor to allow the sludge liquid whose heat exchange is completed to be introduced and to treat gas odor components generated from the sludge liquid; and a liquid-composting reactor in which the emitted sludge whose odor components have been removed is stored.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the treatment of lipid-extracted algae biomass and recycling nutrients are provided. The lipid-extracted algae biomass is hydrolyzed prior to anaerobic digestion, and the products generated by anaerobic digestion are further processed to yield by-products that are of use either for external use or as process inputs to carry out specific steps within an integrated algal growth and anaerobic digestion process designed to minimize economic costs, required costly inputs while improving upon system capabilities.

Abstract: A method of producing methane, an organic based fertilizer and usable water from animal waste includes the step of separating the animal waste into liquid waste and solid waste. The solid waste is subjected to anaerobic digestion to produce methane and a wet by-product. The wet by-product is pressed to into a filter cake which is pelletized into the organic based fertilizer. The liquid waste is clarified to produce a supernatant and a sludge which is pressed into a filter cake together with the wet by-product. Ammonia is extracted from the supernatant to produce ammonium sulfate and an aqueous solution. The aqueous solution is filtered to produce a concentrate and water filtrate. The water filtrate may be used as drinking or washing water. The ammonium sulfate and concentrate may be used to supplement to the solid waste which is pelletized into the organic based fertilizer. In alternative embodiments a portion of the supernatant and aqueous solution may be used as a liquid fertilizer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fermenter (10) for producing biogas from organic material, having a fermentation chamber (11) with a substantially round basal surface to receive fermentation material; arranged, in the peripheral region of the fermentation chamber, filling means (12) for substrate to be fermented; arranged, above the fermentation chamber, an unpressurized gas store (13) with gas discharging means (14); stirring means (15); a settling chamber (16) with overflow rim; and also pumping means (17) for the continuous or batchwise removal of fermentation material from the fermentation chamber and introduction into the settling chamber.

Abstract: An exemplary method of treating nitrogen-contaminated wastewaters, especially those with high ammonia concentrations, according to the invention includes the steps of ammonia degassing and recapture, and of nutrient assimilation with microalgae. Organic nitrogen, organic carbon, phosphorus, heavy metals and other compounds may also be removed in different embodiments of the invention. Examples of applicable wastewaters include landfill leachate, municipal solid waste anaerobic digester effluent, agricultural anaerobic digester effluent, municipal wastewaters, agricultural wastewaters, and other similarly contaminated wastewaters.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for selective production of hydrogen and methane from a biomass feedstock in a reactor vessel maintained under anaerobic conditions by controlling moisture concentration in the reactor vessel. The method comprises the steps of introducing a biomass feedstock into the reactor vessel maintained under anaerobic conditions; introducing a bacterial inoculum into the reactor vessel to facilitate digestion of the biomass feedstock; setting a moisture concentration of the contents of the reactor vessel at a first moisture level; and collecting hydrogen gas from the reactor vessel. The method may further comprise maintaining the moisture concentration at a first moisture level or within a first moisture range. The method may additionally comprise increasing the moisture concentration of the contents of the reactor vessel to a second moisture concentration; and collecting methane gas from the reactor vessel.

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 renewable energy microgeneration system is disclosed.

Abstract: An integrated bioreactor and its applications as well as a method for treatment of highly-concentrated organic wastewater using the same. The integrated bioreactor with a concentric columnar structure includes an inner layer and an outer layer, in which the inner layer is an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) and the outer layer is a moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR). The effluent of the MBBR is recycled into UASB via a reflux pump mounted between a water tank and the integrated bioreactor. A water outlet of the UASB is arranged with an on-line pH monitor and a mechanical agitation device is arranged on the top of a bottom water distributor. The bioreactor is low in cost, features friendly maintenance, stable operation, and high degree of automation, and can be applied under low temperature.

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: Disclosed is a system for renovating process water, especially during the production of paper. Said system comprises at least one process water renovation unit, at least one of which is provided with an anaerobic reactor spiked with anaerobic microorganisms as well as a lime elimination unit. Also disclosed is a method for renovating process water, particularly during the production of paper, which encompasses at least one process water renovation step in which at least some of the process water continuously delivered to the process water renovation step is subjected to a purification step in an anaerobic reactor that is spiked with anaerobic microorganisms and to a deliming step.

Abstract: The bioconversion of gas feedstreams to liquid products by direct contact with a layer of microorganism obtains enhanced productivity through the regular cycling of liquid across a substrate that supports a biolayer of microorganisms while separating the gas and liquid phases. Such processes produce liquid products such as ethanol, butanol and other chemicals from syngas components by contacting CO or a mixture of CO2 and H2 with a highly porous side of an asymmetric membrane under anaerobic conditions and transferring these components into contact with microorganisms contained within bio-pores of the membrane. A periodic laving of liquid from the liquid contact side to and away from the microorganisms can increase nutrient flow to the microorganisms while enhancing the recovery of liquid products.

Abstract: An integrated bioreactor and its applications as well as a method for treatment of highly-concentrated organic wastewater using the same. The integrated bioreactor with a concentric columnar structure includes an inner layer and an outer layer, in which the inner layer is an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) and the outer layer is a moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR). The effluent of the MBBR is recycled into UASB via a reflux pump mounted between a water tank and the integrated bioreactor. A water outlet of the UASB is arranged with an on-line pH monitor and a mechanical agitation device is arranged on the top of a bottom water distributor. The bioreactor is low in cost, features friendly maintenance, stable operation, and high degree of automation, and can be applied under low temperature.

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: A biogas generator employs an anaerobic digestion process to convert organic waste material within a sealed reservoir to a biogas. A solar thermal panel connected to the reservoir heats a fluid traveling through a conduit, which is connected to a heat exchanger within the reservoir. The heated fluid travels through the heat exchanger and heats the waste material to facilitate the anaerobic digestion process. Solar cells produce electricity to operate one or more pumps that pump the heated fluid through the conduit, and pump the waste material and the generated biogas, into and out of the reservoir. A rotating lid structure has elongated agitators which extend into the reservoir.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for anaerobic treatment of material having a solids concentration greater than 15% in a digester in the form of a sealed tank (1) equipped with means (2) for supplying material to be treated and means (3) for discharging digested material and also vertical homogenization means (6) in the form of injectors for injecting a gaseous fluid into the bottom (7) of the tank (1). Through distribution in the tank (1) of the material supply means (2) relative to the discharge means (3) and using vertical homogenization means (6) that guarantee the homogeneity of the material treated by vertical sectors (8) in the tank, conferred on the material in the tank (1) is a forced unidirectional circulation that is uniform throughout the entire cross section of this tank, and along one substantially horizontal component, between said supply means (2) and said discharge means (3). The invention also relates to an installation for implementing such a process.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for removing dissolved hydrogen sulfide, including an anaerobic treatment tank (1) that anaerobically treats organic discharged water, a circulation water tank (3), means for introducing organic discharged water into circulation water, a treated-water tank (4) that temporarily stores anaerobically treated water, a biological desulfurization tower (5) that desulfurizes biogas formed by anaerobic treatment, air feeding means for feeding air to the biological desulfurization tower (5), water feeding means for feeding water to the biological desulfurization tower (5), first aerating means (9a) for blowing a part of biologically desulfurized gas from the biological desulfurization tower (5), into the treated-water tank (4), and second aerating means (9b) for blowing exhaust gas discharged from the treated-water tank (4) into a solution circulating between the anaerobic treatment tank (1) and circulation water tank (3).

Abstract: In a wastewater treatment plant using methane gas, a by-product of anaerobic sludge digestion, to generate energy in a combustor to run the plant, a system for collecting the gas stream from the plant biological process and feeding the gas stream, containing nitrous oxide emissions, into the combustor. The nitrous oxide is thermally reduced down to nitrogen (N2) and oxygen (O2).

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a biomass conversion subsystem produces methane and/or alcohol and residual biomass. A pyrolysis or a gasification subsystem is used to produce thermal energy and/or process gasses. The thermal energy may be stored thermal energy in the form of a pyrolysis oil. A fuel conversion subsystem produces liquid hydrocarbon fuels from the methane and/or alcohol using thermal energy and/or process gasses produced by the gasification or pyrolysis subsystem. Because the biomass production system integrates the residual products from biomass conversion and the residual thermal energy from pyrolysis or gasification, the overall efficiency of the integrated biomass production system is greatly enhanced.

Abstract: A method of treating thin stillage from an ethanol production process that includes in a digester, treating thin stillage from the ethanol production process using anaerobic digestion to produce an ammonia-rich liquid product. During anaerobic digestion of the thin stillage, with a solids/liquids separation system of the digester, the ammonia-rich liquid product may be separated from a mixed liquor to produce a permeate. At least a portion of the permeate from the solids/liquids separation system of the digester may be recycled directly to the ethanol production process. A mesophilic anaerobic digester with a thin stillage COD loading rate of about 3 kg/m3/d to at least about 7.5 kg/m3d. An anaerobic biomass prepared by a method that includes subjecting the biomass to at least one stress event.

Abstract: An electrical generating assembly 10 which may be selectively used in combination with and/or as part of a municipal wastewater treatment facility 12 and which allows the wastewater treatment facility 12 to generate electrical energy 48, 62, 13 as received wastewater 14 is cleaned according to a plurality of diverse energy generating strategies.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of treating a source water containing at least one toxin is provided, the method comprising: (i) exposing a source water to a gas comprising ozone under a condition that promotes an interaction between the toxin and the ozone; and then (ii) subjecting the treated source water to a biological treatment.

Abstract: Processes for microbial digestion of organic material, and preparation of substrates for microbial digestion, suitable for the production of biomethane, from municipal and industrial waste water or from municipal or agricultural waste. In addition, a method for identifying a composition of matter that is suitable for microbial digestion, more particularly anaerobic digestion and/or mixed aerobic and anaerobic digestion. Also, a system and process for detoxifying organic wastes, such as those which may be present in waste water from industrial processes.

Abstract: A three-phase separator for separating gas and solids from a three-phase mixture containing liquid, gas and solids includes an inlet region for the three-phase mixture, an outlet for a fraction rich in solids, an outlet for liquid, a first separator for separating gas from the three-phase mixture, forming a two-phase mixture which contains liquid and solids, and a second separator for separating solids from the two-phase mixture formed in the first separator, the first separator and the second separator in each case having at least one plate block each having at least three mutually parallel plates, between which a flow channel is formed in each case, the first separator being configured such that the mixture entering through the inlet region is led from top to bottom in the at least two flow channels, relative to the vertical, the second separator being configured and arranged in relation to the first separator such that the two-phase mixture emerging from the first separator enters the at least two flow cha

Abstract: An agricultural waste digester and biogas generation system. The system includes a digester assembly having a cylindrical body, a hollow interior, a center axis and a plurality of wheel segments within the interior of the digester assembly. A gas conduit extends from the interior of the digester assembly to a power generation device. Also included is a water vessel containing water, and each of the plurality of wheel segments have an acruate, contoured surface area which restrict biogas movement within the digester assembly to produce induced agitation of agricultural waste.

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: A waste management and resource recovery system that uses the different waste streams from typical waste sources as fuel or feedstock for its subsystems that, in turn, produce fuel, feedstock or energy for other subsystems such that all the different waste streams are effectively managed. The subsystems include a gas burner for solid and fuel wastes that supplies heat to a hydrothermal processor for saccharification of paper and cardboard. The resulting saccharification broth, along with kitchen wastes and blackwater, are supplied to a bioreactor using dark fermentation to produce hydrogen and volatile fatty acids. The hydrogen and volatile fatty acids are supplied to hydrogen and microbial fuel cells to produce electrical energy for operating the system and potable water. A steam accumulator is added to provide sufficient temperatures and pressures to reach the necessary thermodynamic states for the saccharification process.

Abstract: An apparatus for the anaerobic digestion of solid waste is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pre-digestion treatment chamber and an anaerobic digester chamber coupled to the pre-digestion treatment chamber. A liquid suspension of solid waste is pretreated under aerobic conditions by heating to a desired pre-digestion temperature. One or more chemical or biological additives are added to the suspension of solid waste to improve the anaerobic digestibility of the solid waste. This may include enzymes to destruct poorly digestible solids and/or materials to provide a desired C:N ratio in the solid waste. The apparatus may include mixers, heaters, chemical or biological additives as needed, various sensors and probes, and a control system to monitor and control the anaerobic digestion process and maintain microbial health of the digester.

Abstract: The inventions add a modified phase separator in the main line of a wastewater treatment process for enhanced BOD and nutrient removal with a membrane system. In addition, treatment methods and systems are described for high flux membrane filtration to meet secondary and tertiary treatment standards. Phase separation and membrane filtration techniques are employed to create concentrated return solids that are recycled in low flow volumes to reduce equipment sizing, reduce the physical space required for treatment and save energy costs without reducing treatment performance.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and system for the production of biogas, 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: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for production of bio-gas, capable of improving quality of a raw material to be fed thereto. Among the raw material, a part free from inhibitory materials is directly introduced an anaerobic digestion reactor while the other part containing the inhibitory materials is introduced into a first solid-liquid separator and separated into a solid-phase material free from the inhibitory materials and a liquid-phase material containing the inhibitory materials. The solid-phase material in the first solid-liquid separator is fed to the anaerobic digestion reactor after hydrolysis. A liquid waste in the anaerobic digestion reactor and a liquid-phase material in the first solid-liquid separator are concentrated by a sludge concentrator.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for passively generating a current flow in a body of water is disclosed. The passive water circulating apparatus has an aeration plate having a central opening; a plurality of flotation members joined to the aeration plate, the plurality of flotation members being adapted and disposed for maintaining buoyancy of the aeration plate above a water surface; an uplift tube member having a central orifice in fluid communication with the central opening of the aeration plate; a concentrator member disposed at an end of the uplift tube opposite the aeration plate, the concentrator member having a bottom opening in fluid communication with an upper opening, the bottom opening being wider than the upper opening and the upper opening being connected to the uplift tube member; and a plurality of bio-substrates suspended from the concentrator member below the bottom opening, the plurality of bio-substrates providing a substrate for growth of microbes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an anaerobic purification device for purification of influent. The device has a reactor tank, an inlet for introducing influent into the tank, a water collecting device for collecting purified water, a gas collecting system for collecting gas from the fluid contained in the reactor, a gas-liquid separation device, a riser for passing liquid into the separation device by gas lifting action caused by gas collected in the gas collecting system, and a downer for returning liquid and sludge from the separation device into the lower tank section. According to the invention this device is characterized in that it is arranged to define, in the downer at the level of the liquid surface, a head pressure of, at least, approximately 1.4 m water column (approximately 0.14 bar). The invention also relates to a method for anaerobic purification device for purification of influent.

Abstract: In a sludge dewatering system, digested sludge with polymer solution added to promote flocculation is delivered to, and fills a treatment tank to a predetermined level The sludge is then agitated to liberate contained gases, and low vacuum of no more than 20 inches of Hg below ambient air pressure is applied to a zone in the tank above the sludge to remove gases and to assist in degassing the sludge. The sludge is then delivered to the centrifuge, preferably a decanter-type, where solids recovery rates can approach 99.5%.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the anaerobic purification of waste water using a sludge bed system, which process comprises feeding waste water, and optionally recycle water, to the lower part of an upflow reactor, containing mainly granular biomass thus producing biogas in the treatment passing the resulting gas/liquid/solid mixture upward and separating the gas and solid from the liquid in a three phase separator and thereby generating an anaerobic effluent that is withdrawn from the top of the separator, the improvement comprising separating the solids from the liquid in a separator, wherein, above the separation of the gas from the liquid phase, tilted plates, tubes or other tilted internals are installed in the three phase separator body to increase the effective settling surface, to an upflow reactor suitable for this process as well as to a three phase separator.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the anaerobic purification of waste water using a sludge bed system, which process comprises feeding waste water and recycle water to the lower part of an upflow reactor containing mainly granular biomass thus producing biogas in the treatment passing the resulting gas/liquid/solid mixture upward and separating the gas and solid from the liquid in a three phase separator and thereby generating an anaerobic effluent that is withdrawn from the top of the separator, the improvement comprising withdrawing the recycle water separately from the effluent, after the separation of the gas from the liquid, either from the three phase separator or from the top of the reactor outside the three phase separator, and to an upflow reactor suitable for this process.

Abstract: A resource production system using a byproduct from the production of ethanol for efficiently producing biogas and fertilizer from the byproducts of ethanol production. The resource production system using a byproduct of a production of ethanol generally includes a plurality of processes for producing an inorganic renewable fertilizer, such as struvite and a non-fossil fuel source of energy, such as biogas, by using various types of byproducts produced by the ethanol plant, such as but not limited to whole stillage, thin stillage and thin stillage solubles. The process also produces an organic fertilizer, such as biosolids and a liquid stream suitable for further processing to produce recyclable water at the ethanol plant.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and systems for processing waste are provided. For example, a system for processing waste, wherein the waste comprises hard particulates embedded therein, can be provided. The system can comprise a waste disrupter, wherein the waste disrupter disrupts the waste and releases at least one of the embedded hard particulates from the disrupted waste; a segregator, wherein the segregator segregates at least one of the released hard particulates from the waste; and a dilution unit, wherein the dilution unit dilutes the waste. In some embodiments, the system can include a waste loader that provides waste continuously to the waste disrupter, which is configured to disrupt at least a portion of the continuously provided waste.

Abstract: A system for making biofuels comprising methane, ethanol, and biodiesel comprises a tank (100) with a sealable lid (120). An algae mass (105), water, and either a yeast or bacterial culture (106) is added to the tank. Under high temperature conditions, sour (CO2-containing) methane is produced and stored in a container (130). Under lower temperature conditions, ethanol and CO2 are produced. Heated or cooled water passed through a water jacket (160) that surrounds the tank maintains the proper temperature within the tank. The CO2 is stored in a second container (270). The sour methane and the CO2 are optionally passed through a scrubber. Scrubbed methane is suitable for use as a fuel and drives a generator (275) that supplies power to various parts of the system. Carbon credits will be available for CO2 that is trapped in the scrubber. A still (185) separates ethanol and water for later use. Biodiesel can also be made in the apparatus by first making ethanol, then employing a transesterification process.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods, devices and systems comprising a reactor that is operatively connected to: (a) a biogas production unit for converting waste to a biogas stream; and (b) an engine that utilizes the biogas stream from the biogas producing unit to produce energy and an engine exhaust.

Abstract: A plant for generating biogas from organic biodegradable material containing liquid and solid components, such as waste products, in particular liquid manure from agricultural enterprises, comprises a biogas generation container (9) having a feed for the degradable material and a biogas collection zone (6) having a biogas outlet, and a flotation separation unit having a microbubble generation unit (15) for separating off the solid components from the liquid components of the degradable material. The flotation separation unit comprises a chamber region (14) which is delimited in the interior of the biogas generation container and essentially active in the direction of gravity and having a closed bottom and an open upper end arranged below the liquid level of the biogas generation container. Clarified liquid form the chamber region and a gas, in particular the biogas from the biogas collection region, can be fed to the microbubble generation unit for charging the liquid with gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an algal purification system. In particular, the present invention relates to a biological purification system incorporating light-converting materials and sun trackers to enhance photosynthesis of algae therein in order to treat wastewater from municipal, agricultural and industrial sources.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system and process biologically treats wastewater to produce substantially clean water effluent and byproducts. The treatment system includes an array of media wheels that rotate into and out of exposure to sunlight for sustained algae growth. One byproduct is algae removed from the rotating media wheels, which may be provided to other processing facilities to produce, for instance, bio-diesel fuel. Waste CO2 from the processing facility may also be returned to the treatment system for enhanced algae growth. Bacteria is provided to form a symbiotic relationship with the algae, fueled by sunlight to effectively remove toxic materials from the wastewater. Large scale facilities may integrate the treatment systems in a regenerative cycle in which the biomass obtained from the algal colonies is used in a separate facility and byproducts of the operation of the separate facility are used by the treatment system to fuel further algal growth.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for converting organic waste materials from a municipal waste stream to useful products. Organic waste materials having a wide range of compositions such as, for example, yard waste, food waste, paper, and the organic fraction of municipal solid waste are converted into a uniform biomass that is suitable for conversion to useful products, such as fuels. Through the use of a biomixer and a hydropulper, as well as through sorting and screening, the organic waste materials are progressively reduced in size and cleaned of contamination. The resulting uniform biomass is suitable for anaerobic digestion to produce biogas and a residual solid that is suitable for producing a high quality compost.

Abstract: One embodiment of an apparatus and method for treating agricultural animal wastewater that costs less to build, is easy to operate, and requires little energy input. The method employs natural systems for wastewater treatment; an initial anaerobic digestion treatment followed by batch floating aquatic plant treatment. The batch floating aquatic plant treatment of effluent and subsequent batch discharge provides increased control of the treatment process. Opportunistic collection and use of biogas and floating aquatic biomass results in additional benefits. The apparatus reduces the cost and land area required for the system by subdividing a lagoon into an anaerobic digestion treatment zone below the apparatus and a floating aquatic plant treatment zone above the apparatus. In addition, the apparatus is disposed in the lagoon in such a way that it facilitates the collection of biogas evolving from anaerobic digestion treatment beneath the apparatus by diverting it to areas to be collected.