Abstract: The invention provides a side stream type membrane bioreactor process which does not cause an excessive fall in the MLSS concentration in a bioreactor, does not require any additional effluent treatment facility for discharging backwash effluent, and can further ensure the stability of the membrane filtration performance of a separation membrane. According to the invention, in a side stream type membrane bioreactor process, a backwash effluent containing foulants that are generated by backwashing a separation membrane is collected in a backwash effluent tank, and subjected to ozone treatment, and the resultant is returned to a bioreactor. By this ozone treatment, the foulants close to the membrane pore size of the separation membrane are made fine or are made into a state be easily taken into activated sludge flocs. Therefore, even when the treated effluent is returned to the bioreactor, the membrane filtration performance of the separation membrane is not deteriorated.

Abstract: Method and system for treating a waste stream. The waste is presented in containers, such as chamber pots and other containers for liquid and other kinds of waste. such waste can be supplied at different locations and is immediately comminuted. In a separating stage, the waste stream is separated into container material and actual waste. Actual waste is fed to a bioreactor where the water is purified so that it may be re-used, if desired. If biodegradable, the container material may be subjected to a fermentation step. Heat and gases released in the process may be used for heating the fermenter and/or generating power. It is also possible to feed kitchen waste, which may optionally have been comminuted, to the fermentation. The stream leaving the fermentation may be separated into hard components which are filtered off and composted and into softer components which can be fed to the purification installation.

Abstract: A method of treating a mixture of microorganisms with readily biodegradable carbon compounds (RBCs) in the form of one or more volatile fatty acids (VFAs), by first inducing the mixture microorganisms to release phosphorus and magnesium which is then tapped o as the mixture is thickened, to produce a phosphorus/magnesium-nch liquid and a phosphorus/magnesium-reduced treated mixture This treated mixture is placed in an anaerobic digester where ammonia is formed, but combines very little with phosphorus or magnesium Next the high-ammonia mixture is dewatered to produce an ammonia-rich liquid, which is combined with the phosphorus and magnesium-rich liquid and reacted to form struvite In one preferred embodiment, VFAs are formed in situ via an upstream unified fermentation and thickening (UFAT) process and added to the waste sidestream to strip phosphorus and magnesium found therein In another preferred embodiment a usable struvite product is harvested.

Abstract: Waste-treatment processes are enhanced through generation and introduction of specific biological populations customized to perform or favor specific tasks either during the main process, for the formation or precipitation of certain biological nutrients, or to accomplish solids formation reduction in a post-treatment process. These bacteria may be grown from specialized mixes of activated sludge and waste influent by exposing these materials to controlled environments (e.g., in an off-line treatment area). They may then be returned to the main process to perform certain tasks such as converting particulate cBOD into soluble cBOD for utilization, to reduce high solids yield organisms by supplementing the population characteristics with low yield organism characteristics, to provide biological nutrients or oxygenation assistance, to improve nitrification/denitrification efficiency, or to disfavor filamentous biology such as Norcardia sp.

Abstract: Systems and methods to treat wastewater are described herein. A wastewater treatment system may include a primary treatment system, a secondary treatment system, a disinfection treatment system, a solids treatment system, one or more fluid treatment systems, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The process according to the invention for treating water in a treatment plant comprising a reaction chamber in which a biodegradable material present in the water is biodegraded at least partly by microorganisms, in the course of which, at least temporarily, water is transferred out of the reaction chamber into a separating chamber and the biodegradable material and the microorganisms are separated at least partly from the water therein, a return stream comprising biodegradable material and at least some of the microorganisms flowing out of the separating chamber into the reaction chamber via a recycle line, is characterized in that at least some of the following substances: a) the biodegradable material and b) the microorganisms are treated with ozone (O3), an amount of 15 to 150 milligrams of ozone per kilogram of dry substance of the biodegradable material and of the microorganisms being added per hour in the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A method for removing inert solids from low-yield wastewater treatment processes. The method includes combining wastewater with bacteria-laden sludge in a mainstream reactor to form a mixed liquor, separating the mixed liquor into a clear effluent and activated sludge, returning a first portion of activated sludge to the mainstream reactor, treating a second portion of activated sludge in a sidestream bioreactor prior to returning the second portion of activated sludge to the mainstream reactor, and employing a screening device within the wastewater treatment process to remove inert solids.

Abstract: A method and system of treating wastewater that can provide operating flexibility is disclosed. The system is operated with a sequencing batch reactor, which is typically cycling to any of fill, react, settle, decant, and idle stages, to treat the wastewater. The system can further utilize a membrane filtration system to further treat water from the sequencing batch reactor and produce suitable water. A solids-reducing system can be connected to the sequencing batch reactor and reduce an amount of biodegraded solids by converting the character or distribution of microorganisms population in the biomass.

Abstract: A method for treating wastewater wherein the wastewater is introduced in prescribed doses of wastewater to a first treatment zone, establishing a negative pressure gradient using mechanical ventilation within said zone causing exhaust air flow to remove gases and promote evaporation in the zone. Excess wastewater passing through the zone is collected and reintroduced. The zone contains particulate material with a large wetted surface area covered in a microbiological slime layer.

Abstract: Systems and methods to treat wastewater are described herein. A wastewater treatment system may include a primary treatment system, a secondary treatment system, a disinfection treatment system, a solids treatment system, one or more fluid treatment systems, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wastewater treatment apparatus utilizing time tested techniques for recirculating media treatment with proprietary advancements to produce a system capable of nitrifying and denitrifying wastewater through the use of passive calcium carbonate and organic carbon feed systems. By creating aerobic and anaerobic zones and the ability to monitor and adjust these zones by physical and mechanical means with minimal operator involvement, wastewater is recycled through these zones thereby creating an enhanced biological filtering process. The treated wastewater is then discharged to standard leaching facilities, various irrigation uses and/or introduced to further treatment for water recycling and reuse.

Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane bioreactor process combined with an advanced biological sludge digestion process that provides significant improvements in sludge digestion by reducing the costs and resources required for disposing of digested sludge. The offline treatment vessel is used to solubilize the organic material by operating in a very low oxygen environment. Digested process fluid is transferred back to the membrane bioreactor. The processes and apparatus substantially reduce the production of waste sludge.

Abstract: A method for managing multivalent metal ion concentrations in low-yield wastewater treatment processes. The method includes combining wastewater containing BOD with bacteria-laden sludge in a mainstream reactor to form a mixed liquor, separating the mixed liquor into a clear effluent and an activated sludge stream, returning a first portion of the activated sludge stream to the mainstream reactor, processing a second portion of the activated sludge stream in a sidestream bioreactor, returning at least a portion of the activated sludge stream in the sidestream bioreactor to the mainstream reactor, and adding multivalent metal ions to at least one of the wastewater, the mixed liquor, the activated sludge stream and combinations thereof to reduce the generation of waste activated sludge.

Abstract: A hybrid chemical/mechanical dewatering sewage treatment plant and method employing rapid sludge chemical dewatering technology in conjunction with slower conventional mechanical dewatering solids agglomeration and disposal methods to meet operating constraints and environmental permitting restrictions and siting limitations for disposal of sewage and wastewater.

Abstract: The invention described herein provides a novel means to biologically denitrify nitrogenous compounds in wastewater using a simultaneous reaction under aerobic conditions. To conduct this reaction it is necessary to culture both autotrophic ammonia oxidizing bacteria as well as facultative heterotrophic bacteria such that the facultative heterotrophs can denitrify the oxidized ammonia compounds produced by the autotrophic bacteria as they are produced. The device described herein, along with methods of operating such a device, provides a means to facilitate the above reaction.

Abstract: A hybrid chemical/mechanical dewatering sewage treatment plant and method employing rapid sludge chemical dewatering technology in conjunction with slower conventional mechanical dewatering solids agglomeration and disposal methods to meet operating constraints and environmental permitting restrictions and siting limitations for disposal of sewage and wastewater.

Abstract: A method and system for treating water or wastewater to remove both soluble BOD and suspended solids. The method entails directing first and second water or wastewater streams to a treatment system including an activated sludge system and a ballasted flocculation system. The first water or wastewater stream is directed to the activated sludge system which includes at least one reactor and a clarifier. The second water or wastewater stream is directed to a ballasted flocculation system. Mixed liquor or activated sludge is directed from the activated sludge system to a mixing chamber that is located upstream from the ballasted flocculation system. The water or wastewater of the second stream is mixed with the mixed liquor or activated sludge in the mixing chamber. The mixed liquor from the mixing chamber is directed to and through the ballasted flocculation system. In the end, the soluble BOD in the second water or wastewater stream is reduced and suspended solids in the water or wastewater are also reduced.

Abstract: An efficient system and process for removing nitrogen from wastewater while enriching seed sludge in the mainstream treatment process. Bioaugmentation of seed autotrophic organisms facilitate the nitrification reactions by enhancing the rates of reaction advantageously within a smaller volume or within a shorter activated sludge solids retention time. Likewise, bioaugmentation of seed denitrification organisms will also enhance rate of reaction within a smaller volume or shorter activated sludge solids retention time. Separate treatment of high ammonia digester reject water is an efficient method to treat nitrogen in recycle streams as well as to enrich the seed nitrifying and denitrifying cultures.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method for treating and digesting organic wastes in a wastewater stream. A first wastewater influent stream is mixed with an activated sludge biomass in an aerobic digestion zone, so that least a portion of the organic wastes in the first wastewater influent stream are digested by activated sludge biomass. The first wastewater influent stream is separated from the activated sludge biomass in a first separation zone to recover activated sludge biomass and to provide a wastewater effluent stream. The second wastewater influent stream is mixed with recovered activated sludge biomass from the aerobic digestion zone in a substantially anaerobic adsorption zone so that at least a portion of the organic wastes in the second wastewater influent stream are adsorbed by the activated sludge biomass.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for an aerobic biological treatment of aqueous organic wastes, in which the aqueous organic waste is supplied to an aeration tank for an aerobic biological treatment in the presence of a biosludge composed essentially of aerobic microorganisms. The aerated aqueous suspension in the aeration tank is subjected to solid/liquid, separation, the so-separated liquid phase is removed as treated water, at least a portion of the separated sludge is recycled to the aeration tank, a part of the aqueous suspension in the aeration tank or of the separated sludge is treated with ozone at a pH of 5 or lower, and the ozonized suspension or sludge is recycled to the step of aerobic biological treatment. The biosludge is transformed into BOD components using a decreased amount of ozone to thereby decrease the amount of excess sludge and, in some cases, even reduce it to zero.

Abstract: Contaminated wastewaters comprising biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), nitrogen and phosphorus are treated by an activated sludge process. The process utilizes an activated sludge tank, a solid-liquid separator, and a bioreactor to significantly reduce, or eliminate, waste activated sludge (WAS) within a sludge stream. A sidestream reactor is employed downstream from the bioreactor to remove soluble phosphates left in the sludge stream by the low WAS process. Within the sidestream reactor, a source of multivalent metal ions is added to a slightly alkaline sludge stream to precipitate the phosphates. The solid phosphates have a specific gravity higher than that of the organic matter in the sludge stream and may be separated from the sludge stream based upon differential settling velocity.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment process is provided that entails both a biological or activated sludge process and a ballasted flocculation process. A first stream of wastewater is directed to a biological system for biologically treating the wastewater. The biological treatment process produces a first effluent and a first sludge. In cases where the biological system is an activated sludge process, the first sludge is recycled. A second stream of wastewater is directed to a ballasted flocculation system. The second stream of wastewater can be a stream independent of the first stream of wastewater or can be derived from the wastewater passing through the biological system. Sludge in the form of activated sludge or mixed liquor from the biological system is mixed with a second stream of wastewater in the ballasted flocculation system for the purpose of biologically treating the second stream of wastewater.

Abstract: The present invention may be used for treatment of waste streams using domestic wastewater. A concentrate waste stream containing one or more of perchlorate, nitrate, bromate, selenate and chromate may be combined with a domestic wastewater stream. The concentrate waste stream may have not less than 3000 mg/l of total dissolved solids. The concentrate waste stream and domestic wastewater stream may be combined at a ratio of between 20% volumetric flow rate and 75% volumetric flow rate to produce a blended stream. The blended stream may be processed in a bioreactor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing settleable solids and unsettleable solids from a partially closed flush system in a diary milking operation whereby a first processing tank bottom removes settleable solids contained therein where the net current flow vertically in the process tank is less than the settling rate of the settleable solids contained therein. The process tank batch feeds a plurality of thickening tanks that are each allowed to settle for a period of time before transferring fluid is to a second separator. The method and apparatus is particularly conductive for feeding a digester.

Abstract: This disclosure describes wastewater treatment systems and methods of treating wastewater. In one exemplary method, a wastewater is split into first and second wastewater fractions. The first fraction is delivered to a membrane bioreactor, which may produce an effluent with a low pollutant concentration, and the second fraction is delivered to a biological wastewater treatment system, which may yield a higher pollution concentration yet have a shorter solids retention time. Some implementations of the invention can routinely meet or even exceed pollution discharge standards quite economically during normal operation, yet retain significant flexibility for handling seasonal or sudden variations in the flow rate of wastewater into the system. In select adaptations, waste activated sludge containing heterotrophs, autotrophs, and (optionally) polyphosphate accumulating organisms is delivered from the membrane bioreactor to the biological wastewater treatment system.

Abstract: The pH value of excess sludge taken out from a biological oxidation tank (2) is adjusted to 8 to 14, and the pH-adjusted sludge is injected into a solubilizing device (3). The sludge taken out from the solubilizing device (3) is heated to 110° C. to 350° C. at a pressure higher than saturated steam pressure to solubilize the sludge to a state readily degradable by microorganisms. The solubilized sludge is returned to a biological oxidizing tank (2), and the pH value of the sludge in the biological oxidizing tank (2) to 5 to 9. The use of the above method of treating excess sludge and an apparatus therefore enables substantially reducing the volume of excess sludge with economic advantage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for purifying wastewaters, particularly wastewaters produced in the paper industry, involving the following steps: a) aerobic clarification of the wastewater using activated sludge in an activation stage; b) carrying out, in a secondary settling tank, a subsequent clarification of a portion of the wastewater/activated sludge mixture leaving the activation stage; c) desiccating, in a desiccation unit, another portion of the wastewater/activated sludge mixture leaving the activation stage; d) returning at least a portion of the activated sludge removed in steps b) and c) into the activated sludge tank.

Abstract: A method of removing nitrogen, in which the nitrogen is removed from wastewater containing a BOD component and ammonium nitrogen by anaerobic ammonium oxidation, comprising the steps of: distributing the wastewater into two portions which are a nitrification vessel and a denitrification vessel at a predetermined distribution ratio; mixing first treated water which is nitrified by ammonium oxidizing bacteria from ammonia to nitrite in the nitrification vessel, with second treated water which is denitrified by denitrification bacteria in the denitrification vessel; and feeding the mixed water to an anaerobic ammonium oxidation vessel to simultaneously denitrify ammonia and nitrite by ammonium oxidizing bacteria, thereby obtaining a third treated water treated in the anaerobic ammonium oxidation vessel, which is then fed back to the denitrification vessel for denitrification and BOD decomposition.

Abstract: Wastewater is delivered to a single tank of a bioreactor system to undergo biological treatment. After undergoing such biological treatment, the wastewater is centrifugally separated outside the tank into contaminated portions with lowered and increased concentration of solids therein to respectively undergo filtration within a small volume chamber of the tank and continuous return to a large volume chamber for biological retreatment during operation of the bioreactor system. Under different conditions of the wastewater delivered to the tank, one of the separated portions of the biologically treated wastewater is disposed of by direct discharge in by-pass relation to the small chamber when delivery thereof into the small chamber is interrupted under selective valve control.

Abstract: The invention at hand relates to an improved wastewater treatment plant consisting of a reactor and a filter device, such as for gaining drinking water or wastewater treatment.

Abstract: A method of treating wastewater to increase effluent volatile fatty acid content consisting of providing wastewater to a primary treatment vessel and adding a select quantity of a chemical, typically an aluminum or iron salt, to the wastewater, enhancing the separation of organic matter. Separated organic matter is then removed from the chemically treated wastewater forming a primary sludge and a primary effluent. A portion of the primary sludge is fermented to form a volatile fatty acid rich liquor. The volatile fatty acid rich liquor may then be used with the primary effluent, directed to a bioreactor, thereby forming a volatile fatty acid enriched bioreactor feed. The volatile fatty acid enriched influent may be further treated through known biological phosphorous and nitrogen removal methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of biological treatment of wastewater by means of activated sludge, wherein the wastewater is introduced first into an aerated activated sludge tank (B tank) and then by turns into one of several sedimentation and recirculation tanks (SU tanks), which are permanently linked with said B tank and in which a separation of activated sludge and clear water occurs, and after separation activated sludge is returned to the B tank and clear waters is drawn off; several times a day, in the SU tanks an operating cycle proceeds comprising a stirring phase (R phase), a pre-settling phase (V phase) and a discharge phase (A phase). In the R phase the activated sludge is remixed with the water, in the V phase the activated sludge settles down and in the A phase clear water is drawn off (single basin technique).

Abstract: A system and method for minimizing new water use in the water circulation system of a treatment plant in which the matter to be treated is purified and/or disaggregated using water in a treatment step. The suspension containing the remaining components is subjected to mechanical purification and the mechanically purified suspension is separated into two processing water streams. The first processing water stream is supplied back into the treatment step and the second processing water stream is subjected to a chemical-physical clarification. The chemically-physically clarified processing water stream is separated into two clarified water streams. The first clarified water stream is led into one of the two processing water streams and/or into the suspension and the second clarified water stream is subjected to a biological clarification. The biologically clarified water stream, being a fresh water stream, is led into one or two clarified water streams.

Abstract: A new process configuration, which is based on nitrifier bioaugmentation, achieves essentially complete nitrification at low solids retention times (SRTs) on a year round basis for plants that have a minimum of two activated sludge treatment trains. The process utilizes a membrane bioreactor as a second stage activated sludge system for one of the existing activated sludge systems, which is operated under non-nitrifying conditions. The membrane bioreactor is used to achieve essentially complete nitrification of ammonia derived from influent wastewater and an anaerobic digester recycle stream. The mixed liquor of the membrane bioreactor is comprised of an enriched culture of nitrifying bacteria. To allow the other treatment train(s) to nitrify, the waste sludge from the membrane bioreactor is directed to “donated” to the other “receiver” train(s).

Abstract: A process of waste treatment which involves: (a) separation of waste material to provide a component having a concentrated solids component and a predominantly liquid component; (b) passing the concentrated solids component through an anaerobic bioreactor system and maintaining insoluble material as a suspension in the concentrated solids component; (c) removing phosphorous and/or nitrogen from the concentrated solids component and/or the predominately liquid component; and (d) removing solids from the concentrated solids component.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment equipment is provided with a reaction tank and a separate reaction unit installed in the reaction tank. In the separate reaction unit, a reaction different from a reaction in the reaction tank is carried out with returned sludge and a acid or alkali. Reactants are generated from the returned sludge in the separate reaction unit and then introduced from a bottom portion of the separate reaction unit into the reaction tank so as to be used for wastewater treatment.

Abstract: A wastewater purifying apparatus using a back overflowed sludge includes a water tank having an inflow port for accepting wastewater and an outlet for discharging purified water, and a first barrier for dividing the water tank into a steady-flow region and a turbulent-flow region according to flow type, the first barrier submerged in the wastewater when it is filled in the water tank to a predetermined water level to allow sludge in the turbulent-flow region to flow backward the steady-flow region without extra device of settling and return.

Abstract: A novel method for purifying, by means of an essentially closed circuit water purification system, an aqueous flow from a processing unit includes the steps of: (a) supplying to a bioreactor, and combining therein, the aqueous flow, as well as a discharge flow from a membrane filtration unit; (b) allowing microbiological conversion of biodegradable constituents to take place therein, thereby, generating an effluent flow; (c) supplying the bioreactor effluent flow to an ultrafiltration unit, thereby, separating the effluent flow into permeate and concentrate flows; (d) supplying at least some of the permeate flow to a membrane filtration unit, thereby, generating a product flow and the discharge flow; and (e) supplying the discharge flow to the bioreactor, as noted in step (a), and supplying at least a portion of the product flow to the processing unit. Apparatus related thereto are also disclosed.

Abstract: A digester method and system for processing farm waste is provided. Specifically, the present invention provides a small-scale digester that processes approximately 0.1% to 10% of a raw waste stream at a temperature of approximately 100° F. The remaining 90% to 99.1% of the raw waste stream is directed to a waste lagoon without passing through the digester. Once the digester has processed the waste stream directed thereto, the processed waste is fed to the waste lagoon thereby inducing greater methane production.

Abstract: The apparatus is a small flow wastewater treatment system. The system uses a recirculating packed media filter for the initial treatment of effluent from a device such as a septic tank. The incoming wastewater is furnished to the recirculating packed media filter intermittently to permit air into the filter for maintaining high levels of oxygen for bacteria action. The recirculating packed media filter is followed by a subsurface flow constructed wetland. The wastewater entering the apparatus of the invention is divided into two parts so that 5 to 25 percent of the incoming flow bypasses the recirculating packed media filter and goes directly into the subsurface flow constructed wetland to encourage bacteria action that converts nitrates into gaseous nitrogen.

Abstract: A process for treating which contains carbonaceous solids, includes subjecting the water to hydrolysis in a biological hydrolysis reaction stage, in the presence of sulfate ions, thereby to produce treated water, a slurry component, and a sulfur-containing component. Treated water, the slurry component, and the sulfur-containing component are withdrawn from the reaction stage.

Abstract: A digester method and system for processing farm waste is provided. Specifically, the present invention provides a small-scale digester that processes approximately 0.1% to 10% of a raw waste stream at a temperature of approximately 100° F. The remaining 90% to 99.1% of the raw waste stream is directed to a waste lagoon without passing through the digester. Once the digester has processed the waste stream directed thereto, the processed waste is fed to the waste lagoon thereby inducing greater methane production.

Abstract: A process for extracting isoflavones from a plant material, wherein the said process comprises treating the plant material with an organic solvent, characterized in that the said extraction is preceded by a step of maceration in water. A dry extract containing, as aglycones, at least 8% (w/w) of one or more isoflavones or formula wherein R1=OH and R2=H, Genistein; R1=H and R2=H, Daidzein; R1=H and R2=CH3, Formononetin; R1=OH and R2=CH3, Biochanin A.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for utilizing waste waters which comprises the separate collection of gray water and/or black water and membrane filtration of the separately collected gray water and/or solids/liquid separation of the separately collected black water. The present invention preferably relates to a process for producing potable water from gray water or one or more of its partial streams. Moreover, an apparatus for producing potable water from gray water and an apparatus for utilizing black water and its use is described.

Abstract: A modular system for treating wastewater is designed having different phases. In an initial phase, plural tanks are provided, including at least one reactor and digester tank. In a subsequent phase, at least one of the tanks is converted into a different type of tank, and additional new tanks are provided to accommodate larger quantities of wastewater. In one embodiment, conversion of at least one of the tanks is accomplished by removing a temporary wall from a digester tank to create another reactor tank.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of process water or effluent from a papermaking process, in which this water is subjected to at least one anaerobic purification step, an aeration step and a solids separation step and the water is then returned to the production process, and at least two treated water streams of different quality, which originate from a different combination of purification steps, are returned to different points in the production process.

Abstract: During a waste water treatment process such as an activated-sludge process using microorganisms, the present invention ozonizes a microorganism-mixed liquid. It reduces the amount of microorganisms remaining, prevents a microorganism floc from sedimenting inappropriately, and recovers appropriate sedimentation while maintaining treatment performance. A waste water ozonization apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention can include a sludge drawing pump which draws a microorganism-mixed liquid from an aeration vessel; an ozonizer for generating ozone gas which reacts with the microorganism-mixed liquid; an ozonization vessel which injects the ozone gas generated by the ozonizer into the drawn microorganism-mixed liquid; an ozonized-sludge channel that returns the ozonized microorganism-mixed liquid to the aeration vessel; and a control section for intermittently performing an ozonization operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a process for biological wastewater purification. According to the invention an activation tank (10) is provided in which, with feed of a catalyst, wastewater constituents are degraded by degradation means (11), for example microorganisms, suspended in the wastewater. In the activation tank (10) is disposed at least one lamellae pack (50) in or on which the degradation means (11) suspended in the wastewater are separated out by sedimentation to fall as thickened sedimentation means sludge (11′) to the bottom region (15) of the activation tank (10). In the said bottom region (15) of the activation tank (10) is provided forced recirculation (20, 22) of the degradation means, which takes up the thickened degradation means sludge (11′) and recirculates it as suspended degradation means (11) back to the activation tank (10).

Abstract: A process for obtaining a polymeric complex from a by-product effluent obtained in a process for manufacturing alcohol by distilling a fermented aqueous sugar solution containing yeast. After distilling alcohol from the effluent a chemical or biological flocculant is added to the effluent to form a homogeneous mixture, which is heated to a temperature of at least about 80° C. Yeast is removed from the heated mixture by a first decantation, then insoluble solids and muds are removed by a second decantation. The mixture is then concentrated by partially evaporating water therefrom to obtain an aqueous solution of the polymeric complex.

Abstract: A slurry-forming apparatus and method of using the slurry-forming apparatus. In one aspect, the apparatus (122) comprising: a) a vessel, comprising: i) a cylindrical vessel wall (60, 160), the cylindrical vessel wall having an interior surface; ii) a downwardly-sloped floor joined to the vessel wall; an outlet in the downwardly-sloped floor; iii) and one or more baffles (172, 182) along the interior surface of the vessel wall; b) a fluid inlet opening (86) into the vessel and being configured for injecting a fluid into the vessel; c) a granular material inlet opening into the vessel and being configured for providing a granular material into the vessel; and d) the baffles, fluid inlet, granular material inlet and outlet being configured relative to one another whereby a slurry is formed from the injected fluid and provided granular material without substantial mechanical agitation of the vessel, and whereby the slurry exits the vessel through the outlet.