Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus, methods, and applications for treating wastewater, and more particularly to biological processes for removing pollutants from wastewater.

Abstract: A lagoon of effluent is stablished, comprising a set of sub-portions at different levels in the lagoon associated with a corresponding set of concentrations of dissolved oxygen, each sub-portion of the lagoon having a different concentration of dissolved oxygen. An incubator comprising a set of sub-portions associated with said set of concentrations of dissolved oxygen is established, each sub-portion of the incubator having a different concentration of dissolved oxygen. A volume of effluent from each sub-portion of the lagoon is transmitted to a corresponding sub-portion of an incubator having a substantially similar concentration of dissolved oxygen as said sub-portion of the lagoon. A first remediated volume of effluent is generated in said corresponding sub-portion of the incubator responsive to proliferating a first microorganism which uses a first compound in said volume of effluent as substrate for growth, the first microorganism enabling a first chemical reaction which alters the first compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus, methods, and applications for treating wastewater, and more particularly to biological processes for removing pollutants from wastewater.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for removing perchlorate from water. The systems comprise reactors comprising biomass for degrading perchlorate, and the operation of the systems can be controlled according to novel logic specifications. Also provided are filters and filtration systems for clearing water in advance of analysis of the concentration of contaminants within the water. The filters comprise a length of tubing configured to generate backpressure at the filter sufficient to facilitate the flow of a water sample through the filter without overpressurization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus, methods, and applications for treating wastewater, and more particularly to biological processes for removing pollutants from wastewater.

Abstract: A method of supporting denitrification includes receiving biological material at a pulsed electric field station and applying a pulsed electric field to the biological material within a treatment zone in the pulse electric field station to generate treated biological material. The method also includes transporting at least a portion of the treated biological material to an anoxic bioreactor in substitution, at least in part, for an external source of electron donor. A system for supporting denitrification is also provided.

Abstract: A method for degrading, detackifying and reducing solvent in water comprising organic solvent-laden water-borne paint that comprises adding to the water an effective degrading, detackifying and/or solvent-reducing amount of at least one microorganism culture and sufficient micronutrients to sustain the growth of the at least one microorgansim culture and to reduce solvent content of the water. A method of reducing chemical oxygen demand in water comprising organic solvent-laden water-borne paint, wherein the water contains an excess amount of organic solvent from one or both of paint spray operations and paint spray nozzle cleaning operations, the method comprising adding to the water an effective degrading and detackifying amount of at least one microorganism culture and micronutrients to sustain the growth of the at least one microorgansim culture, whereby chemical oxygen demand in the water is reduced by at least 50% relative to the same system without adding the micronutrients.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vertical-horizontal filter unit for the biological purification of polluted water, comprising an upper zone of a soil patch planted with plants, having inlets for the polluted water, and arranged underneath a sand layer with a lower filter zone made of gravel and at least one removal point for the purified water, wherein between the upper and lower filter zones a barrier layer with openings is arranged and the filter unit is sealed against the soil on the sides and at the bottom. The openings in the barrier layer are arranged along the edge and/or the barrier layer does not reach the edge of the patch completely. The invention is characterized in that the upper zone acts as an aerobically cleaning zone and the lower zone as an anaerobically cleaning zone.

Abstract: A bioremediation method for accelerated biological degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in a sea ice-covered polar region comprising contacting the petroleum hydrocarbons with an inoculum. The inoculum includes a bacterial mixture, nutrients, and an environmentally friendly carrier material. The bacterial mixture includes a plurality of cold-adapted autochthonous bacterial strains, wherein each of the bacterial strains are active at an ambient temperature of ?3° C., and wherein each of the bacterial strains has a different temperature tolerance range, a different salinity tolerance range, a different degradation spectrum, and a different potential to emulsify oil. Bacteria of the bacterial strains are immobilized on the environmentally friendly carrier material.

Abstract: [Problems] To provide a method of treating an organic substance-containing waste liquid, and a treatment apparatus therefor, and an additive for treating an organic substance-containing waste liquid, and a bacterium for degrading an organic substance component or the like in the waste liquid, capable of accomplishing at least one of treatment of the organic substance-containing waste liquid with a high efficiency and a high treatment rate, without substantially generating a foul odor, and obtainment of water quality that is suitable for releasing to sewage, a public water area, or the like.

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: A composition including the fermentation supernatant from a fermentation of yeast is intended to be conveniently introduced through the wastewater plumbing system of a private home or other facility into a septic system servicing the home or other facility to substantially accelerate the ability of the bacteria resident in the septic system to substantially digest biologically available organic compounds present in the septic system, and methods of accomplishing the same.

Abstract: A two-stage treatment process, for the treatment of nitrate rich water, particularly aquaculture pond water, wherein in the first stage a degassing chamber is used for removing dissolved oxygen from a stream of water flowing out of the aquaculture system, and in the second stage the stream of water obtained from said degassing chamber is flown into a denitrifying biofilter comprising a biofilter media which functions as a biological growth media and as a carbon source, wherein said denitrifying biofilter is capable of biologically reducing both nitrate and nitrite compounds into nitrogen gas.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stable complex microbial system, which simultaneously decomposes a plurality of organic contaminants even under a polluted environment with these contaminants and permits more effective decomposition of persistent organic contaminants such as PCNB and simazine. A support for holding a complexed accumulation of degrading bacteria, which contains a porous material provided as a support on which a degrading bacterium A capable of degrading at least one organic contaminant and a degrading bacterium B capable of degrading another organic contaminant are accumulated, is produced. The degrading bacterium A may be a PCNB-degrading bacterium, particularly a degrading bacterium containing a degrading bacterium having part or all of mycological characteristics of Nocardioides sp. PD653 and the degrading bacterium B may be a degrading bacterium containing a degrading bacterium having part or all of mycological characteristics of ?-Proteobacteria CDB21.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and gaseous composition for the in situ bioremediation of soil and groundwater contaminated with organic compounds, including halogenated hydrocarbons. The gaseous composition, which readily permeates a subsurface region, comprises hydrogen (H2) and one or more volatile phosphates, such as triethylphosphate (TEP) and tributylphosphate (TBP). The volatile phosphates serve as nutrients that stimulate the growth and activity of indigenous microbes that are capable of degrading the contaminants. The addition of hydrogen facilitates the direct reductive dehalogenation of highly halogenated contaminants. The gaseous composition may optionally contain one or more of a volatile alkane and nitrous oxide as additional supports for microbial growth, and carbon dioxide to lower the pH of remediation sites that are highly alkaline.

Abstract: A device and method for growing aerobic and facultatively anaerobic bacteria such as Pseudomonas Fluorescens, Bacillus subtilus, Bacillus lichenoformis, Starkeya novella and various autotrophic sulfur metabolizing bacteria, along with methods for releasing these bacteria into suspended growth or fixed film wastewater treatment zones such as soil or media, for the purposes of bioremediation and the removal of nitrogen, sulfur, and carbon wastes.

Abstract: A method of treating organic matter-containing waste liquid, which is formed as a byproduct in a plant for the production of oxygen-containing compounds or liquid hydrocarbons (including liquid fuel oil and chemicals, which are produced from natural gas through a synthetic gas), having the step of: treating the waste liquid at a high temperature of 40° C. or higher, while being aerated, by using a membrane bioreactor (2) that is equipped with a separation membrane (7b).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for remediating an underground and/or aqueous contaminant. The method and apparatus utilize at least one electrically conductive surface to attract aqueous hydrogen ions. At the surface, the hydrogen ions interact with excess electrons to form dissolved hydrogen molecules. Dissolved hydrogen molecules provide a proton source for bioreactive material, either provided to or naturally occurring in the environment. The bioreactive material assists in the reduction of the contaminant into a less environmentally harmful compound.

Abstract: A method for eliminating alien species and undesirable organisms from ballast water of a marine vessel. Ballast water (204) is injected into a container (202). An organic substance is added to the ballast water. Heterotrophic organisms (219) in the ballast water reproduce and consume the organic substance (218). The heterotrophic organisms substantially reduce the oxygen level in the ballast water compared to the oxygen level of untreated ballast water. The alien species and undesirable organisms die due to lack of oxygen.

Abstract: A process for conversion of organic wastes into biofertilizers such as soil conditioning agents of fertilizer grade, culture grade and soil grade is provided. Also provided is a process for conversion of organic wastes into material for converting waste water into reusable water. The invention provides methods for conversion of organic solid wastes to biofertilizers and reusable water in the presence of a geophagus earthworm Pheretima elongata culure to produce a variety of valuable soil conditioning products and reusable water.

Abstract: A water purification solid material of relatively low cost whose handling is easy, produced from a natural raw material only; and a method of water purification with the use of the same. There is provided a water purification solid material for use in water purification using a microbe, characterized in that it is obtained by working only a natural raw material whose main component is a polysaccharide. Further, there is provided a method of water purification with the use of the same.

Abstract: A method for purifying a waste environment includes treating a portion of the waste environment to inactivate or diminish native microorganisms, adding augmenting microorganisms to the treated waste environment, simultaneously growing and acclimating a microbiological culture and discharging the microbiological culture to the waste environment. The method provides improved biological purification of waste and in-situ bioaugmentation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a substantially odorless biologically mediated treatment process for solid and liquid organic wastes. The present invention also provides for a novel nutrient rich humus material produced from the biologically mediated treatment process. The bioconversion process of the present invention results from low electron acceptor concentrations and high quantities of microorganisms in a diverse microbial community.

Abstract: Systems and methods for wastewater treatment. A nitrate source may be dosed to a collection tank, such as a wet well, for downstream control of hydrogen sulfide levels in the wastewater. A source of a strong oxidizer may also be dosed to the wet well. The oxidizer, such as chlorite, may temporarily interrupt denitrification processes in the wet well to prevent floatation of undesirable constituents therein. The oxidizer dosage may be generally consistent with the nitrate dosage. An ORP sensor may facilitate regulation of dosing. The nitrate and the oxidizer may be present in a single mixture to be dosed to the wet well.

Abstract: Bioventing methods create a bacterial treatment zone at a contaminated site by supplying a hydrocarbon food source to the treatment zone, and recirculating the hydrocarbon to the treatment zone. The inventing methods may inject, circulate, extract and reinject hydrocarbons such as butane or other alkanes to the subsurface at a contaminated site to create a bacterial treatment zone. Contaminated vapors extracted from the soil and/or groundwater may be reintroduced into the site. Hydrocarbons that are not consumed by the bacteria in the treatment zone may be extracted and recovered for recirculation into the treatment zone.

Abstract: Drainage water containing an organofluorine compound is introduced into a raw tank (1) and then filtered through a filtration device (4). Next, a microorganism, a micro-nanobubbling auxiliary agent and a nutrient are added thereto in a first transit tank (5) while micro-nanobubbles are generated thereinto by a micro-nanobubbling machine (7), thereby giving treated water. This treated water is then fed into an active carbon column (14) and then the above-described organofluorine compound contained in the treated water is decomposed by the microorganism as described above.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the removal of selenium species from water containing high-salt concentrations and/or petroleum contaminants are described. The compositions and methods use a selenium-reducing microorganism adapted to adverse environments.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of denitrifying a solution including introducing into the solution an amount of a carbon source within a duration and at a frequency so that indigenous heterotrophic bacteria deplete dissolved oxygen in the solution and obtain oxygen from nitrate in the solution. Related apparatuses and compounds also are disclosed.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus and method for the inoculation of a bioremediation agent into a waste stream, including but not limited to sludge or oil. The apparatus is capable of generating and maintaining a continuous release of decomposing bacteria, and living organisms, into a septic tank of sewage treatment system each time a toilet is flushed, or a boat bilge is pumped. The dispensing apparatus and method also provides a solid or liquid inoculate introduced directly into the apparatus for release into the waste stream slowly and continuously over time.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for biologically treating fluids, in particular municipal or industrial wastewater or the like, the apparatus comprising a pair of reservoirs each containing growth medium having a biofilm thereon, the apparatus being arranged to pump the wastewater from one reservoir to another such as to alternatively expose the biofilms within the reservoirs to air and wastewater, thus making it possible to achieve sequential aerobic, anoxic and anaerobic conditions in the biofilms.

Abstract: Undesirable components are removed from water while photosynthetic marine microorganisms within the water are contained, cultivated, and harvested. An apparatus is placed within the water. The apparatus has a mesh lining adapted to permit the water, the undesirable components, and nutrients to enter through the mesh lining while at least substantially preventing the marine microorganisms that are being cultivated from escaping through the mesh lining. The marine microorganisms are cultivated, including by adding the nutrients to the water. The nutrients at least accelerate growth of the marine microorganisms, where the marine microorganisms feed off the undesirable components and the nutrients. The marine microorganisms that have been cultivated are then harvested, which includes removing the marine microorganisms from the water.

Abstract: A biological removal method of phosphorus and nitrogen includes supplying a mixture gas into a gas holder. Inflow water and return water are supplied into the gas holder to make the mixture gas dissolved in the inflow water and the return water. The return water was provided from a granulation biological reaction tank. The inflow water and the return water including the dissolved mixture gas are transported to the granulation biological reaction tank. A nitrogen-based component is removed from the inflow water and the return water using methan-oxidizing bacteria granulated in the granulation biological reaction tank. Treated water without the nitrogen-based component is transported to an anoxic tank for treatment, and discharged from the anoxic tank.

Abstract: A method of biological treatment of organic wastewater includes a biological treatment step for introducing organic wastewater to a biological treatment tank and biologically treating the organic wastewater; and a solid-liquid separation step for separating biologically treated liquid in the biological treatment tank into sludge and treated water. The method further includes a sludge treatment step for introducing a portion of the sludge in the biological treatment tank and/or at least a portion of the sludge separated in the solid-liquid separation step into a sludge treatment tank having a submerged filter element with a pore diameter of 5 to 100 ?m in the tank and subjecting the sludge to aerobic biological treatment; and a permeated liquid-returning step for returning the liquid permeated through the submerged filter element to the biological treatment tank.

Abstract: A method and system for ballast water treatment are provided. A vacuum is applied directly to an existing vent of a vessel's ballast water tank during the vessel's voyage. The applied vacuum is in a range of approximately ?2 to ?4 pounds per square inch. To further assure success, living organisms can be added into the ballast water tank to consume (i) oxygen dissolved in the ballast water, and (ii) food sources for selected organisms contained in the ballast water. No modifications to the vessel's ballast water tank are required as all system components are coupled to the existing vent.

Abstract: A process for treating BOD, nitrogen and phosphorus containing wastewater, wherein the process includes the steps of providing wastewater influent into an anoxic zone having activated sludge and mixing the wastewater influent with the activated sludge in the anoxic zone to form a mixed liquor. The process further includes providing the mixed liquor into one more further treatment zones and transferring a portion of the mixed liquor from the further treatment zone to a membrane filter wherein a filtrate is separated from sludge. The process also includes selectively recycling at least a portion of the sludge to the anoxic zone as recycled activated sludge.

Abstract: A system and method to treat a site includes oxygenating or ozonating the site, adding nutrients, and maintaining a low bio-chemical-oxygen-demand-to-total-kjeldahl-nitrogen (BOD5:TKN) ratio. Furthermore, the system and method maintain conditions effective to permit aerobic biological deamination of organic-nitrogen compounds and nitrification of ammonia-nitrogen compounds.

Abstract: A method for the physical and biological treatment of an organic effluent, which is decomposed by microorganisms in a biological treatment zone, includes recovering a fraction of the biomass derived from the biological treatment, filling a compression reservoir with the biomass fraction, isolating the compression reservoir, and subjecting the filled compression reservoir to a very high pressure so to destroy or damage the microorganisms in the biomass fraction. Thereafter, the compression reservoir is returned to atmospheric pressure and the treated biomass fraction is reinjected into the biological treatment zone or into another biological treatment zone.

Abstract: Remediation for groundwater, soil, sediment bodies, bodies of water, tanks, pipes, and their surrounding areas are described. Remediation includes treating a site contaminated with toxic organic compounds by assessing for the presence or absence of suitable ozonophilic bacteria at the site and introducing ozone to the site. The ozonophilic bacteria are introduced to the site if the ozonophilic bacteria are not present or not present in sufficient quantities in the site. Ozone is introduced to the site in an amount sufficient to stimulate growth of the suitable ozonophilic bacteria. Other oxidants can also be used.

Abstract: A method of in-situ groundwater nitrification, by: extracting groundwater from the ground; adding oxygen to the extracted groundwater; adding nutrients to the extracted groundwater; and injecting the groundwater back into the ground, wherein the oxygen reacts with in-situ nitrifying bacteria to oxidize ammonia to nitrate, and wherein the nutrients encourage the nitrifying bacteria to grow and reproduce. A method of in-situ groundwater de-nitrification, by: extracting the groundwater from the ground; adding carbon to the extracted groundwater; adding nutrients to the extracted groundwater; and injecting the groundwater back into the ground, wherein the carbon reacts with in-situ de-nitrifying bacteria to reduce nitrate to nitrogen gas, and wherein the nutrients encourage the de-nitrifying bacteria to grow and reproduce.

Abstract: A process for treating BOD, nitrogen and phosphorus containing wastewater, wherein the process includes providing wastewater influent into an anaerobic zone having activated sludge and mixing the wastewater influent with the activated sludge in the anaerobic zone to form a mixed liquor. The process further includes providing the mixed liquor into an oxygen-deficit aeration zone and recycling denitrified mixed liquor from the oxygen-deficit aeration zone to the anaerobic zone for mixing therein with wastewater. In addition, the process includes transferring the mixed liquor from the oxygen-deficit aeration zone to an oxygen-surplus aeration zone and transferring a portion of the mixed liquor from the oxygen-surplus aeration zone to a membrane filter wherein a filtrate is separated from sludge. The process also includes recycling at least a portion of the sludge to the oxygen-deficit aeration zone as recycled activated sludge.

Abstract: A process for in situ groundwater decontamination within a subsurface region of earth includes: directing a liquid feed stream through a first conduit; injecting a treatment gas into the first conduit and/or a second conduit; discharging the liquid feed stream downwardly from the first conduit through an orifice restriction into the second conduit to form a confined plunging liquid jet gas and liquid contact zone in the second conduit; dissolving at least a portion of the treatment gas into the liquid feed stream in the contact zone to form an enhanced gas concentration liquid stream; passing the enhanced gas concentration liquid stream downwardly from the contact zone; and passing the enhanced gas concentration liquid stream from the second conduit into the groundwater. A device for performing this process is also disclosed.

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 method of treatment of sewage comprising adding at least one cell signalling chemical (CSC) to a sewage substrate, wherein the at least one CSC regulates activity of a microbial population in the sewage substrate. In particular, methods of reducing odor in sewage treatment systems, preventing corrosion in sewage treatment systems, enhancing microbial digestion of sewage, managing methane gas production in a sewage treatment system, enhancing digestion of sewage sludge, resuscitating dormant microbes or microbes that are in a starvation or stationary phase in a sewage substrate and controlling the bacteria responsible for oxidation or reduction of nitrogenous compounds in a sewage substrate, are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for removing a contaminant from groundwater wherein it is not necessary for groundwater to be extracted from the soil. To that end, the process according to the invention comprises the following steps: a) a biologically active layer (2) is applied on or in the soil b) the contaminated groundwater is contacted with the biologically active layer (2). The contaminant is converted in the biologically active layer. The biologically active layer (2) may be applied discontinuously. The contaminated groundwater may be contacted with the biologically active layer with the aid of for example a gas.

Abstract: A hollow gas transfer fibre is arranged in tows and potted into a module. The module may be used to treat wastewater by supplying hydrogen containing gas via the interior of the fibers to a biofilm present on an exterior surface of the fibers.

Abstract: A system and method for treating wastewater by continuously flowing wastewater into a chemostat and continuously discharging clean water out of the chemostat. The system can include sensors and an electronic controller for on-line measuring ambient parameters in the chemostat and adjusting the chemostat's operating conditions accordingly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the anaerobic microbial dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Polyhalogenated ethenes are used to stimulate the growth and dechlorinating activity of PCB dechlorinating bacteria in a contaminated soil or sediment. This method may be further coupled with aerobic microbial degradation of PCBs for the complete destruction of PCBs in soils and sediments. Polyhalogenated ethenes are also used in growth media for the culturing of PCB dechlorinating bacteria.

Abstract: An apparatus for the biological treatment of saltwater-based domestic wastewater, the apparatus having an inlet for the introduction of the saltwater-based domestic wastewater, an outlet for the removal of treated wastewater, means for monitoring the salinity level of the saltwater-based domestic wastewater entering or within the apparatus and means for controlling the salinity level of the saltwater-based domestic wastewater entering or within the apparatus such that fluctuations in the salinity level of the saltwater-based domestic wastewater are reduced and the biological treatment of the saltwater-based domestic wastewater is thereby maintained.

Abstract: It is an objective of the present invention to provide a decontaminant capable of efficiently and rapidly decontaminating soil, groundwater or sediment contaminated with hexavalent chromium, and a decontamination method utilizing the same. By adding at least one of iron (0) and ferrous iron, and a microbial biostimulant of at least one member selected from the group consisting of yeast extract, inactive yeast, active yeast and peptone to soil, groundwater or sediment contaminated with hexavalent chromium. Hexavalent chromium is chemically and biologically reduced efficiently, and iron reducing microorganisms are propagated and activated to sustain reducing power of the added iron over a long period of time.

Abstract: A method for remediating aquifers and groundwater contaminated, for example, by toxic halogenated organic compounds, certain inorganic compounds, and oxidized heavy metals and radionuclides, using the introduction of an innocuous oil, preferably an edible, food grade oil such as soybean oil, formulated into a microemulsion preferably by mixing with a natural food-grade emulsifier (such as lecithin) and water.