Abstract: A method is described for treating animal manures and other organic wastes to destroy pathogens, reduce noxious odors, and immobilize water-soluble pollutants, thereby producing a pasteurized, granular product useful as a soil amendment. In a described implementation, the solids content of the organic waste is raised to a predetermined level to create air-filled pore space, and the pH is raised sufficiently to liberate endogenous gaseous ammonia in the air-filled pores for a predetermined time. The level of gaseous ammonia is sufficient to significantly destroy pathogens in the manure. In addition, alkaline material and/or iron salts are added to the organic waste to render certain water-soluble pollutants insoluble.

Abstract: The present invention is a process wherein sulfide production by bacteria is efficiently turned on and off, using pH adjustment. The adjustment of pH impacts sulfide production by bacteria by altering the relative amounts of H2S and HS— in solution and thereby control the inhibition of the bacterial metabolism that produces sulfide. This process can be used to make a bioreactor produce sulfide “on-demand” so that the production of sulfide can be matched to its use as a metal precipitation reagent. The present invention is of significance because it enables the use of a biological reactor, a cost effective sulfide production system, by making the biological reactor produce hydrogen sulfide “on demand”, and therefore responsive to production schedules, waste stream generation rate, and health and safety requirements/goals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel bacterial consortium EBC1000 (KCTC 0652 BP) and a method for remedying biologically a chlorine compound and recalcitrant toxic chemicals contained in industrial wastewater, waste materials and soils using the bacterial consortium EBC1000. The novel bacterial consortium EBC1000(KCTC 0652 BP) is composed of aerobic bacterium easy to culture and useful for decomposing a chlorine compound and waste acidic or alkaline recalcitrant toxic chemicals of high concentration contained in the industrial waste materials, such as IPA, MC, DMA, AN, SHS, BD, Tamol-SN, EDTA, FES, TDDM, PMH, DEHA, MeOH, NaOH and CH3CN, thus preventing and recovering environmental pollutions.

Abstract: A process and a system for removal of metals from ground water or from soil by bioreducing or bioaccumulating the metals using metal tolerant microorganisms Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is tolerant to the metals, able to bioreduce the metals to the less toxic state and to accumulate them. The process and the system is useful for removal or substantial reduction of levels of chromium, molybdenum, cobalt, zinc, nickel, calcium, strontium, mercury and copper in water.

Abstract: Microorganism growth in aqueous systems used for degradation of ether-based compounds such as MTBE is stimulated and maximized by utilizing fatty acids as the growth substrate for the microorganisms. The fatty acid functions as an inexpensive growth substrate that can be introduced into the aqueous system to quickly maximize the growth of the active microbe incorporated therein. Such a characteristic is desirable since fatty acids are non-toxic, water soluble, typically inexpensive and readily available. In one preferred embodiment, the fatty acid is food grade lactate.

Abstract: A method for treating in situ large bodies of water contaminated with heavy metals and having varying density stratas to immobilize the contaminant metals is disclosed. The method, or process for in situ immobilization of metals is focused on treating large bodies of water having metals therein that are also adjacent a border of soil or earthen materials in an attempt to immobilize the metals from penetrating through the soil. Initially, the density mean of the body of water is determined, which is densest typical at regions at or approaching 4 degrees C.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for controlling fecal odor production that develops from agricultural waste which accumulates because of the scale of hog and chicken farming. The compositions for controlling odor in waste comprise isolates of Pseudomonas sp. that assimilate ammonia, degrade skatole and reduce COD. The present invention further provides methods for controlling odors in animal waste storage facilities using the abovementioned Pseudomonas sp. compositions.

Abstract: Novel methods for biodegrading nitroaromatic compounds present as contaminants in soil or water using microorganisms are disclosed. Water is treatable directly; dry soil is first converted into a fluid medium by addition of water. The preferred method comprises two stages, each employing microorganisms: a fermentative stage, followed by an anaerobic stage. The fermentative stage is rapid, wherein an inoculum of aerobic and/or facultative microorganisms ferments a carbohydrate added to the fluid medium, exhausting the oxygen in the fluid medium and thereby inhibiting oxidative polymerization of amino by-products of the nitroaromatics. In the subsequent anaerobic stage, an inoculum of a mixed population of anaerobic microorganisms completes the mineralization of the contaminant nitroaromatics, using the remaining carbohydrate as a carbon and energy source.

Abstract: Bacterially generated polymers used as coagulants and flocculents for the removal of suspended solids from wastewater. Polymer producing bacteria such as Bacillus polymyxa NRRL 21881 are added to wastewater treatment systems. The bacteria reproduce in the system, substantially increasing the number of coagulants. Throughout their lives, the bacteria treat BOD5 in the system. When BOD5 levels are sufficiently low, the bacteria will produce polymers to increase their ability to capture organic matter. The polymers will capture the suspended particles in the water, creating strands of polymer connected particles. As different strands come into contact, they will become entwined, creating flocs. These flocs will combine and absorb the suspended particles which they encounter. If the flow of the system becomes laminar, the flocs will agglomerate to densities sufficient to allow them to fall out of suspension. The result is a reduction in effluent TSS without an offsetting increase in BOD5.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the biological purification of a water containing ammonium perchlorate, characterized in that aqueous ammonium perchlorate solution is placed in contact, in a first, aerobic reactor, with an activated sludge in the presence of at least one source of mineral carbon and nutritional elements for the metabolism of the microorganisms, and then in that the liquid effluent leaving the first reactor is placed in contact, in a second, anoxic reactor, with an activated sludge, in the presence of at least one source of organic carbon and nutritional elements for the metabolism of the microorganisms. The process makes it possible to treat aqueous solutions containing very large amounts of ammonium perchlorate and to convert both the ammonium ions into molecular nitrogen and the perchlorate ions into chloride ions.

Abstract: Sewage waste digestive bacteria and enzymes are incorporated into a slow release material and delivered to the site of the waste to digest the solid waste. The slow release material is made heavy so the enzymes and bacteria will be delivered to the sludge in the bottom of a sewage digester chamber and made fat soluble so that the enzymes and bacteria will be delivered to the grease in the waste system to be digested. This selective delivery system prevents the enzymes and bacteria from being diluted in grey water rendering them less effective and discharged from the sewage system without digesting waste.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed in which alkanes such as butane are used to degrade pollutants such as tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and carbon tetrachloride (CT) at contaminated sites. In a preferred embodiment, pollutant concentrations are reduced by injecting a butane substrate into a contaminated area to stimulate the growth of anaerobic butane-utilizing bacteria which degrade the pollutants. In addition to the anaerobic treatment, the area may optionally be treated aerobically by switching from anaerobic to aerobic conditions.

Abstract: A method for removal of free-floating oil from an aqueous environment by bio-dispersion and bio-utilization comprising the steps of: (i) isolating species/strains of bacteria having an ability to utilize hydrocarbons as the only source of carbon; (ii) admixing the bacteria with a fatty substance and hydrocarbon oil to form an oleophilic suspension comprising a physiologically active bacterial culture of hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria, the fatty substance comprising an oleophilic nutrient as a source of nitrogen and phosphorus for the bacteria, and (iii) applying the oleophilic suspension of the bacteria to a free floating oil in an aqueous environment to disperse and remove free-floating oil therefrom.

Abstract: A process for treating aqueous effluents that contain at least one ether, preferably ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) and/or methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and/or tert-amylmethylether (TAME) to reduce the concentration of said ether is described, characterized in that in the presence of a growth substrate, at least one bacterium that is selected from the group that is formed by Gordona terrae CIP I-1889 and Rhodococcus equi CIP I-2053 is grown in aerobic conditions, and the ether that is contained in the effluents is degraded in the presence of the substrate by the biomass of the bacteria that are thus produced.

Abstract: A method is described for disinfecting and deodorizing animal manures and other organic wastes to produce a pasteurized, granular product for use as a soil amendment. The solids content of the animal manure is raised to a predetermined level to create air-filled pore space, and the pH is raised sufficient to liberate endogenous gaseous ammonia in the air-filled pores for a predetermined time. The level of gaseous ammonia is sufficient to significantly destroy pathogens in the manure.

Abstract: A bioremediation device including a water dissolvable material that may be held in a netting capable of suspension. The material preferably comprises surfactants that contain hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic tails that can easily form emulsions with the sewage material present by way of critical micelle formation. These surfactants preferably include but are not limited to nonionic surfactants that carry no charge. The hydrophilic portion preferably contains numerous polar ether linkages derived from polymerization of ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide with the hydrophobe. The preferred material comprises biodegradable alkanolamine surfactants that remove grease and organic matter from waste water by biological means through the induction of bacteria and enzyme as the material dissolves in the presence of waste water.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed in which butane-utilizing bacteria are used to degrade pollutants such as trichloroethene (TCE) and trichloroethane (TCA) in-situ at contaminated sites. In a preferred embodiment, pollutant concentrations are reduced by injecting a butane substrate and an oxygen-containing gas into a contaminated area to stimulate the growth of butane-utilizing bacteria which degrade the pollutants by cometabolism or direct metabolism. Use of the butane/oxygen injection system results in substantially improved treatment of contaminated sites.

Abstract: A bacterial culture capable of degrading ethers, especially branched alkylethers including MTBE, under aerobic conditions has been prepared.

Abstract: The invention comprises the use of bacterially generated polymers as coagulants and flocculents for the removal of suspended solids from wastewater. Polymer producing bacteria such as Bacillus polymyxa NRRL 21881 are added to wastewater treatment systems. The bacteria will reproduce in the system, substantially increasing the number of coagulants over the amount of original bacteria introduced. Throughout their life cycles, the bacteria will biologically treat BOD5 in the system. When the BOD5 levels are sufficiently low, the bacteria will produce polymers to increase their ability to capture organic matter. The polymers will capture the suspended particles in the water, creating strands of polymer connected particles. As the strands come into contact with one another, the strands will become entwined, creating flocs. These flocs will combine and will absorb the suspended particles which they encounter.

Abstract: A bioreactor carrier is provided using an organic polymer substance having a water absorptivity of 50 to 1,700%, and containing an inorganic salt, organic nitrogen source and/or organic carbon source utilizable as a nutrient by animal cells, plant cells and/or microorganisms which fix to the carrier for uses such as substance production, harmful substance treatment, waste oil treatment, wastewater treatment and deodorization. A preferred polymer substance is a water swellable thermoplastic polyurethane gel having the water absorptivity and a swelling rate of volume of 150 to 4,000%. The polyurethane gel is obtained by reacting together a long-chain diol compound, a short-chain diol compound and a diisocyanate compound. The long-chain diol compound has a number-average molecular weight of 400 to 10,000, and is selected from an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer having an ethylene oxide content not less than 70% and a polyethylene glycol.

Abstract: A new method of treating water to remove perchlorate contaminant is disclosed. Water is fed through a filter bed containing perchlorate-reducing microorganisms. The microorganisms reduce the perchlorate, thereby decontaminating the water. An oxidizable substrate serves as an electron donor to the microorganisms. The invention results in safe to undetectable levels of perchlorate in the treated water.

Abstract: Butane-utilizing bacteria are used to degrade hydrocarbon pollutants such as trichloroethene (TCE). In-situ or ex-situ techniques may be used to reduce or eliminate hydrocarbon pollutants from liquid, gas and solid sources. In a preferred embodiment, TCE concentrations in various aqueous environments are reduced by contacting a contaminated water source with butane-utilizing bacteria in the presence of oxygen to degrade the TCE by cometabolism or direct metabolism. Suitable butane-utilizing bacteria include Pseudomonas, Variovorax, Nocardia, Chryseobacterium, Comamonas, Acidovorax, Rhodococcus, Aureobacterium, Micrococcus, Aeromonas, Stenotrophomonas, Sphingobacterium, Shewanella, Phyllobacterium, Clavibacter, Alcaligenes, Gordona, Corynebacterium and Cytophaga. The butane-utilizing bacteria have relatively low TCE toxicity in comparison with conventional methane-utilizing bacteria, and demonstrate an improved ability to degrade TCE.

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.

Abstract: Dissolved selenium is removed from contaminated water by treating the water in a reactor containing selected endemic and other selenium reducing organisms. Microbes may be isolated from the specific water or imported from other selenium contaminated water, The microbes are then screened for ability to reduce selenium under the site specific environmental conditions. The selected microbes are optimized for selenium reduction, then established in a high density biofilm within a reactor. The selenium contaminated water is passed through the reactor with optimized nutrient mix added as needed. The elemental selenium is precipitated and removed from the water.

Abstract: This invention presents a newly discovered, novel strain of Bacillus bacteria that produces lipase enzymes for the degradation of oleaginous materials such as fats, greases and cooking oils, protease enzymes to degrade proteins and amylases to break down starch. This novel strain and the enzymes produced thereby have a number of applications, including wastewater treatments, agricultural uses, laundry and dish detergents, drain cleaners and spot removers, among others.

Abstract: This invention presents a newly discovered, novel strain of Bacillus bacteria that produces lipase enzymes for the degradation of oleaginous materials such as fats, greases and cooking oils, protease enzymes to degrade proteins and amylases to break down starch. This novel strain and the enzymes produced thereby have a number of applications, including wastewater treatments, agricultural uses, laundry and dish detergents, drain cleaners and spot removers, among others.

Abstract: This invention presents a newly discovered, novel strain of Bacillus bacteria that produces lipase enzymes for the degradation of oleaginous materials such as fats, greases and cooking oils, protease enzymes to degrade proteins and amylases to break down starch. This novel strain and the enzymes produced thereby have a number of applications, including wastewater treatments, agricultural uses, laundry and dish detergents, drain cleaners and spot removers, among others.

Abstract: Butane-utilizing bacteria are used to degrade pollutants comprising polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). In-situ or ex-situ techniques may be used to reduce or eliminate PCB pollutants from liquid, gas and solid sources. In a preferred embodiment, PCB concentrations in various aqueous environments are reduced by contacting a contaminated water source with butane-utilizing bacteria in the presence of oxygen to degrade the PCB by cometabolism or direct metabolism. Suitable butane-utilizing bacteria include Pseudomonas, Variovorax, Nocardia, Chryseobacterium, Comamonas, Acidovorax, Rhodococcus, Aureobacterium, Micrococcus, Aeromonas, Stenotrophomonas, Sphingobacterium, Shewanella, Phyllobacterium, Clavibacter, Alcaligenes, Gordona, Corynebacterium and Cytophaga.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining nitrification effectiveness of activated sludge in an aqueous solution, includes supplying equivalent quantities of an activated sludge, an aqueous solution, and a gas containing oxygen to each of first and second reaction vessels; simultaneously delivering a nitrification inhibitor to only the second reaction vessel; performing a bacterial respiration reaction in the vessels for either a preselected period of time or continuously in which case the materials are supplied per unit of time so that the bacterial respiration reaction in the first reaction vessel, where oxygen consumption as a result of total bacterial respiration occurs and includes oxygen consumption as a result of endogenous respiration, oxygen consumption as a result of nitrification, and oxygen consumption as a result of degradation of carbon compounds, may be compared with the respiration reaction in the second reaction vessel where oxygen consumption includes oxygen consumption as a result of endogenou

Abstract: This invention provides a process for the biotreatment of wastewater from pulping industries. Sulfides are removed by a number of strains of bacteria from the genus Thiobacillus or Thiobacillus denitrificans. COD and BOD are concurrently removed with the sulfides by an improved co-cultural blend comprising co-cultures of a number of strains of the Thiobacillus or Thiobacillus denitrificans bacteria with heterotrophs. At least approximately 20%, and preferably between approximately 40% and approximately 60%, of the improved co-cultural blend comprises the co-cultures of a number of strains of the Thiobacillus or Thiobacillus denitrificans bacteria with the heterotrophs. Acclimation of the heterotrophs to the species to be removed is accomplished with biological acclimation reactors which reduce mycell toxicity for the heterotrophs. To control pH of the heterotrophic reaction with inorganic and organic sulfides, magnesium oxide (MgO) is utilized along with caustic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel strains of Pseudomonas putida, more specifically, to a novel strain of Pseudomonas putida which are tolerant to organic solvents including hydrocarbons, alcohols, ethers, ketones and their derivatives or mixtures thereof, and a mutant strain of said microorganism having the availability of genetic manipulation. The said Pseudomonas putida strains can be used in biotransformation in the presence of organic solvents and bioremediation of toxic organic compounds. Furthermore, they are useful as supply sources of resistance genes and cell fusion of organic solvent-tolerant microorganisms producing useful substances and the breeding of said microorganisms can be practiced in the art, which allows their universal use in the fields of bioreactor, liquid-waste treatment, protein engineering, etc.

Abstract: Alkane-utilizing bacteria are used to degrade pollutants comprising petroleum compounds. In-situ or ex-situ techniques may be used to reduce or eliminate petroleum pollutants from liquid, gas and solid sources. In a preferred embodiment, petroleum concentrations in various environments are reduced by contacting the petroleum pollutants with butane-utilizing bacteria in the presence of oxygen to degrade the petroleum pollutants by cometabolism or direct metabolism. Suitable alkane-utilizing bacteria include Pseudomonas, Variovorax, Nocardia, Chryseobacterium, Comamonas, Acidovorax, Rhodococcus, Aureobacterium, Micrococcus, Aeromonas, Stenotrophomonas, Sphingobacterium, Shewanella, Phyllobacterium, Clavibacter, Alcaligenes, Gordona, Corynebacterium and Cytophaga.

Abstract: The invention provides a system 10 for treatment and purification of domestic household effluent, and for the elimination within said system of organic solid wastes, comprising elements 12 and 14 for separately collecting first and second constituents of the sewage of a domestic residential unit, lavatory sewage comprising said first sewage constituent, and bath, shower, wash basin, laundry, kitchen sink sewage and the like comprising said second sewage constituent, a first and a second dual-purpose vessel 22 and 24, each vessel having at least one inlet port 18 and 20 and at least one outlet port 26, 28, 30, 32 and being arranged so that during the time period that one of said vessels 22 receives said first sewage constituent and acts as a collector and settling tank, the remaining vessel 24 operates as an anaerobic reaction vessel, the vessel operating as an anaerobic reaction vessel carrying out a decomposition process during which the volume of sludge 34 contained therein is greatly reduced by conversion

Abstract: The present invention relates to Gram-negative sulfate-reducing bacteria strains which grow under anaerobic conditions at pH values between 3.9 and 9.5 and temperatures between 3.degree. C. and 45.degree. C. and which reduce sulfate to sulfide, utilize methanol as a source of carbon and energy, do not require further carbon and energy sources in addition to methanol, and are tolerant to metals. The present invention further relates to methods of decontaminating sulfuric-acid, metal-containing and radioactively contaminated water, particularly methods of decontaminating pit and flooding water in disused uranium mines or washing water from soil refining plants.

Abstract: A method and system for carrying out the bio-degradation of perchlorates, nitrates, hydrolysates and other energetic materials from wastewater, including process groundwater, ion exchange effluent brines, hydrolyzed energetics, drinking water and soil wash waters, which utilizes at least one microaerobic reactor having a controlled microaerobic environment and containing a mixed bacterial culture. By the method of the present invention, perchlorates, nitrates, hydrolysates and other energetics can be reduced to non-detectable concentrations, in a safe and cost effective manner, using readily available non-toxic low cost nutrients. The treatment of significantly higher concentrations of perchlorate, nitrate, etc. (<1.5 wt %) than was previously contemplated is made possible.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for removing perchlorate and/or nitrate from contaminated material utilizing perc1ace bacteria under anaerobic conditions. Perc1ace is a gram-negative, curved rod, facultative anaerobe which is deposited with the American Type Culture Collection under ATCC No. 202172. Perc1ace may be used as a substitute for anaerobic bacteria which are presently being used in biological systems for removing perchlorate and/or nitrate from water and other contaminated materials, such as soil.

Abstract: A process for the biological treatment of bitumen froth tailings produced from a tar sands treatment and bitumen froth extraction process is disclosed. In this process bitumen froth tailings, containing native hydrocarbon metabolizing microorganisms, are mixed with a growth media to form an inoculum which is then incubated under isothermal conditions for an amount of time to produce a mixed bacterial culture containing bioliquor and a water product containing a reduced amount of asphaltenes as well as solids such as clays and sands. The bioliquor produced in this process is then utilized in the initial tar sands conditioning process from which bitumen froth is produced as well as in the initial tar sands mining process via bioliquor injection directly into the tar sands formation. Because the mixed bacterial culture is made up of a number of hydrocarbon metabolizing microorganisms, the bioliquor is also used in the degradation of the asphaltenes.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for controlling fecal odor production that develops from agricultural waste which accumulates because of the scale of hog and chicken farming. The compositions for controlling odor in waste comprise isolates of Pseudomonas sp. that assimilate ammonia, degrade skatole and reduce COD. The present invention further provides methods for controlling odors in animal waste storage facilities using the abovementioned Pseudomonas sp. compositions.

Abstract: A method of reducing sulfide odors in wastewater collection and treatment systems. The method includes adding nitrate ions in the form of a controlled release composition and microbes to the wastewater effective to reduce hydrogen sulfide levels. The controlled release composition can be in the form of a water-in-oil emulsion. The microbes can be aerobic and facultative Bacillus species.

Abstract: An installation for the simultaneous separation and removal of fats and oils in waste water, which includes a treatment container chamber for receiving a liquid medium. Out of the treatment container chamber, through a bottom outlet, is an overflow pipe running upwards and which opens outwardly outside of the treatment container chamber as a discharge pipe, so that its inside bottom edge, at the point where it opens outwardly, defines a level of a medium in the treatment container chamber. A support material in the form of a plurality of plastic tubes is wound with lengths of polyester cord colonized with a fat and oil-degrading yeast microorganism Yarrowia lipolytica W1 in the treatment container chamber. A nutrient solution container, with a metering pump for feeding NH.sub.4+ into the treatment container chamber, as required, is included as a source of nitrogen for the fat and oil-degrading microorganism, along with a device for supplying the microorganisms with air.

Abstract: Butane-utilizing bacteria are used to degrade hydrocarbon pollutants such as trichloroethene (TCE). In-situ or ex-situ techniques may be used to reduce or eliminate hydrocarbon pollutants from liquid, gas and solid sources. In a preferred embodiment, TCE concentrations in various aqueous environments are reduced by contacting a contaminated water source with butane-utilizing bacteria in the presence of oxygen to degrade the TCE by cometabolism or direct metabolism. Suitable butane-utilizing bacteria include Pseudomonas, Variovorax, Nocardia, Chryseobacterium, Comamonas, Acidovorax, Rhodococcus, Aureobacterium, Micrococcus, Aeromonas, Stenotrophomonas, Sphingobacterium, Shewanella, Phyllobacterium, Clavibacter, Alcaligenes, Gordona, Corynebacterium and Cytophaga. The butane-utilizing bacteria have relatively low TCE toxicity in comparison with conventional methane-utilizing bacteria, and demonstrate an improved ability to degrade TCE.

Abstract: A process for the biological treatment of a spent caustic solution containing sulphides is disclosed, wherein the solution is introduced into an aerobic reactor containing sulphide-oxidising bacteria, and the sulphides are partly converted to elemental sulphur and partly to sulphate by controlling the redox potential in the reactor at a value below -300 mV (against an Ag/AgCl reference electrode), or below -97 (against a H.sub.2 reference electrode). Also disclosed is process for the biological treatment of an aqueous solution containing sulphides and/or mercaptans in an aerobic reactor, wherein the solution is treated in the presence of bacteria of the new species Methylophaga sulfidovorans.

Abstract: An effective water purifier containing microorganisms other than Bacillus strains and a method of water purification, the water purifier containing Lactobacillus paracasei subspecies paracasei, Enterococcus malodoratus and Candida lipolytica.

Abstract: The invention comprises the use of bacterially generated polymers as coagulants and flocculents for the removal of suspended solids from wastewater. Polymer producing bacteria such as Bacillus polymyxa NRRL 21881 are added to wastewater treatment systems. The bacteria will reproduce in the system, substantially increasing the number of coagulants over the amount of original bacteria introduced. Throughout their life cycles, the bacteria will biologically treat BOD.sub.5 in the system. When the BOD.sub.5 levels are sufficiently low, the bacteria will produce polymers to increase their ability to capture organic matter. The polymers will capture the suspended particles in the water, creating strands of polymer connected particles. As the strands come into contact with one another, the strands will become entwined, creating flocs. These flocs will combine and will absorb the suspended particles which they encounter.

Abstract: In a method of biologically removing nitrogen and a system therefor according to the present invention, by utilizing the characteristics of AH bacteria as being nitrifying bacteria of nitrous acid type for displaying high activity at the high concentration of ammonium nitrogen and the characteristics of AL bacteria as being nitrifying bacteria of nitrous acid type for displaying high activity at the low concentration of the ammonium nitrogen, in the nitrifying process, operations capable of obtaining the maximum nitrifying speed in accordance with the concentration of the ammonium nitrogen can be performed, and the nitrifying reaction of nitrous acid type for producing nitrous acid as being an intermediate oxide material of the ammonium nitrogen can be performed.

Abstract: Bacterial complexes are provided which may be used in the digestion and decomposition of residues of biological origin in the form of biomass, and the transformation of these residues into non-polluting organic compounds. Also provided are the applications of these bacterial complexes to the treatment of waste of biological origin such as excrement (pig, ruminent, equid, or poultry litter), liquid manures, corpses, and stagnant waters. In these applications, this waste is converted into compost or other stable, biodegradable, and non-polluting nitrogenous compounds. The bacterial complexes essentially contain at least one non-pathogenic Bacillus and at least one non-pathogenic Lactobacillus.

Abstract: Aqueous waste streams with high chemical oxygen demand and high nitrate levels are treated in a single-stage anaerobic digester by the use of a nutrient mix that includes NiCl.sub.2 plus one or more water soluble salts of Fe, Ca, Co, Mo, K, or P, in addition to the denitrifying bacteria and yeast, using pH control and temperature control.

Abstract: Precipitating of metals and degrading of xenobiotic organic compounds is carried out with a reactor containing microorganisms immobilized on a membrane made of an inorganic oxide such as ZrO.sub.2, Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3, or Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and an organic polymer such as polysulfone. The membrane has a skin side and an open side, and pores of the skin side are smaller than pores of the open side. The microorganisms are immobilized as a biofilm on the skin side of the membrane. A nutrient chamber supplies a nutrient solution to the open side of the membrane and the nutrient solution passes through the membrane from the open side to contact the microorganisms on the skin side. An effluent chamber supplies an effluent solution containing a metal in the form of a salt, a xenobiotic compound such as a chlorinated organic compound or both to the biofilm of microorganisms on the skin side, and the microorganisms precipitate the metal and/or degrade the xenobiotic compound.

Abstract: A Microthrix parvicella (and other microorganisms) foaming controlling method of waste water treatment includes a step of injecting polymer to the aeration basins of an industrial or domestic waste water activated sludge treatment systems. When polymer is present in the aeration basin it reduces the buoyancy of the Microthrix parvicella, most likely by reducing the cell surface hydrophobicity or by coagulation and flocculation of the Microthrix parvicella (and other microorganisms) floc. This allows foam causing microorganisms to escape the treatment system.

Abstract: There are here provided a method for biodegrading trichloroethylene which comprises the step of bringing an aqueous medium containing trichloroethylene into contact with microorganisms having a trichloroethylene degrading ability derived from intestines of termites to degrade trichloroethylene; a method for obtaining the microorganisms; a method for remediating a soil by the use of the microorganisms; and a method for biodegrading an chlorinated organic compound with the microorganisms.