Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for anaerobic digestion from an organic liquid sludge (21), comprising, in a known manner, a step of hydrolysis/acidogenesis of the sludge in a digester (47, 100), a step of acetogenesis for producing acetate from the hydrolysed sludge and a step of methanogenesis from the acetates for producing methane. The method comprises an initial step of creating a hydrolysed sludge emulsion (23) obtained by means of the impact of the sludge with gas (27) injected into the sludge, then continuously supplying the hydrolysed sludge to a reactor (25, 101) pressurised in line relative to the digester, before discharging said sludge from the reactor via a member (29) generating a pressure drop in the hydrolysed sludge, the initial stage being repeated at least once before supplying the, and/or via the, digester.

Abstract: A system for testing for an analyte includes a test strip. The test strip includes a first flow path. The test strip further includes a heating element in communication with a heating area of the first flow path, for heating a sample in the first flow path. The test strip further includes an e-gate, the e-gate in the first flow path, the e-gate separating the heating area from a detection area of the first flow path.

Abstract: A method for treating wastewater or sludge includes treating a sludge having a first viscosity of from about 3,000 cP to about 15,000 cP by shearing the sludge to obtain a treated sludge having a second viscosity of less than 3,000 cP, where the second viscosity persists for a period of time. The sludge may be thickened by dewatering. A chemical agent may be added to the thickened sludge during, before, or after shearing. The treated sludge may further be pumped, transported, or otherwise handled.

Abstract: Wastewater treatment systems are disclosed. A wastewater treatment system includes a wastewater conduit disposed in a wastewater treatment vessel, a pump comprising an intake and an outlet connectable to the at least one opening of the wastewater conduit, and an adapter comprising a first end and a second end. The adapter is configured, in a treatment mode, to provide a flow path for wastewater from the wastewater treatment vessel through the adapter and pump to the wastewater conduit. The adapter is further configured to, in a backflush mode, provide a flow path for wastewater through the plurality of nozzles of the wastewater conduit and through the adapter and pump for discharge into the wastewater treatment vessel. Methods of treating wastewater using the system and adapter are disclosed. Methods of retrofitting a wastewater treatment system by providing the adapter are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for treating wastewater. In one example a system for treating wastewater treatment is provided. The system comprises a biological reactor having an inlet in fluid communication with a source of wastewater and an outlet, the biological reactor configured to treat wastewater from the source of wastewater and output a biologically treated wastewater from the outlet, a solids-liquid separation system having an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the biological reactor and configured to separate the biologically treated wastewater into a solids-lean effluent and a solids-rich waste activated sludge (WAS), a treatment subsystem comprising a digester, an inlet in fluid communication with a WAS outlet of the solids-liquid separation system, and an outlet for providing ballasted and digested WAS, and a ballast feed system configured to deliver ballast to one of the biological reactor and the treatment subsystem.

Abstract: Field harvested culture mix is used to inoculate organic waste and produce an inoculated waste material, where the field harvested culture mix includes soil derived microbes. The inoculated waste material is shredded to produce shredded inoculated waste material which is fermented the shredded inoculated waste material for at least 7 days. Contents from the fermenter are then transferred into a dewatering device to produce dewatered contents which are then separated into soluble and suspended products.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating organic waste, in particular to a method for treating sludge from wastewater treatment plants, in order to produce power and/or hygienized organic matter, including a first step of mesophilic or thermophilic digestion (13) of at least one fraction of a stream of organic waste, and comprising the following steps: dehydrating (15) all of the digested and non-digested waste; aerated thermal hydrolysis (16) of the dehydrated waste, including an injection of an oxidizing agent in a quantity lower than the stoichiometric quantity for oxidizing organic matter, and setting to the required temperature by a heating means; and a second mesophilic or thermophilic digestion (17) of the stream of hydrolyzed waste.

Abstract: An automated nucleic acid analysis method and analytical system are described comprising separate modules, wherein the air flow of any one of said modules is controlled and wherein at least the air flow between the module for isolation and purification of the analyte and the module for analysis of the analyte are separated.

Abstract: An anaerobic digestion device includes a digester body configured to receive organic waste and a plurality of plates coupled to one another so as to divide an interior volume of the digester body into a plurality of compartmentalized chambers. The compartmentalized chambers are movable relative to the digester body to advance a slurry of said organic waste along a length of the digester body. A plurality of ports spaced along the digester body and arranged to vent biogas from the digester body. A storage vessel is configured to receive and store biogas received from the digester body via the ports, and a heating system configured to heat the digester body. The heating system is fuelled by the biogas vented from the digester body.

Abstract: A method of maintaining a bioreactor of a waste material treatment system is disclosed. The method comprises monitoring the condition of bacteria and/or waste material. If the condition satisfies a first set of criteria, bacteria is transferred from a bacterial backup container to the bioreactor. If the condition satisfies a second set of criteria, bacteria is transferred from the bioreactor to the bacterial backup container. In some embodiments of the present invention the method predicts the condition of the bacteria and/or waste material.

Abstract: A septic system is provided which receives both sewage and fat, oil, and grease (FOG) at an inlet. The inlet provides fluids to a first chamber. A treatment unit is adjacent the inlet. The treatment unit includes a unit for breaking down solids and mixing them with surrounding liquid. Hydro-jetting water and oxygen into the mixture at high or low pressures achieves oxygenation. Jets injecting an enzyme solution provide for maximum contact with the waste. Injection pressure may be selected to achieve rapid oxygenation at a high level. Optionally, the water may be heated. In another form, hot or cold water is injected at selected times. Temperature may be controlled to keep enzymes working properly. Enzymes may be directly injected and carried by liquid that is hydro-jetted into the fluids being treated.

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

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

Abstract: A sludge treatment plant includes an extended floor with a work surface for receiving a mass of spread-out sludge and a movable carriage positioned transversely above the work surface. The movable carriage includes a displacement tool designed to carry the sludge towards a terminal part of the work surface. A withdrawal tool is provided in order to transfer the sludge towards an outlet channel. The outlet channel includes a screw conveyor associated with a rotational drive system and equipped with a heating element. A controller is fitted in order to adjust the temperature in this screw conveyor substantially to a predetermined value between 90° C. and 100° C., while adjusting the rotational drive of the screw conveyor in order to obtain a residence time of the sludge within this screw conveyor substantially to a predetermined value of greater than 4 hours.

Abstract: A device for sewage treatment, including: a reactor and a magnetic field generator. The reactor includes a stirrer, an aerator, an activated sludge zone, an upper end including a water inlet, a side wall including a water outlet, and a bottom including a sludge outlet. The magnetic field includes magnets and iron plates. The activated sludge zone is disposed inside the reactor. The stirrer and the aerator are disposed within the activated sludge zone. The aerator is arranged beneath the stirrer. The magnetic field generator is disposed outside the reactor. The magnets and the iron plates are symmetrically disposed on two sides of the reactor, respectively, and each of the magnets is disposed on the inner side of the corresponding iron plate. The magnets disposed on both sides of the reactor produce magnetic fields having the same direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for wastewater treatment utilizing an anaerobic treatment of primary sludge (PS) in a septic tank (5), and a separate treatment of excess sludge (ÜS). The excess sludge (ÜS) is separated from the primary sludge (PS) before the anaerobic treatment, solubilized in a hydrolysis treatment and liquefied, and subjected to a separate anaerobic treatment independently of the primary sludge (PS).

Abstract: A modular methane digester facility includes prefabricated portable concrete panels and a flexible membrane roof sealing an interior space of the methane digester. A separator-conveyor dewatering device, integratable into the front end of the methane digester facility, separates a semi-solid liquid manure into a liquid portion and a solid portion. A method of dual-stage methane digestion includes stacking a solid stage in a methane digester and supplying a liquid stage to the top of the solid stage. The liquid stage percolates by gravity through the solid stage, the solid stage acts as a filter for the liquid stage, and the liquid stage acts as a methanogenic buffer for the solid stage. A method of pre-heating a mass of solids in a methane digester to a mesophilic temperature includes supplying oxygen to the mass of solids in the form of ambient air supplied to the methane digester by a reverse-air pump.

Abstract: An exemplary system for removing soil from seed comprises an auger portion, a centrifuge portion and/or a dryer portion. The auger portion comprises an inclined enclosure and an auger positioned within the enclosure and is configured to mix seed with a liquid, remove soil from the seed, and separate washed seed from the liquid and the removed soil. The centrifuge portion comprises at least one centrifuge having an outer drum and a rotatable inner basket positioned within the outer drum. The inner basket comprises a side wall having a plurality of apertures. The inner basket is configured to receive washed seed from the auger portion within the inner basket and to centrifugally separate additional liquid from the washed seed, the separated liquid passing through the plurality of apertures into the outer drum. The dryer portion further reduces moisture content of the seed using heat.

Abstract: A system of treating high nitrogen content waste water is disclosed, where the system includes a precipitation and conditioning subsystem, an ammonia stripper subsystem, and a denitrification subsystem. The system is adapted to reduce nitrogen contamination to level below about 10 ppm and in certain embodiments below 3 ppm.

Abstract: A system and method for treating high-strength organic liquid waste. Generally, the method includes feeding influent high-strength organic liquid waste including organic molecules to an anaerobic digester, converting at least a portion of the organic molecules in the liquid waste to acids using acid forming bacteria, converting at least a portion of the acids in the liquid waste to methane using methanogenic bacteria, separating the liquid waste after treatment with the methanogenic bacteria into alkaline sludge and effluent, and using the alkaline sludge to adjust the pH of the liquid waste in the anaerobic digester. In the case of acidic high-strength organic liquid wastes, a portion of the acids produced by the acid forming bacteria may be recirculated to the front of the anaerobic digester and combined with influent high-strength organic liquid waste.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the treatment of organic liquid and solid waste, comprising a first stage of treatment of the liquid content fraction of the waste by methanization, a second stage of treatment in a thermophilic or mesophilic aerobic phase of the semi-solid content fraction of the waste and a third stage in which said treated liquid and solid content portions are mixed in order to form a substrate, which is further treated by mesophilic or thermophilic aerobic phase treatment, resulting into compost.

Abstract: A Class B biosolids sludge digestion process whereby feed sludge is introduced to a completely-mixed, continuously- or intermittently fed and drawn, sealed, anaerobic digester, and sludge is drawn off at a rate such that the average mean cell residence time for the sludge in the digester is greater than or equal to 10 days, and less than 15 days. The temperature of the sludge is maintained in the thermophilic range to produce treated sludge having: a volatile solids content that is at least 38% less than the volatile solids content of the feed sludge, a reduced fecal coliform content that is at least a 2 log (base 10) reduction from the feed sludge, and where there is no more than 2,000,000 most probable number/gram total solids (dry weight basis) of fecal coliform in the treated sludge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treatment of sludge in water purification, the method comprising the steps: providing an enzyme mixture comprising at least one enzyme capable of digesting natural polymeric materials; and adding the enzyme mixture and at least one chelating reagent, in optional order or simultaneously, to an aqueous sludge suspension.

Abstract: A waste material processing system includes a closed container for holding waste material having a first passage in which the waste material flows in a first direction, the first passage having first and second ends, the first end including an inlet for waste material, a second passage in which the waste material flows in a direction opposite the first direction, the second passage having first and second ends, the second end including an outlet. The first passage is separated from the second passage by a divider, the second end of the first passage being adjacent the first end of the second passage, and the first end of the first passage being adjacent the second end of the second passage. A heating device is positioned in the first passage and/or the second passage to heat the waste material with a gas and to induce the waste material to move in a corkscrew-like fashion.

Abstract: A method for reducing the odors of an anaerobically digested dewatered biosolids or other biosolids or sludge may include separating first anaerobically digested dewatered biosolids into first and second portions, storing second anaerobically digested dewatered biosolids, removing a portion of the second biosolids, and mixing the removed second biosolids portion with the first portion of the first biosolids. The method may be implemented in a system including a separation device, first, second and third transporters, a storage area, and a mixer. The separation device may separate the first biosolids into first and second portions. The first transporter may transport the first portion to the mixer. The second transporter may transport the second portion to the storage area. The second portion may be stored in the storage area for a select time period. The third transporter may transport a portion of the stored first biosolids to the mixer for blending.

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

Abstract: The present application relates to systems and methods for processing organic materials. The method may, for example, yield nutrient-rich materials that may have various agricultural uses. The method can include, in some embodiments, forming a slurry from components comprising liquid and organic material; combining the slurry with microorganisms to form a biomass; anaerobically digesting the organic material in the biomass; and at least partially separating liquid components from the digested biomass. In some embodiments, the anaerobic digestion produces low amounts of methane. The systems may, in some embodiments, be configured to perform the method of processing organic materials.

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

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

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

Abstract: The present invention is directed to processes and business methods and wastewater treatment units for converting the waterborne residuals from wastewater generated by food processing plants into an ingredient suitable for use in animal feeds. The ingredient produced by the processes of the present invention has a high protein content and can be used as a replacement for conventional sources of animal feed protein such as fish meal.

Abstract: A method to prepare an organic composition for a digestor minimizes injury to and enhance the decomposition function of anaerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria in the organic composition. The method is utilizes at an animal processing facility. Manure produced at the facility is periodically collected at least seven day intervals and at a temperature greater than thirty-two degrees F. Large pieces of inorganic material are removed from the manure while preserving a significant proportion of the living anaerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria in the manure. The decomposition activity of anaerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria is facilitated by, at a temperature in the range of fifty degrees F to one hundred and five degrees F, adding water to produce a slurry including seventy-five to ninety-five percent by weight water and twenty-five to five percent by weight of organic material.

Abstract: A FOG waste treatment facility includes a slipstream loop incorporating circulation pumps, heat exchangers and anaerobic digesters for continuously circulating actively digesting sludge at a rate to preclude solid settlement accumulation warmed actively digesting sludge is pumped from the slipstream loop through a rock trap into a delivery/input loop both for aiding delivery of FOG waste to, and for partially filing, a receiving/conditioning holding tank. The actively digesting sludge softens and liquefies the FOG wastes offloaded into the holding tank for further treatment at a desired treatment temperature range. The contents of the receiving/conditioning holding tank are continuously mixed by a bottom-top recirculation chopper pump to pre-treat the FOG wastes, and decreasing solids particle size. The produced, flowable feedstock slurry can then be injected back into the actively digesting sludge slipstream loop at a controlled rate.

Abstract: A control system includes an estimator configured to determine a present state of a device and compare the present state of the device with an expected state of the device. The control system further includes a predictor operatively coupled to the estimator, and configured to predict an event for execution by the device to reach the expected state of the device. The control system also includes a supervisory control unit operatively coupled to the predictor and the device, and configured to facilitate execution of the predicted event by the device.

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

Abstract: A practical technique that enables effective utilization of organic wastes is provided. In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a method for producing methane gas from organic wastes according to the present invention includes: treating organic wastes with at least one of supercritical water and sub-critical water to convert the organic wastes into low molecular weight substances; and subjecting the low molecular weight substances to methane fermentation. According to the method, initially, the organic wastes are treated with at least one of the supercritical water and the sub-critical water so as to be converted into low molecular weight substances that are easily subjected to methane fermentation. Then, the treated substances are subjected to methane fermentation. Consequently, methane gas can be produced from the organic wastes at a high speed with high digestion efficiency.

Abstract: Already-treated sludge is fed back into incoming sewage, and is effective to supply nutrients needed for the microbiological breakdown of the sludge. The feedback sludge has a solids content of 10% or more, and has been sheared and heated to drive its viscosity down to 10,000 cP or less. In sludge done that way, nutrients are preserved and presented to the sewage to be treated in highly liquidized and solubilized form, whereby the nutrients are very bio-available to the microbes in the sewage. Large improvements in the elimination of biomass can result.

Abstract: A system and method for treating high-strength organic liquid waste. Generally, the method includes feeding influent high-strength organic liquid waste including organic molecules to an anaerobic digester, converting at least a portion of the organic molecules in the liquid waste to acids using acid forming bacteria, converting at least a portion of the acids in the liquid waste to methane using methanogenic bacteria, separating the liquid waste after treatment with the methanogenic bacteria into alkaline sludge and effluent, and using the alkaline sludge to adjust the pH of the liquid waste in the anaerobic digester. In the case of acidic high-strength organic liquid wastes, a portion of the acids produced by the acid forming bacteria may be recirculated to the front of the anaerobic digester and combined with influent high-strength organic liquid waste.

Abstract: The invention provides improved methods of wastewater purification. The present invention provides a process for the energy efficient production of Class A biosolids. More particularly, sewage sludge is subjected to an anaerobic digestion process resulting in class A biosolids, whereby methane gas byproducts are utilized to meet the high energy demands associated with Class A biosolid production.

Abstract: A process for transforming sludge into NPK type granulated fertilizer in which the energy consume is reduced a 90% thanks to the addition of a special filtration step in which the water content is reduced a 50% and the remaining water is evaporated by the exothermic reaction occurring in the process. Additionally, the process of the present invention includes mechanisms that allow some of the by products generated by some of the reactions, to adsorb crystallization water and reduce the humidity of the mass without using external energy.

Abstract: The invention includes an anaerobic solids digestion apparatus comprising a digester, at least one draft tube; at least one nozzle and a biogas source; a method for digesting a waste stream in an anaerobic solids digestion apparatus comprises feeding a waste stream to a digester; reacting the anaerobically biodegradable material in the waste stream with anaerobic bacteria in the digester; introducing a mixed liquor into the digester and mixing the mixed liquor; and a method for minimizing the use of inhibitory polymers by concurrently digesting and concentrating the mixed liquor in the digester.

Abstract: A process for the stabilization and disinfection of sludge wherein a) raw sludge having a dry matter content of from 3 to 7% by weight is fed continuously or quasi-continuously into a first stage, where it remains for an average retention time of three to ten days under aerobic-thermophilic conditions to obtain a partially stabilized sludge; and b) the partially stabilized sludge is fed into a second stage in which disinfection of the partially stabilized sludge is effected at temperatures of at least 50° C., wherein prior to discharging, there is no charging until the partially stabilized sludge has been disinfected.

Abstract: Already-treated sludge is fed back into incoming sewage, and is effective to supply nutrients needed for the microbiological breakdown of the sludge. The feedback sludge has a solids content of 10% or more, and has been sheared and heated to drive its viscosity down to 10,000 cP or less. In sludge done that way, nutrients are preserved and presented to the sewage to be treated in highly liquidised and solubilised form, whereby the nutrients are very bio-available to the microbes in the sewage. Large improvements in the elimination of biomass can result.

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

Abstract: The 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: An anaerobic digestion process for the treatment of domestic wastewater sludge that requires less space and funding to construct. Sludge to be treated is combined with recycled anaerobic digester sludge to form a blended sludge. The recycled anaerobic digester sludge provides a source of microorganisms necessary to initiate the breakdown of organic matter in the sludge to be treated. The sludge is then concentrated to increase total solids content to about 10-20%. Excess liquid is removed from the concentrated sludge. The concentrated sludge is then digested in an anaerobic reactor system such as a plug-flow reactor. Some benefits of the system's reduced volume, as a result of concentration of the sludge, include elimination of the necessity of substantially continuous stirring and the new possibilities for the types of construction to be used for the reactor. In addition to the reduced cost of the process itself, the process creates biogas that can be used to offset energy requirements for the process.

Abstract: A FOG waste treatment facility includes a slipstream loop incorporating circulation pumps, heat exchangers and anaerobic digesters for continuously circulating actively digesting sludge at a rate to preclude solid settlement accumulation warmed actively digesting sludge is pumped from the slipstream loop through a rock trap into a delivery/input loop both for aiding delivery of FOG waste to, and for partially filing, a receiving/conditioning holding tank. The actively digesting sludge softens and liquefies the FOG wastes offloaded into the holding tank for further treatment at a desired treatment temperature range. The contents of the receiving/conditioning holding tank are continuously mixed by a bottom-top recirculation chopper pump to pre-treat the FOG wastes, and decreasing solids particle size. The produced, flowable feedstock slurry can then be injected back into the actively digesting sludge slipstream loop at a controlled rate.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for processing organic material, the method employing at least two reactors and including the steps of combining carbon dioxide or carbon-dioxide containing gas and ammonia or ammonia-containing material in a first reactor to form a buffer compound/buffer compounds, then feeding the buffer compound or buffer compounds formed in the first reactor into a second reactor, and performing bioconversion on organic material in the second reactor. In that case, the carbon dioxide of the mixed carbon dioxide gas reacts with the ammonia, forming a buffer compound, such as ammonium bicarbonate and/or ammonium carbonate.

Abstract: A method to prepare an organic composition for a digestor minimizes injury to and enhance the decomposition function of anaerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria in the organic composition. The method is utilizes at an animal processing facility. Manure produced at the facility is periodically collected at at least seven day intervals and at a temperature greater than thirty-two degrees F. Large pieces of inorganic material are removed from the manure while preserving a significant proportion of the living anaerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria in the manure. The decomposition activity of anaerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria is facilitated by, at a temperature in the range of fifty degrees F to one hundred and five degrees F, adding water to produce a slurry including seventy-five to ninety-five percent by weight water and twenty-five to five percent by weight of organic material.

Abstract: A continuous flow multistage aerobic wastewater sludge treatment system and process comprising at least two stages connected in series, each stage comprising one or more covered tanks, tank segments or compartments, each having an enclosed separate gas headspace, wherein the gas headspaces of each stage are connected in a specified sequence that may be identical to or different from the staging sequence followed by the sludge liquid. An oxygen containing gas stream, such as air or an oxygen enriched gas stream, is supplied to the headspace of each stage, and a means for aerating the sludge in one or more of the tanks, tank segments or compartments is provided to enhance the transfer of oxygen from the gas headspace into the sludge liquid for use by bacteria in digestion of the sludge. At least one stage of the sludge digestion system is operated at a thermophilic temperature above 50° C.