Controlling Process In Response To Stream Constituent Or Reactant Concentration Patents (Class 210/614)
  • Patent number: 8894855
    Abstract: A hybrid method and system of treating wastewater with reduced energy usage is disclosed. The treatment system has a sorption system and an anaerobic digester that digests or converts at least a portion of the solids or sludge from the sorption system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Wenjun Liu, Edward John Jordan, George W. Smith, Joseph Edward Zuback
  • Publication number: 20140332464
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling dissolved oxygen levels in a secondary treatment system of a wastewater treatment facility that can employ a membrane bioreactor in which oxygen introduction into mixed liquor is controlled to prevent bulking and minimize generation of extra cellular polymeric substances. The control is exercised by insuring that dissolved oxygen levels within the mixed liquor do not fall below a minimum system level at which microorganism stress would occur. This is done by setting a minimum dissolved oxygen level control point equal to a sum of the minimum system level and an adjustment factor determined on the basis of oxygen uptake rate and time delays inherent in sensing oxygen levels and changes thereof within the mixed liquor. The minimum system dissolved oxygen level can be continually calculated on the basis of an inferred food to mass ratio that would vary with sensed mixed liquor suspended solids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventor: Malcolm E. Fabiyi
  • Publication number: 20140319055
    Abstract: A method and system for treating wastewater is disclosed. In one embodiment the method includes introducing the wastewater into an aerated anoxic treatment unit, flowing an oxygen containing gas into the wastewater in the aerated anoxic treatment unit at a first flow rate, measuring a concentration of a nitrogen species in the wastewater in the aerated anoxic treatment unit, comparing the measured concentration of the nitrogen species to a target nitrogen species concentration, adjusting the flow of the oxygen containing gas into the wastewater in the aerated anoxic treatment unit to a second flow rate in response to a difference in the nitrogen species and the target nitrogen species concentrations, and maintaining the second flow rate for a time period sufficient for the wastewater to be treated in the aerated anoxic treatment unit and form an anoxically treated liquid having a reduced concentration of the nitrogen species.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Michael L. Doyle, Michael Casey Whittier
  • Publication number: 20140311972
    Abstract: A method and nitrification system for nitrifying a centrate stream produced from dewatering sludge within a wastewater treatment facility in which the centrate stream into a nitrification reactor containing accumulated centrate with a bacterial population of AOB and NOB nitrifying bacteria to the ammonia content within the centrate stream into nitrates and an oxygen containing gas is introduced into the accumulated centrate to support bacterial activity of the AOB and NOB nitrifying bacteria. Additionally, a conditioning method is obtained in which the bacterial population is grown within the nitrification reactor in conditioning stages that involve the introduction of incoming centrate into the reactor with a successively decreasing degree of dilution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Malcolm Fabiyi, Asun Larrea, Monica de Gracia
  • Patent number: 8845900
    Abstract: Waste-treatment processes are enhanced through generation and introduction of specific biological populations customized to perform or favor specific tasks either during the main process, for the formation or precipitation of certain biological nutrients, or to accomplish solids formation reduction in a post-treatment process. These bacteria may be grown from specialized mixes of activated sludge and waste influent by exposing these materials to controlled environments (e.g., in an off-line treatment area). They may then be returned to the main process to perform certain tasks such as converting particulate cBOD into soluble cBOD for utilization, to reduce high solids yield organisms by supplementing the population characteristics with low yield organism characteristics, to provide biological nutrients or oxygenation assistance, to improve nitrification/denitrification efficiency, or to disfavor filamentous biology such as Norcardia sp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Daniel R. Miklos
  • Publication number: 20140284272
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a bioremediation agent and method of bioremediation of an oil spill are disclosed. The bioremediation agent contains oil-digesting bacteria and bacterial nutrients in a buoyant water semi-insoluble and biodegradable casein product. The bioremediation agent may be distributed by boats or seeded by aircraft to remediate oil from coastlines after an oil spill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventor: John P. Fuhrer
  • Patent number: 8840789
    Abstract: A local sewage processing unit is provided that receives sewage from a local source of sewage, extracts water from the received sewage that is suitable for re-use and includes a pump that is configured to pump sewage from a receiving section of the local sewage processing unit into a pressure sewer network, as required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Mono Pumps Limited
    Inventors: Alan Creffield, Andrew Moore, Stephen Watt
  • Publication number: 20140263045
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes gasifying a fuel source using a first oxygen stream supplied from an air separation unit (ASU), discharging a gasifier blowdown from a gasification and scrubbing system configured to gasify the fuel source, generating a grey water from the gasifier blowdown, and biologically treating the grey water in a reactor using a second oxygen stream supplied by the ASU.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Anindra Mazumdar, Dinh-Cuong Vuong, James Scott Kain, Paul Roberts Scarboro
  • Publication number: 20140263041
    Abstract: A reactor and control method for maximizing nitrogen removal and minimizing aeration requirements through control of transient anoxia and aerobic SRT, repression of NOB, and control of dynamic DO concentrations or aeration interval by keeping the reactor NH4 and NOx concentrations approximately equal. Controls are provided for maximizing the potential for TIN removal through nitrification, limited nitritation, nitritation, denitrification, limited denitritation, denitritation making use of 1) real time measurement of ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, 2) operational DO and the proper use of DO setpoints, and 3) proper implementation of transient anoxia within a wide range of reactor configurations and operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicants: Hampton Roads Sanitation District, D.C. Water & Sewer Authority
    Inventors: Pusker Regmi, Mark Miller, Sudhir N. Murthy, Charles B. Bott
  • Publication number: 20140246369
    Abstract: A process and system for treating wastewater is described. The invention degrades sludge produced by treatment of the wastewater to reduce or eliminate the need for sludge dewatering and disposal. The invention also reduces the amount of nutrient additives required to sustain the aerobic wastewater treatment process. In one embodiment the invention includes the steps of (a) providing an aerobic treatment system receiving a supply of the wastewater; (b) treating a supply of the sludge to rupture microbial cells present therein to produce treated sludge having an increased liquid:solid ratio and an increased degradation potential in comparison to untreated sludge; (c) conveying a supply of the treated sludge to the aerobic treatment system; and (d) substantially degrading the supply of treated sludge in the aerobic treatment system. The treated sludge may optionally be subjected to anaerobic digestion prior to delivery to the aerobic treatment system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: PARADIGM ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Robert John Stephenson, Scott Christopher Laliberte, Preston Yee Ming Hoy, Patrick William George Neill
  • Patent number: 8821727
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system includes one or more aeration tanks for receiving wastewater, a controller for controlling the amount of air delivered to each of the one or more aeration tanks by a blower assembly, and a sensor assembly for periodically measuring values corresponding to the amount of dissolved oxygen in at least one of the one or more aeration tanks. When the sensor assembly measures values that are less than a low setpoint value, the controller causes the blower assembly to incrementally deliver more air until the sensor assembly measures values that are not less than the low setpoint value. When the sensor assembly measures values that exceed the low setpoint value, the controller causes the blower assembly to incrementally deliver less air until either the sensor assembly measures values that are not greater than the low setpoint value, or the blower assembly reaches a preselected low operating threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Aero-Mod Incorporated
    Inventors: John Maurice McNellis, Brian Scott Thiemann, Robin Dale Mahan, Jeri Louis Meyer, Todd Lee Steinbach
  • Publication number: 20140217018
    Abstract: A biological reactor which is intermittently aerated to create an environment that alternates from aerobic to anoxic. A programmable logic controller controls the amount and timing of air flow to the biological reactor linking aeration to incoming load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventors: Keith Dobie, Philip B. Pedros, Andrew R. McBrearty
  • Patent number: 8784658
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for treating wastewater that includes the steps of: —a contact step, wherein wastewater contacts bacteria retained on a support surface and the dissolved oxygen concentration of the wastewater is maintained at 2.0 mg/l or less; an aeration step, wherein gas is passed through wastewater that has passed through the contact step and the dissolved oxygen concentration of the wastewater is reduced as the wastewater passes through the aeration step; a sedimentation step, wherein wastewater that has passed through the aeration step is substantially separated into treated water and sludge; and a sludge recycling step, wherein sludge from the sedimentation step is passed to the contact step. The invention also relates to a processing unit on which the aforementioned process may be operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Bluewater Bio Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Garry Hoyland
  • Patent number: 8758615
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing anaerobic digestion of biomaterials using a clarifier, a batch reactor, and/or a digester are disclosed. The clarifier performs pretreatment processing of biomaterial to improve anaerobic digestion. The batch reactor and/or the digester are coupled to the clarifier and are configured to digest the processed biomaterial. A control system for an anaerobic digestion process includes a flow control system, a temperature control system, and a totalization system. The flow control system controls the flow of biomaterial and the delivery of chemical agents to the biomaterial based on conductivity, temperature, pressure, and/or composition of the biomaterial. The temperature control system includes a heat source and heat exchangers that control the temperature of the biomaterial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Epcot Crenshaw Corporation
    Inventor: Charles Satish Smith
  • Publication number: 20140158614
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and devices for biologically treating water and/or wastewater. The methods and devices for treating wastewater may be enhanced using an surge lifting device which moves water and/or solids using volumes of air (for liquid transfer and mixing) and the automatic sludge return mechanism, combined with alternating aeration on and off operation to achieve comprehensive nitrogen and phosphorus removal. This surge lifting device can provide occasional surges of water using large bubbles which are able to move great volume of liquid while minimizing dissolved oxygen transfer to the surrounding liquid. Use of the devices and processes herein provides a simple, eloquent approach to wastewater treatment with less operation and maintenance costs than conventional devices and/or processes. The same surge lifting device can also be installed in an anaerobic digester, and use the biogas generated below the device to automatically mix the digester, without external energy input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventor: Jianmin Wang
  • Publication number: 20140138308
    Abstract: An automatically controlled wastewater treatment process can include automatically controlling nitrification and denitrification capacity in a water source. The nitrification and denitrification capacity can be automatically controlled simultaneously. In addition, the wastewater treatment process can also include automatically controlling solids retention time (SRT) and biological phosphorus removal in a water source as well as automatically controlling the removal of water from a containment device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Xylem Water Solutions U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Sarah Olivia Elger, Asa Helena Goransdotter Henriksson, John Edward Koch, III
  • Publication number: 20140131274
    Abstract: A method of treating wastewater in a wastewater treatment system is disclosed. The wastewater treatment system receives an influent of the wastewater and having at least a first bioreactor and a second bioreactor each having therein bacteria for treating the waste material. The method comprises: monitoring a load parameter being indicative of a load on the second bioreactor; responsively to a monitored value of the load parameter, controlling at least one flow rate selected from the group consisting of (i) a flow rate from the influent to the second bioreactor through the first bioreactor, and (ii) a flow rate from the influent directly to the second bioreactor, so as to maintain a generally constant and predetermined load on the second bioreactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Biological Petroleum Cleaning Ltd
    Inventors: David Amir, Amir Kleinstern, Gili Bittan-Banin
  • Patent number: 8696907
    Abstract: The invention relates to a plant and a method for the treatment and disposal of waste water containing salts and oil, in particular produced water, comprising at least one settling area for receiving the waste water and for separating oil proportions from the waste water, at least one subsequent reed bed area having plants for the uptake and degradation of contaminants in the waste water, at least one modular basin area having a plurality of utility basins, whereby a utility basin, controlled by way of distribution means, can be supplied with treated waste water from the reed bed area and/or from at least one other utility basin, and at least one saline area for the reception of the residual water from the modular basin area and for the evaporation of water and the concentration of salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Bauer Umwelt GmbH
    Inventors: Wolf-Dieter Rausch, Roman Breuer
  • Publication number: 20140091035
    Abstract: A reactor and control method thereof to maximize nitrogen removal and minimize aeration requirement through control of transient anoxia and aerobic SRT, repression of NOB, and control of dynamic DO concentrations or aeration interval by keeping the reactor NH4 and NOx concentrations approximately equal has been proposed. Controls described in this invention maximizes the potential for TIN removal through nitrification, limited nitritation, nitritation, denitrification, limited denitritation, denitritation making use of 1) real time measurement of ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, 2) operational DO and the proper use of DO setpoints, and 3) proper implementation of transient anoxia within a wide range of reactor configurations and operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicants: Hampton Roads Sanitation District, D.C. Water & Sewer Authority
    Inventors: Pusker Regmi, Mark Miller, Charles B. Bott
  • Patent number: 8685247
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and processes of wastewater treatment and, in particular, to systems and methods of treating wastewater utilizing biological treatments utilizing two mixed liquor recycle streams for nutrient removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC
    Inventor: John Edward Olson
  • Publication number: 20140083939
    Abstract: Methods for producing ethanol from cellulosic biomass and, in particular, methods for controlling steam explosion pretreatment operations are disclosed. In some particular embodiments, the total solids content of biomass entering a pretreatment digester is calculated to provide operational data and feedback control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: ABENGOA BIOENERGY NEW TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Quang A. Nguyen, Weidong He, Leroy D. Holmes
  • Patent number: 8679340
    Abstract: A method for treating LNAPL source zones using a cost effective LNAPL source zone technology to degrade residual LNAPL, by introducing bioremediation amendments comprising nutritional supplements in quantities, locations, and depths required to stimulate and sustain the anaerobic biodegradation of an LNAPL source zone; monitoring the LNAPL source zone for adverse conditions that decrease anaerobic LNAPL biodegradation; eliminating any identified adverse conditions to sustain LNAPL biodegradation; and maintaining the water with nutritional supplements in quantities, locations, and depths required to stimulate and sustain the anaerobic biodegradation of LNAPL.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Parsons Corporation
    Inventor: Glenn Ulrich
  • Patent number: 8658037
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining the physiological state of a microbial community, which rapidly and precisely determines the physiological state of a microbial community present in a treatment tank of a wastewater biological treatment facility; and a wastewater treatment method utilizing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko PMC Corporation
    Inventors: Ryoji Igarashi, Takuji Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20140027377
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for treatment of industrial waste water containing both easy biodegradable and heavy biodegradable matter wherein the process comprises the two steps of first treating the waste water in a bioreactor wherein a nitrate solution is added and secondly treating the waste water in a chemical oxidation step wherein an oxidizer, permanganate, is added.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: Tim Corben, Wolfram Franke, Marina Ettl, Jan Hilmers
  • Publication number: 20140027376
    Abstract: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as BTEX methanol and other non-phase separable hydrocarbons may be removed from wastewater obtained from oil or gas exploration or production operations by way of a bioreactor. The bioreactor may employ anaerobic microorganisms that metabolize various VOCs. In some embodiments, such a bioreactor may be configured to treat process flow rates of thousands of barrels of wastewater per hour. Such a bioreactor may comprise a large vessel at a larger water treatment site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: RN Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kerry J. Spiroff, Nathan Zaugg, Huiwei Yu
  • Publication number: 20140008296
    Abstract: A septic tank monitoring system is disclosed. The system can include a septic tank gauge having a float disposed within a housing, the housing having a first magnetic switch and a second magnetic switch, the float having a magnet adapted to activate the first magnetic switch when the float is at a first level and to active the second magnetic switch when the float is at a second level. The system can also include a controller adapted to receive a signal from each of the first magnetic switch and the second magnetic switch, and to activate an auto-dialer in response to a signal from the first magnetic switch, and to activate a water supply shut off valve in response to a signal from the second magnetic switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Laura Mills, Michael R. Mills
  • Patent number: 8623213
    Abstract: A hybrid method and system of treating wastewater with reduced energy usage is disclosed. The treatment system has a sorption system, an anaerobic digester that digests or converts at least a portion of the solids or sludge from the sorption system, and an aerobic treatment tank that partially reduces oxygen demand of a portion of the sludge from the sorption tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Water Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Wenjun Liu, Edward J. Jordan, Joseph E. Zuback, George W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20130327709
    Abstract: The present invention describes a method of optimizing CO2 concentration to increase the specific growth rate of Anammox bacteria and methanogens in wastewater and sludge treatment, as well as novel systems and methods of treating wastewater and sludge. The specific growth rate or doubling time of the Anammox bacteria and methanogens were determined to be sensitive to dissolved CO2 concentration. Optimizing dissolved CO2 concentration increases the specific growth rate of the Anammox bacteria, which may be used as an alternative biological nitrogen removal process for the treatment of domestic wastewater. In the method and system of treating sludge, the CO2 stripper returns biogas with low CO2 concentration to the headspace of an anaerobic digester in order to lower the headspace CO2 concentration and therefore, the soluble CO2 concentration. The lower soluble CO2 concentration increases the specific growth rate of the methanogens for a more efficient anaerobic digestion process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
    Inventor: Peter George Stroot
  • Publication number: 20130319938
    Abstract: A method for treating water laden with nitrogen in the form of ammonium within a sequencing batch reactor, said method including: a first step of feeding said water into said sequencing batch reactor; an aerated nitritation step); an anoxic denitritation step; and a step of extracting treated water from said reactor. The method further includes an in-line measurement of the nitrite concentration of said water in said reactor, a step of measuring the pH of said water contained in said reactor, a step of determining information that is representative of the nitrous-acid (HNO2) concentration of said water contained in said reactor on the basis of said in-line measurement of the nitrite concentration and said pH measurement, and a step of controlling the duration of said aerated nitritation process in accordance with said nitrous-acid concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies Support
    Inventors: Romain Lemaire, Julien Chauzy, Frédéric Veuillet
  • Patent number: 8585892
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system includes independent wastewater treatment facilities. Each of the facilities has a number of wastewater treatment subsystems. A wastewater collection subsystem holds wastewater to be treated. A pump subsystem moves wastewater from a wastewater collector to a filtration subsystem having a bioreacting filter. The filter has a sump and a fluidized-bed filter therein and supports the filter upright. The filter has an upwardly expanding, hollow, conical filter body with filter media. A monitoring subsystem measures wastewater process parameters. Control devices receive control commands and, dependent upon the command received, alter parameters of the wastewater treatment subsystems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Biofilter Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Mark B. Robertson, David O'Keefe, John D. Cox, Daniel T. White
  • Patent number: 8574435
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an advanced treatment system processing contaminated water or fouled water/waste water, and particularly, a system for membrane fouling control and reduction in the amount of sludge producing in a membrane combined-type fouled water/waste water advanced treatment system, and more particularly, a system capable of making sludge soluble using plasma and then re-utilizing cell byproducts of destructed sludge as a supply source of external carbon source, and possibly capable of removing a cake layer formed on a membrane using each kind of radical and ozone generated by plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignees: Hoseo University Academic Cooperation Foundation, Kumkang Environmental Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: In Soung Chang, Ji Sun Lee, Seun Young Joung, Cheol Ku Lee
  • Patent number: 8568592
    Abstract: A method for removing phosphorus and nitrogen from an activated sludge wastewater treatment system is provided consisting of one or more anaerobic zones followed by two or more activated sludge reactors operating in parallel each having independent aeration/mixing means, whereby the utilization of the influent organic carbon under anoxic conditions; and thereby, the selection of denitrifying phosphate accumulating organisms (DNPAOs) over non-denitrifying phosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs), is maximized in order to further maximize the removal of phosphorus and nitrogen in the wastewater treatment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: dTEC Systems LLC
    Inventor: Thomas E. Coleman
  • Patent number: 8545700
    Abstract: The invention includes a method for the optimization of the soluble CO2 concentration in the aeration basin of an activated sludge system, which significantly improves the specific growth rate of the nitrifying bacteria. The result is a reduction in capital and energy costs for municipalities. The rate of nitrification is a product of the nitrifying bacteria biomass concentration and the specific growth rate of the bacteria. In the activated sludge system, the biomass concentration is maintained at high concentrations by reducing the wasting rate. The specific growth rate is a function of the ammonium concentration and the environmental conditions. Here, the inventors show that growth of nitrifying bacteria is inhibited when the soluble CO2 concentration is elevated beyond certain parameters. Elevated soluble CO2 concentration also reduces the pH, which also impacts the rate of growth of nitrifying bacteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Peter George Stroot, Raymond Anthony Morris
  • Patent number: 8535534
    Abstract: Fluorescence in situ hybridizations were used to identify and determine the abundance of nitrifying bacteria and Anammox bacteria (recycling bacteria) in freshly settled sludge of biological nutrient removal (BNR) secondary clarifiers. An uneven distribution was observed for recycling bacteria in two BNR systems. Settling patterns suggest microcolony formation processes are sensitive to the internal recycle rate, which allow for rapid recycling bacteria microcolony growth by increasing circulation of flocs through the aeration and anoxic basins. Sludge containing high levels of recycling bacteria are selectively collected and separated from the remaining sludge, uncoupling the solids retention time (SRT) of the recycling bacteria from the wasting bacteria. Elevated recycling bacteria SRTs increase concentrations of nitrifying bacteria in the aeration basin and Anammox bacteria in the anoxic basin, improving nitrification and anaerobic ammonium oxidation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventor: Peter G. Stroot
  • Publication number: 20130206686
    Abstract: This invention refers to a single household waste water treatment plant, based on the SBR principle that uses two tanks, one lung tank (1) and one SBR reactor (2), allowing the significant reduction of size, and in consequence, a low consumption of power, as well as the reduction of transportation volume when several units are transferred, wherein said lung tank (1) and said SBR reactor (2) consist of one truncated cone shape external tank and one internal tank, also with truncated cone shape, wherein the internal tank has lower diameters than the external tank, wherein bases of both tanks are concentric, upon which both tanks generate two volumes, an internal volume that corresponds to the SBR reactor (2), and one external volumetric ring, that will correspond to the lung tank (1); wherein the SBR reactor has in its aeration zone duct (7) supported on legs (12), wherein such duct (7) consists of a truncated cone shaped base (13), in which upper part protrudes a cylinder (14), that will extend to the minimum
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventor: Edmundo Ganter Parga
  • Patent number: 8506810
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus for low-emission storage of biodegradable materials by means of aeration, without aerobic conditions materializing in the material, permits a more consistent feed of the downstream stages in the process. Aeration inhibits methanogenesis and the risk potential of an explosive gas mixture forming in the storage vessel or in the components of the system exhausting waste gas. Closed loop control of the aeration adapts the rate of aeration to the biological activity in the stored material and minimizes air input so as to minimize the loss of methanogenesis potential by aerobic conversion of the matter whilst minimizing the energy required for aeration. The process is characterized in that controlling the aeration in the storage vessel inhibits relevant methanogenesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: BTA International GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Kuebler, Roland Carra, Margarita Nimmrichter
  • Publication number: 20130199997
    Abstract: A method of biologically treating wastewater and removing contaminants from the wastewater is disclosed. In the course of treating the wastewater, biomass is produced. In addition to removing contaminants from the wastewater, the process or method of the present invention entails enhancing the PHA accumulation potential of the biomass. Disclosed are a number of processes that are employed in a biological wastewater treatment system for enhancing PHA accumulation potential. For example, enhanced PHA accumulation potential is realized by exposing the biomass to feast and famine conditions and, after exposing the biomass to famine conditions, stimulating the biomass into a period of feast by exposing the biomass to feast conditions for a selected period of time by applying an average peak stimulating RBCOD feeding rate of greater than 5 mg-COD\L\MIN in combination with an average peak specific RBCOD feeding rate greater than 0.5 mg-COD\g-VSS\MIN.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: VEOLIA WATER SOLUTIONS & TECHNOLOGIES SUPPORT
    Inventors: Alan Gideon Werker, Simon Olof Harald Bengtsson, Elise Marie Blanchet, Maria das Dores Tavares Gurgo e Cirne, Carl Anton Börje Karlsson, Fernando Morgan-Sagastume
  • Publication number: 20130193067
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing anaerobic digestion of biomaterials using a clarifier, a batch reactor, and/or a digester are disclosed. The clarifier performs pretreatment processing of biomaterial to improve anaerobic digestion. The batch reactor and/or the digester are coupled to the clarifier and are configured to digest the processed biomaterial. A control system for an anaerobic digestion process includes a flow control system, a temperature control system, and a totalization system. The flow control system controls the flow of biomaterial and the delivery of chemical agents to the biomaterial based on conductivity, temperature, pressure, and/or composition of the biomaterial. The temperature control system includes a heat source and heat exchangers that control the temperature of the biomaterial.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: EPCOT CRENSHAW CORPORATION
    Inventor: Epcot Crenshaw Corporation
  • Patent number: 8470177
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: DVO Licensing, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen W. Dvorak
  • Publication number: 20130153492
    Abstract: The invention provides a system for treatment of wastewater. A pumping system pumps wastewater from a source basin to a recipient basin, while a conduit allows gravitational flow of water from a source basin to a recipient basin when the pumping system is inactive. A controller activates the pumping system to pump wastewater from the source basin to a recipient basin when a wastewater level in the source basin is at a first predetermined height or when a rate of gravitational flow wastewater from the source basin to the recipient basin is below a first predetermined flow rate. The controller also turns off the pumping system when the water level in the source basin is at a source basin minimal level and the water level in the recipient basin is at a recipient basin maximal level. The invention also provides a method for operating a wastewater treatment of the invention, and a pumping system for use in the system of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: TRIPLE T PURIFICATION LTD.
    Inventor: Gadi Amitai
  • Patent number: 8465645
    Abstract: A renewable energy microgeneration system is disclosed. The system comprises one or more portable containers that include a plurality of small holding tanks that are configured to perform at least one of pasteurization and thermophilic anaerobic digestion on waste, a large holding tank that is configured to perform mesophilic anaerobic digestion on the waste after at least one of pasteurization and thermophilic anaerobic digestion is performed, and a de-watering unit that is configured to dry what remains of the waste after mesophilic anaerobic digestion is performed. The system further comprises a controller for automatically moving the waste between the plurality of small holding tanks, the large holding tank, and the de-watering unit as required to facilitate mesophilic anaerobic digestion in the large holding tank. Further, the portable containers are configured to be transported to a site and placed in fluid communication with each other at the site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: SEaB Energy Holdings Ltd.
    Inventor: Nicolas W. Sassow
  • Publication number: 20130146534
    Abstract: A method and system for removing nitrogen from a downflow denitrification media filter which optimizes the bump timing increasing productivity. The method comprises measuring the influent and effluent nitrate concentrations and determining total nitrate-nitrogen accumulation. A bump of the filter is initiated based on a comparison of the total nitrate-nitrogen accumulation with a predetermined accumulated nitrate-nitrogen value. The method may utilize a processor, having a memory, which is capable of communicating with, receiving input from and sending output to, and controlling the filter and any in-line measurement tools. The method may include a bump timing factor to adjust the bump interval when the actual operating conditions are substantially different from the operating conditions that were present when the predetermined accumulated nitrate-nitrogen value was determined. A method for predicting the bump interval and determination of an estimated time until the next bump are also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: XYLEM WATER SOLUTIONS ZELIENOPLE LLC
    Inventors: Ivan X. Zhu, Eugene M. Vegso
  • Publication number: 20130146535
    Abstract: A method for monitoring and/or controlling the process flow of a waste water system having waste water in waste water lines, comprising the steps as follows: measuring volume flow of waste water at a location remote from a waste water cleaning plant; measuring at least one additional waste water relevant parameter at the location remote from the waste water cleaning plant; evaluating the measurement data and detecting system relevant events; and undertaking measures in the waste water cleaning plant and/or at the location remote from the waste water cleaning plant as a function of the system relevant event. Furthermore, the invention relates to a system for performing the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft fur Mess- und Regeltechnik mbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Endress + Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft fur Mess-und Regeltechnik mbH + Co. KG
  • Publication number: 20130140231
    Abstract: Method and system for treating wastewater includes treating sludge with ozone in a plug-flow type reactor to cause lysis of biosolids in the sludge. The ozonated sludge may be provided to an anaerobic or anoxic section of the wastewater treatment system to aid the denitrification processes occurring in the anaerobic or anoxic section of the wastewater treatment system or to other sections of the wastewater treatment system such as a fermenter, an aerobic digester, or an anaerobic digester.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventors: Richard A. Novak, Malcom E. Fabiyi
  • Patent number: 8425782
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for reducing the demand of wastewater volume flowing through a wastewater collection piping system thereby increasing the effective capacity of the system. A portion of the wastewater is diverted from a sewer main. The solids are separated from the liquid; for example, by a centrifugal separator such as a vortex or cyclone separator. The recovered liquid can be treated and made available for reuse or disposed of. The separated or concentrated solids are reintroduced into the sewer main dynamically in a portion that adjusts the wastewater loading, or alternatively, the solids loading, in the sewer main to a predetermined amount or predetermined range. The system can be adapted to reducing demand of wastewater volume flowing within a wastewater treatment plant by diverting the wastewater in the flow path between the wastewater plant inlet and the biological processing stage and reintroducing separated solids downstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Ecolivegreen Corp.
    Inventor: Paul L Culler
  • Patent number: 8414770
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing anaerobic digestion of biomaterials using a clarifier, a batch reactor, and/or a digester are disclosed. The clarifier performs pretreatment processing of biomaterial to improve anaerobic digestion. The batch reactor and/or the digester are coupled to the clarifier and are configured to digest the processed biomaterial. A control system for an anaerobic digestion process includes a flow control system, a temperature control system, and a totalization system. The flow control system controls the flow of biomaterial and the delivery of chemical agents to the biomaterial based on conductivity, temperature, pressure, and/or composition of the biomaterial. The temperature control system includes a heat source and heat exchangers that control the temperature of the biomaterial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Epcot Crenshaw Corporation
    Inventor: Charles Satish Smith
  • Patent number: 8388833
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system includes independent wastewater treatment facilities. Each of the facilities has a number of wastewater treatment subsystems. A wastewater collection subsystem holds wastewater to be treated. A pump subsystem moves wastewater from a wastewater collector to a filtration subsystem having a bioreacting filter. The filter has a sump and a fluidized-bed filter therein and supports the filter upright. The filter has an upwardly expanding, hollow, conical filter body with filter media. A monitoring subsystem measures wastewater process parameters. Control devices receive control commands and, dependent upon the command received, alter parameters of the wastewater treatment subsystems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Biofilter Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Mark B. Robertson, David O'Keefe, John D. Cox, Daniel T. White
  • Patent number: 8382983
    Abstract: A method for removing methane from biogas is described. The method includes: (i) receiving biogas including methane and other components into a first tank; (ii) receiving water into the first tank; (iii) contacting the biogas with the water inside the first tank; (iv) dispensing methane gas from an outlet of the first tank; and (v) producing from the tank an effluent stream that includes other components of the biogas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventor: Christopher Ott
  • Publication number: 20130020257
    Abstract: One or more embodiments of the present invention relate to a short cut or shortened method for the removal of nitrogen from wastewater by pairing an aerobic fixed-film biological reactor with an anoxic fixed-film biological reactor under unique operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: SEVERN TRENT WATER PURIFICATION, INC.
    Inventor: Donald McCarty
  • Publication number: 20130020256
    Abstract: The instant invention describes a method of treating wastewater generated from structures containing concentrated numbers of individuals prior to the wastewater entering a municipality's sewer system. The method involves delivering bacterial formulation to an area that has access to the main pipes responsible for delivering the structure's wastewater to the municipality's sewer system whereby such bacteria establish a biofilm which treats the wastewater generated by the occupants of the structure as the wastewater is transported to the city's main sewer system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: John Williams, Richard Schici, Bulbul Ahmed