Abstract: A method for controlling the motor of an air handling system to provide a desired output of flowing air therefrom while minimizing the power used by the motor, including operationally connecting a switched reluctance electric motor to a blower, operationally connecting an electronic controller to the switched reluctance electric motor, operationally connecting at least one sensor to the electronic controller, measuring at least one environmental parameter with the at least one sensor, inputting the desired air flow into the electronic controller, calculating the minimum motor speed necessary to provide the desired air flow, and sending a control signal from the electronic controller to the motor to control the motor to the minimum motor speed necessary to provide the desired air flow.

Abstract: An organic waste processing system and method for producing a slurry for the production of bio-gas, transportation fuels and chemical products, and a residual sad.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically controlling aeration and mixing processes are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating an activated sludge plant having a plurality of tandem aeration zones, each receiving mixed liquor from an upstream zone or an upstream source and discharging a mixed liquor to a downstream zone or a downstream process includes a control which determines a parameter at a downstream one of the zones. The parameter is representative of a concentration of ammonia in the mixed liquor in the downstream one of the zones and may be used to control at least one upstream zone. A value of airflow to one of the zones may be determined and used to determine a demand for dissolved oxygen in the mixed liquor in that zone as a function of airflow to that zone. An elevated level of demand may be used to indicate a dump of commercial waste having a high BOD demand. A depressed level of demand may be used to indicate the presence of chemicals that inhibit bacterial respiration.

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.

Abstract: A nitrification carrier having made nitrifying bacteria dominant therein and a denitrification carrier having made anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria dominant therein are mixed in a treatment tank. Both of a nitrification reaction with the nitrification carrier and a denitrification reaction with denitrification carrier are allowed to proceed in the treatment tank to decompose ammonium nitrogen in wastewater to nitrogen gas. The ratio of the bacterial loads of the nitrifying bacteria and the anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria can be easily controlled by immobilizing the nitrifying bacteria and the anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria on different carriers from each other (nitrification carrier and denitrification carrier) and by controlling the volume ratio (ratio of the feeding amounts) of the nitrification carrier and the denitrification carrier.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating water laden with nitrogen in the form of ammonium by means of nitritation-denitritation, wherein said method includes at least: a first step (i) of supplying at least one sequential biological reactor (10) with said water; an aerated nitration step (ii); an anoxia denitritation step (iii); and a step (iv) of extracting treated water from said reactor. According to the invention, the method also includes the in-line measurement of the nitrite concentration of said water in said reactor, and at least one monitoring step of at least one step of the method, said monitoring step taking into account the results from said in-line measurement of the nitrite concentration.

Abstract: Formation of scale in a wastewater treatment system upstream of a struvite precipitation reactor is inhibited by injection of CO2. The injection may be performed at multiple locations. Injection may be controlled based on one or more of pH, fluid flow and fluid pressure. Injected CO2 may be stripped at the precipitation reactor to enhance struvite production. Scale may be inhibited while maintaining production of precipitated struvite.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the treatment of lipid-extracted algae biomass and recycling nutrients are provided. The lipid-extracted algae biomass is hydrolyzed prior to anaerobic digestion, and the products generated by anaerobic digestion are further processed to yield by-products that are of use either for external use or as process inputs to carry out specific steps within an integrated algal growth and anaerobic digestion process designed to minimize economic costs, required costly inputs while improving upon system capabilities.

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

Abstract: A method of biologically treating wastewater with an integrated fixed film activated sludge process. The integrated fixed film activated sludge process includes biomass suspended in mixed liquor and biomass disposed on carriers. Under certain conditions the dissolved oxygen concentration in a reactor that includes the mixed liquor, biomass suspended in the mixed liquor, and the biomass on the carriers, biological treatment is performed primarily by the biomass in the mixed liquor. This is achieved by controlling or maintaining the dissolved oxygen concentration in the reactor at a relatively low concentration. When the biomass suspended in the mixed liquor is unable to adequately biologically treat the mixed liquor, the dissolved oxygen concentration in the reactor is controlled or maintained at a relatively high concentration. This enables biomass on the carriers to contribute more to the biological treatment of the mixed liquor than when the dissolved oxygen concentration was maintained relatively low.

Abstract: A compact biological treatment assembly, apparatus and methods are disclosed, the apparatus including a movable belt biological contactor having selected microbial cultures established thereon. The apparatus further includes a tank having a volume for receipt of wastewater to be treated, first and second drums positioned at the tank each connected to an end of the belt contactor, and a motor or motors together with a controller for rotating the drums cooperatively to move the belt contactor between the drums thereby coiling and uncoiling the belt contactor on the drums.

Abstract: A process for optimizing the carbon feed in a denitrification filter. The process utilizes in-line or off-line measurements of process variables in combination with feed forward and feedback control and increases or decreases the amount of carbon added based on a calculated reset rate determined on a periodic basis. The calculated reset rate may be a percentage of a theoretical value of the necessary carbon feed rate needed to remove the desired amount of nitrate-nitrogen. When the effluent nitrate-nitrogen is at a desired level and no rate change is necessary, the carbon feed rate is set to an average of one or more of the last filter runs. The process may also include a step wherein the carbon addition is increased immediately after backwashing to reestablish the biomass needed to produce the desired effluent in a step to regain process efficiency once that boost reestablishes the biomass.

Abstract: A modularizable system for residential water treatment having a low energy requirement to process water for reuse at the residence which results in a reduction in the amount of fossil fuels required to power large water processing stations and transfer water from water plants to individual residences is disclosed. The system increases availability of water at the residential level in areas where water is a limited or limiting resource (e.g., in arid climates). Furthermore, the amount of water a residence uses in a given cycle is more efficient.

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: An apparatus for removing organics from water has an upwardly open and downwardly closed column having a tubular side wall and a floor and a generally closed chamber on the floor of the column and forming with the side wall an upwardly open annular space. The column has an outlet opening into the annular space. A pump forces water containing organics into the chamber and thereby fills the column with water that then flows out of the column through the outlet. An aerator pump moves at least some of the water containing organics out of the chamber, mixes the pumped-out water with bubbles, and pumps the water and bubbles back into a downwardly and horizontally closed but upwardly open flow space in the column above the chamber. A skimmer clears the organics from the surface of the water above the flow space.

Abstract: In order to provide a means that can process organic wastewater via a membrane-separation activated sludge process that is stable over a long period of time, by reducing the quantity of biological polymers that can cause permeability problems, an additive is provided that is added to the activated sludge when treating organic wastewater via a membrane-separation activated sludge process. Said additive contains microorganisms that decompose polysaccharides.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically controlling aeration and mixing processes are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of treating a wastewater, containing the steps of: filtering a wastewater supplied into an activated sludge tank and biologically-treated therein, in a membrane module installed outside the activated sludge tank; chemical-cleaning the membrane module with a membrane-cleaning agent while the membrane module is disconnected from the activated sludge tank with a valve; and water-flushing off the substances contained in the wastewater that react with the membrane-cleaning agent and form hazardous substances and/or operation-inhibiting substances, or the membrane-cleaning agent remaining in the membrane module with water while the membrane module and the activated sludge tank are disconnected from each other by the valve, wherein the membrane-cleaning agent is prevented from contacting the substances contained in the wastewater that react with the membrane-cleaning agent and form hazardous substances and/or operation-inhibiting substances.

Abstract: A process for removing phosphorus from wastewater wherein an iron or aluminum salt is added to the wastewater. The iron or aluminum salt results in the precipitation of certain iron or aluminum species that include phosphorus adsorption sites. These iron or phosphorus species are settled and become a part of sludge produced in the course of the wastewater treatment process. By recycling substantial portions of the sludge, the concentration of these iron or aluminum species in the wastewater is increased. This increased concentration results in the presence of large quantities of unused phosphorus adsorption sites that attract and adsorb phosphorus, resulting in phosphorus being removed from the wastewater.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biological treatment method of biologically treating the subject water containing phenol, thiocyanate and the like, which improves the quality of treated water, while suppressing a reduction in treatment efficiency. As a means for achieving the aforementioned object, the present invention relates to a biological treatment method including introducing subject water containing a COD component, wherein the COD component is at least one of phenol and thiocyanate, into a biological treatment tank containing sludge containing bacteria capable of decomposing the COD component to thereby biologically treat the COD component with the bacteria, wherein, before the introduction of the subject water into the biological treatment tank, a step of counting the total number of bacteria contained in the sludge is carried out, so that the amount of the COD component loaded on a single bacterium per unit time can be controlled within a predetermined range.

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

Abstract: A method of biologically treating water and more particularly, a process for nitrifying and denitrifying water includes employing a continuous aeration mode and a sequential aeration mode. In the continuous aeration mode, nitrification and denitrification reactions occur simultaneously in the water. The continuous aeration mode occurs when the nitrate concentration of the water reaches a predetermined low threshold. The sequential aeration mode occurs when the nitrate concentration reaches a predetermined high threshold. When in the sequential aeration mode, aeration is ceased when the ammoniac concentration reaches a predetermined low threshold and aeration is activated when the ammoniac concentration reaches a predetermined high threshold.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method that allows solid-liquid separation of activated sludge and a treated liquid to be carried out stably and efficiently by suitably evaluating the risk of clogging prior to membrane clogging and adopting necessary and adequate countermeasures. The present invention provides a wastewater treatment method employing a membrane separation activated sludge process, by which the upper limit of BOD-sludge load is determined based on an index indicating the total organic content of the organic wastewater and a BOD value, and the BOD-sludge load in the activated sludge tank is adjusted so as not to exceed the upper limit.

Abstract: A microbial desalination cell includes an anode, a cathode, a saline solution chamber and a cathode rinsing assembly. The anode is at least partially positioned within an anode chamber for containing an aqueous reaction mixture including one or more organic compounds and one or more bacteria for oxidizing the organic compounds. The cathode is directly exposed to air. The saline solution chamber is positioned between the anode and the cathode, and is separated from the anode by an anion exchange material and from the cathode by a cation exchange material. The cathode rinsing assembly is for rinsing the cathode with a catholyte.

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

Abstract: 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.

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: Methods and systems for processing organic waste material are provided. These methods and systems include integrating an anaerobic bio-digester and nutrient recovery module with a bio-production facility, which can locally provide feedstock for the bio-production facility, and can locally provide organic material for the anaerobic bio-digester. Methods and systems for integrating an anaerobic bio-digester with a gas cleaner are also provided, which can recover nutrients while cleaning the biogas produced by the anaerobic bio-digester.

Abstract: Aqueous liquid having an oxygen demand flows into a treatment vessel where it is treated by suspended aerobic bacterial solids in the presence of dissolved oxygen. A pressurised flow of the treated liquid passes to a clarifying membrane separator effective to separate the flow into a discharge stream of clear liquid and a pressurised recycle stream concentrated in the aerobic bacterial solids. A first oxic gas is employed to scour the membranes and is conveyed away from the membrane separator in the pressurised recycle stream. The pressurised recycle stream is returned to under the surface of the liquid in the treatment vessel. A second oxic gas is introduced either into the pressurised recycle stream or into a further pressurised stream of aqueous liquid flowing into the same volume. The rate of introduction of the oxic gases is controlled with reference to the pH and dissolved oxygen concentration of the liquid in the vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the biological treatment of an effluent to be treated and containing at least two forms of pollution, one of which is more easily biodegradable than the other, which comprises using a main biological treatment area in which the raw effluent is contacted with biological sludge adapted for consuming a first form of pollution that can be more easily degraded than a second form of pollution, wherein said method is characterised in that comprises collecting a fraction at least of the biological sludge which is isolated at a distance from the main biological treatment area in a so-called bioactivation area and under aeration and time conditions adapted for triggering in said fraction the development of new biological functions capable of consuming the second form of pollution, and further recycling at least a portion of said biological sludge fraction towards the main biological treatment area.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for treating an aqueous nitrogeneous liquor by performing ammonia oxidation and denitrification using a biosludge containing anammox bacteria and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria. The process and apparatus can obtain treated liquor of a high water quality at a high treating efficiency and a high yield of ammonium nitrogen removal with easy control of supply rate of oxygen-containing gas.

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

Abstract: A portable water recycling and treatment system and process for used and produced flowback frac water pumps the water from a collection tank through a series of dedicated hydration, retention and filtering tanks and vessels that provide treatment for the removal of chemicals, sediments and other containments. The system, which is enclosed, can be readily assembled on-site by interconnecting the dedicated tanks, vessels and pumps. The tanks and vessels may be situated in a plurality of trailers/units that are transported separately to the site.

Abstract: A sewage treatment control device, a method and a sewage treatment system, are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for wastewater treatment comprising a first treatment zone (11) fluidly connected to one or more further treatment zones (12, 13, 14), a membrane module (16) comprising a filter membrane positioned in or fluidly connected to the further treatment zone (14), a gravity settling device (15) fluidly connected to the first treatment zone (11) to receive overflow therefrom; and a flow control device (23) between the first treatment zone (11) and the gravity settling device (15) to control the flow of liquid therebetween.

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

Abstract: 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 with low yield organisms, to provide biological nutrients or oxygenation assistance, to improve nitrification/denitrification efficiency, or to disfavor filamentous biology such as Norcardia sp.

Abstract: A method for forming a facultative-organism-adapted membrane bioreactor by: providing a membrane bioreactor having a membrane module, aerating intensively the membrane module at a lower part thereof and maintaining the scouring against the membrane module so that an aerobic environment is formed at a middle and lower part of the membrane module, and controlling aeration intensity so that a facultative or anaerobic environment is formed around the membrane module excluding the middle and lower part thereof. The a facultative-organism-adapted membrane bioreactorformed by the method has low energy consumption, low sludge yield coefficient, and high efficiency of nitrogen and phosphorus removal.

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.

Abstract: A method of wastewater treatment is described. The method includes: (i) receiving wastewater produced after anaerobic digestion; (ii) performing a first type of treatment on wastewater to produce wastewater having a first property which is capable of changing; (iii) preventing the first property from changing; (iv) performing a second type of treatment on wastewater; and wherein the first property includes at least one property selected from a group consisting of biochemical oxygen demand (“BOD”) level, dissolved oxygen level, solid content and nutrient level.

Abstract: The disclosed process and system are used for the denitrification of wastewater. The system comprises: an influent concentration analyzer for measuring an influent dissolved oxygen concentration, an influent nitrate concentration, and an influent nitrite concentration; and a feed chemical controller for providing a feed chemical at a controlled rate.

Abstract: The invention concerns a filter whereof the reactor comprises: in its bottom part, an inlet for the effluents to be filtered and an outlet of oxygenated gas; in its upper part, an outlet for the filtered effluents; filtering means including media layers and an attached biomass, of density lower than that of the effluents to be filtered and interposed between the inlet and the outlet. The reactor is subdivided by means of racks retaining the filtering means into at least two filtering stages and into an upper outlet stage, wherein emerges the outlet for the filtered effluents. Each filtering stage is provided with a layer and its own filtering means and comprises, in its bottom part, a withdrawing outlet for excess biomass.

Abstract: A nitrification carrier having made nitrifying bacteria dominant therein and a denitrification carrier having made anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria dominant therein are mixed in a treatment tank. Both of a nitrification reaction with the nitrification carrier and a denitrification reaction with denitrification carrier are allowed to proceed in the treatment tank to decompose ammonium nitrogen in wastewater to nitrogen gas. The ratio of the bacterial loads of the nitrifying bacteria and the anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria can be easily controlled by immobilizing the nitrifying bacteria and the anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria on different carriers from each other (nitrification carrier and denitrification carrier) and by controlling the volume ratio (ratio of the feeding amounts) of the nitrification carrier and the denitrification carrier.

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: A method of suspending bio-solids in an activated sludge during wastewater treatment in an activated sludge system is provided. In one example embodiment, the method may include treating the activated sludge under anaerobic conditions and flowing the activated sludge through an open channel into a separation vessel. The bio-solids are suspended in the activated sludge by either intermittent agitation comprising an agitation interval and a rest interval or by upright flow of an influent and/or activated sludge. Diffusion of gas, mechanical devices, flow of an influent, and flow of the activated sludge can be utilized to agitate the bio-solids.

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

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an improved system and method for treating wastewater or other liquid. Furthermore, the present disclosure provides a control program for operating the system and method. In one embodiment, the treatment process utilizes a biological nutrient removal activated sludge process utilizing a continuously sequencing reactor (CSR).

Abstract: A method for in-situ reduction of contaminants in soil that uses chemical oxidation and biodegradation.

Abstract: A system for saturating a liquid with a gas followed by bubble-less delivery and mixing of the gas-saturated liquid into a gas-unsaturated liquid wherein a biological process is occurring. The system comprises a gas-saturation unit which controllably communicates with a bioreactor unit containing a gas-unsaturated liquid wherein a biological process is occurring. The gas saturation unit comprises a sealable pressure-resistant vessel for receiving therein an unsaturated liquid and wherein the liquid is saturated with a gas under pressure. The rate of introduction of gas-saturated liquid into the bioreactor unit is controllable to make it equivalent to the rate of gas consumption by the biological process occurring in gas-unsaturated liquid contained within the bioreactor unit. The invention is particularly useful for bubble-less gas delivery to open and closed bioreactor configurations for wastewater treatment processes.