Abstract: A rapid, convenient, and highly sensitive method and kit for counting the number of living microorganisms are disclosed. A test solution is filtrated through a membrane filter element having a plurarity of hydrophilic sections substantially perfectly separated from each other by hydrophobic partitions. A microparticulate spray is then applied to said filter in order to add extracting and luminescence-inducing reagents in such an amount that allows the filter membrane within each section to become wet. Thereafter the sample obtained is processed by applying a highly sensitive bioluminescence image analyzing system thereto. The employment of a spray method for applying the extracting and luminescence-inducing reagents allows to substantially perfectly entrap the reagents and extracted substances within each of the hydrophilic sections, thus enabling, when combined with the use of a bioluminescence image analyzing system, to rapidly count the number without any or substantial requirement of cultivation.

Abstract: A method for treating waste water which comprises passing the water through a series of steps including sequentially passing the water through an aeration step, and then a plurality of treatment cells wherein each treatment cell comprises a trickle filter cell. The waste water is subsequently subjected to a denitrification step and to a dephosphorization step. It is then passed through a trickle filter cell and optionally may be treated by passing through a cell wherein the waste water is in contact with peat moss.

Abstract: Described is a two-stage sewage treatment plant (10), in particular for domestic sewage, wherein the first biological purification stage (12) is dimensioned so that besides the carbon load, the mean nitrogen load is maximally degraded. Any peak loads that may appear are degraded in the second biological purification stage (13). This makes possible a space-saving construction and an economical operation. The second biological purification stage (13) is always a two-stage filtering installation with a filter stage (20) for nitrification and a filter stage (21) for denitrification. The first biological purification stage (12) can be an activated sludge stage as per A 131, a pure oxygen activated sludge or likewise a two-stage filtering installation.

Abstract: A method and system for the treatment of the livestock wastewater which comprises (a) biodegrading the said wastewater with hydrolytic, acidogenic and acetogenic bacteria culture, (b) biodegrading the supernatant from the primary treatment in contact with a biofilm with immobilized photosynthetic bacteria and (c) biodegrading the liquid from the secondary treatment with the activated sludge mixed with photosynthetic and symbiotic bacteria culture.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of aqueous effluent with a view to its purification, the process including at least one stage consisting of causing the water to pass into the interior of at least one battery of several biological filters with fixed cultures or other devices with fixed cultures operating in parallel, characterized in that it comprises supplying the filters at constant flow and to cause the number of filters supplied and the number of filters not supplied in the battery, to be varied, in accordance with the total flow of aqueous effluent to be treated. Such a process allows the performance of biofilters and other devices with fixed cultures to be improved.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and kits for the detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts. Such methods include the concentration of a water sample to form a retentate followed by resolution the retentate by density centrifugation. At least one layer is formed which retains the microbes to be detected. The presence of microbes within resolved layers is then detected.

Abstract: Tower packing blocks (10) for biological treatment particularly of waste water, comprising a bundle of tube sections (11) with net-like structured peripheral surfaces. The tube sections (11) are connected together at their end sides (20) by reflector welding. Thus there are formed at the end sides (20) of the tube sections (11) accumulations of material (21) which constrict the free internal cross-section of the tube sections (11). These constrictions render difficult the passage of water to be treated through the tower packing block (10). Thus the effectiveness of such known tower packing blocks (10) is reduced. According to the invention, the accumulations of material (21) at the end sides (20) of the tube sections (11) are of such dimensions, i.e. reduced in width, that they correspond to the cross-sections of the tube sections (11) outwith the accumulations of material (21), and thus the cross-sectional constrictions present in known tower packing blocks (10) are eliminated.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system: The system entails an aerobic tank and an anaerobic tank. Wastewater enters the aerobic tank where it is aerobically treated. The effluent then flows to the anaerobic tank where it is anaerobically treated to remove nitrogen in the wastewater. A filter may be added to the discharge line from the anaerobic tank to remove any suspended solids emitted with the effluent from the anaerobic tank.

Abstract: A method of isolating microorganisms and viruses, including phages, bacteriophages and cyanophages from an environment, particularly an aquatic environment, and propagating the isolated microorganisms or viruses for inoculum formulation. A specific target organism or selective growth medium is first immobilized in a stable substrate form such as sodium alginate gel pellets. The substrate containing the target organism or growth medium is then introduced into the environment to be sampled and microorganisms and/or viruses which are pathogenic to the immobilized target organism, or which can utilize the nutrient included in the growth medium, colonize the pellets. The colonizing microorganism or viral pathogens are removed from the gel pellets using standard laboratory techniques. One of the isolated pathogens, particularly an isolated viral pathogen, may be selected and propagated for inoculum formulation.

Abstract: In a process of remediating chemical contamination of a pond contaminated with one or more toxic heavy metals or aromatic compounds, the steps include: preparing a silage of grass clippings, placing the silage on the surface of a pond, and inoculating the pond with an alga and Bacillus cereus in sufficient quantities to cause a mixed algal and bacterial bloom to form on the pond surface and become annealed to the silage, leaving the silage with the annealed bloom on the surface of the pond for a sufficient amount of time to allow the bloom to withdraw at least some of the toxic heavy metal content or to degrade at least some of the aromatic compound content of the pond, and removing the silage with the annealed bloom from the pond.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for biological wastewater treatment which prevents flotation and deformation of mesh tubes packed in a reactor tank as microorganism retaining materials. Device for biological water treatment 10 of the present invention comprises reactor tank 11; microorganism retaining media 12, which are installed in the tank; and air diffuser tubes 14, and wastewater distributor tube 16, both of which are installed under the microorganism retaining media. The microorganism retaining media comprise supporting media 22 and mesh tubes 24, which are installed on the supporting media. The supporting media are constituted in a manner that at least two the beams 26 are arranged on each supporting tier in parallel at certain intervals and the direction of the arrangement of the beams is alternately shifted by an angle of 90 degrees at every supporting tier.

Abstract: A method for removing contaminants from a surface such as pavement using a portable closed-loop system which is transported to the location to be cleaned by a vehicle. The method includes storing a volume of fluid in a clean tank, pumping the fluid to a cleaning head, blasting the surface to be cleaned with the fluid, suctioning the contaminants from the surface, removing suspended and colloidal contaminants, removing hydrocarbons, and returning this fluid to the clean fluid tank for recirculation through the system.

Abstract: A wastewater treating apparatus has first, second and third bioreactors. Each bioreactor has, in an upper position, a reaction/sprinkling portion for exhaust gas treatment. The first bioreactor has, in a lower position, a submerged portion including an aerobic upper portion and an anaerobic lower portion. The aerobic upper portion includes a membrane filter. A membrane concentrated liquid produced by the membrane filter is introduced into a mixing tank. A mixture of an alcohol, fine powdered material and membrane concentrated liquid from the mixing tank is introduced, together with a developer-containing wastewater, into the anaerobic lower portion, so that a granular sludge is formed therein. The granular sludge contains anaerobic microorganisms in a high concentration level and is therefore capable of treating the wastewater without necessity of wastewater dilution or use of chemicals.

Abstract: A system and method of sewage treatment which comprises the sequential steps of:(i) subjecting waste water to be treated to a primary settling means to remove settleable solids and suspended solids and produce settled effluent;(ii) passing the settled effluent through a peat filter; and(iii) collecting the effluent from the peat filter and passing it through a sub-surface constructed wetland.

Abstract: According to the present invention, ceramics which are prepared by calcining a composition comprising raw ceramic materials and a microorganisms and/or culture fluid thereof, wherein the microorganisms is capable of producing an antioxidation material. The ceramic of the present invention possesses a variety of activities of, for instance, improving the soil, decomposing sewage or sludge, and deodorizing an unpleasant odor.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a sewage treatment system and method for treating sewage by microbes. The system includes and the method uses a settling tank with residual activated sludge and mixed liquor and an activated biofilm filter. Incoming sewage into the settling tank forms a settling tank liquor mixed liquor. Increments of the settling tank liquor mixed liquor are treated in the activated biofilm filter and returned to the settling tank where the treated mixed liquor improves the quality of the settling tank liquor mixed liquor in the settling tank. The process of treating and returning incremental quantities of the settling tank liquor mixed liquor continues over a Predetermined period of time after which the sewage is fully treated.

Abstract: An anaerobic digestion process capable of converting organic slurries to precipitates, as well as soluble and gaseous products through a series of reactors or process steps. The organic material is processed through three sequential steps consisting of two anaerobic digestion steps and an intermediate liquid/solid separation step. The sequential steps consist of first degrading rapidly metabolized soluble and particulate constituents, contained in the influent, by mixing the influent to the first reactor with an effluent from a second reactor containing a high concentration of active biomass. Effluent from the first reactor is treated in a second step wherein the soluble and particulate components are mechanically separated from an effluent stream essentially free of particulate material but containing soluble products of digestion.

Abstract: A multistage treatment system for treating nutrient-rich water containing nitrogen compounds, phosphorous compounds, and other minerals. Three or more vessels or stages typically constitute the multistage treatment system. Each stage of the system is a reaction vessel having a first zone containing a substantially insoluble salt for precipitating phosphorous compounds and other minerals, a second zone containing a microorganism retained on an inert substrate for converting nitrogen compounds, and a separation device for removing precipitates from the water. The effluent from the multistage system may be further treated in ponds cultivated with aquatic grass or in a packaged algae filter having a medium for supporting algae growth and an artificial light source.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for biological cleaning of a gas flow containing at least one contaminant by: i) placing the gas flow containing contamination in contact with liquid, wherein the contamination is absorbed by the liquid and is degraded by micro-organisms in contact with the liquid; and ii) controlling a control salt concentration in the liquid such that the fractional inhibition of the growth rate of the micro-organisms is greater than the fractional decrease in the degradation rate of the contamination, and to the use of a control salt in biological cleaning of such a gas flow.

Abstract: An improved anaerobic waste water treatment process comprising the steps of introducing waste water containing organic material into a first reaction zone containing thermophilic, fixed growth, hydrolytic and acidogenic bacteria and fermenting the waste water in the first reaction zone under anaerobic conditions at a pH of between about 5 and 6 and a temperature between about 115 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit to produce an acid effluent. The acid effluent is then conveyed to a second reaction zone containing thermophilic, fixed growth, methanogenic bacteria where it is fermented under anaerobic conditions at a pH between about 7.2 and 8.2 and at a temperature between about 115 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit to produce process effluent and gas including methane. The methane is collected and the process effluent is removed.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus for an aquarium comprising of mechanical, biological and chemical filter mechanisms for removing impurities from water and an intake tube/pre-filter arrangement for maintaining syphonability of the apparatus during both operating and non-operating states. In an another embodiment, a protein skimmer is combined with the other filter mechanisms.

Abstract: A rapid, convenient, and highly sensitive method for counting the number of living microorganisms is disclosed, wherein a test solution is filtered through a membrane filter element having a plurarity of hydrophilic sections separated from each other by hydrophobic partitions. A microparticulate spray is then applied to the filter in order to add extracting and luminescence-inducing reagents in such an amount that allows the filter membrane within each section to become wet. Further, the sample obtained is processed by applying a highly sensitive luminescence image analyzing system thereto. The employment of a spray method for applying the extracting and luminescence-inducing reagents allows entrapment of the reagents and extracted substances within each of the hydrophilic sections. Therefore, when combined with the use of a luminescence image analyzing system, the number of bright spots so produced of which represent the living microorganisms may be rapidly counted without the requirement of cultivation.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for increasing the rate of aerobic digestion of an organic waste. The apparatus is particularly suited for use with commercial or residential septic tanks. In general, the apparatus includes a medium with high surface area to volume ratio, a portion of which extends above the liquid level of waste in the tank. Aerated waste is frothed upward above the medium and cascades down over the exposed medium thereby enhancing aeration and subsequent reduction of biological oxygen demand concentrations. In certain embodiments the apparatus includes a surrounding clarifier to remove floating scum. The concentration of biological oxygen demand in the effluent from a septic tank may be reduced from about 230 mg/l to less than about 40 mg/l, and the total suspended solids concentration can be reduced from 75-150 mg/l to about 10 mg/l by using the apparatus and method of the invention.

Abstract: A method of creating an environment which promotes degradation of nitroaromatic organic chemical contaminants in water, sediment, or soil by adding a combination of fibrous organic matter and certain multi-valent metal particles to the water, sediment or soil.

Abstract: The method is of the type wherein the raw or untreated water to be treated is made to circulate in cells or biofilters with submerged filtering beds working anaerobically and then aerobically or vice versa. A treatment module is used comprising at least two cells or biofilters in series (for example one biofilter under anaerobic conditions and one to five biofilters under aerobic conditions) in making phases of anaerobiosis and then aerobiosis alternate cyclically. The entry of flow to be treated takes place always in the anaerobic cell. Advantageously, each phase of the cycle is separated from another by a hold phase comprising a halt in the supply of water to be treated.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for growing cell cultures consisting of a plurality of layers includes a chamber for submerging cells in a medium while supporting and binding them to a semi-permeable membrane. A stirrer is positioned within the chamber and continuously stirs the medium to constantly circulate it past the exposed surface of a semi-permeable membrane on one side of the cell culture and along the exposed surface of the cell culture growing on the membrane and remote from the membrane to transfer nutrients to both surfaces of the cell either directly or through the membrane without disrupting the cell culture on the membrane.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment plant for removal of organic matter, suspended solids and other pollutants comprising a pre-treatment chamber, a biofilm-aeration chamber and a settling chamber. Biofilm grows on biofilm support structure which is stationary and submerged in the mixed liquor of the biofilm aeration chamber. The combination of submerged or surface aeration and suspended solids particle size reduction occurs thereby creating a sufficient fluid flow within the biofilm aeration chamber. This combination of sufficient fluid flow, and reduced size suspended organic particles results in the efficient digestion of organic matter and pollutants by the biofilm growing on the biofilm support structure submerged in the biofilm aeration chamber. This results in a vastly more effective digestive process than conventional processes producing no sludge. Further, resulting treated effluent has a high dissolved oxygen content and low BOD and SS.

Abstract: An integrated synchronous aerobic/anaerobic bioreactor is disclosed for treating waste liquids, such as pulp and paper waste water, and to methods of treating such waste liquid. The apparatus includes a bioreactor and an external aerator for injecting a controlled amount of an oxygen-containing gas into the waste liquid as it is cycled through the apparatus. An aerobic/anaerobic biofilm is provided in the reactor, having a decreasing gradient of oxygen concentration toward its core.

Abstract: A solid support for immobilization of microorganism cells is made of a synthetic polymer such as a polyolefin, in admixture with an organic polymeric plant material such as corn fibers, oat hulls, starch, and cellulose. Preferably, the synthetic polymer is in an amount of about 50-95% wt-% and the plant material is in an amount of about 5-50 wt-%. Preferred polyolefins are polyethylene and polypropylene. The plant material may be a mixture including a plant material that functions as a nutrient to enhance growth of the microorganism on the support. The support may be produced by combining the synthetic polymer and plant material to form a composite, dough-like thermoplastic composition. The composition may be prepared in an extrusion mixer and co-extruded as an extrudate to form a shaped article.

Abstract: An immobilized cell bioreactor is disclosed wherein the cells are harbored within or upon an immobilization matrix including cell support sheets comprised of common textile fabric. The cell support sheets are oriented in a vertical parallel layered array with a gas phase substantially surrounding each sheet. The vertical orientation allows nutrient culture supply and product recovery to be assisted by gravity. The vertical orientation also allows the sheets to extend into unused vertical space, producing a space-efficient bioreactor, and it also allows a series of bioreactors to be closely and efficiently organized within the laboratory space.

Abstract: A three-dimensional non-woven fabric having at least one junction portion in the internal portion thereof may be obtained by forming, and maintaining a distance between, linear junction portions in a piece of starting non-woven fabric or in a laminate of a plurality of layers of starting non-woven fabric, followed by cutting the formed non-woven fabric at a position or along a line between one linear junction portion and another linear junction portion; or by forming dot-like junction portions in a piece of a starting non-woven fabric or in a laminate of a plurality of layers of a starting non-woven fabric, followed by cutting the formed non-woven fabric into a desired shape so as to include the dot-like junction portion. The three-dimensional non-woven fabric has a large strength, excellent shape stability, large surface area, thereby being advantageously utilizable as a carrier for fixing or immobilizing microorganisms or in various other applications.

Abstract: A biologically active support for removing pollutants from a fluid stream such as waste water is prepared. The support is formed of a polymeric foam substrate coated with a composition containing a particulate adsorbent which adsorbs, then releases pollutants, and a polymeric binder that binds the adsorbent to the surface of the substrate. The binder contains a suspension aid, and one or more pollutant-degrading microorganisms are adhered to the surface of the coated support. The binder preferably has a T.sub.g of lower than or equal to about 250.degree. C. and may be a latex. Examples of suspension aids are surfactants and polyanionic polypeptides such as ammonium caseinate. The adsorbent is preferably a carbon material such as coal, charcoal, carbon black and activated carbon. Other adsorbents are silica gel, active clays, zeolites, hydrophobic and ion exchange resins, and molecular sieves.

Abstract: An apparatus for biologically treating lipid-containing waste water comprising a waste water introducer, a biological treatment constituted by a carrier holding a fixed lipid-assimilating, and a discharge for discharging the treated waste water. The carrier has a shape of string, lace, mat, sheet, fiber, sponge or film which facilitates the lipid-assimilating yeast to cling thereto. The apparatus may also be provided with backwashing for the biological treatment carrier, and an aerator for aerating the waste water. It is possible to directly treat lipid-containing waste water without producing any harmful matter and to efficiently reduce the concentration of the lipid (n-hexane extract) to not more than 30 mg/1. Furthermore, the maintenance of the apparatus is easy.

Abstract: In a solid material flow-separating method for separating fine solid material from fluid, plural massive, net-shaped or pipe-shaped flow-separating members each having opening portions of about 1 to 5 cm in equivalent diameter are disposed along a fluid flowing direction in a treatment tank, and the fine solid material floating in the fluid is trapped and collected through the opening portions, and help up in a predetermined area, thereby separating the fine solid material from the fluid.

Abstract: A treating system comprising a horizontal zigzag flow or vertical zigzag flow treating tank having a plurality of chambers constituted by horizontally or vertically dividing the inside of the tank by partitions and connected to one another in a horizontal or vertical zigzag fashion and having filter media installed in each chamber in a standing or lying position, or a treating system having independent chambers connected with one another where treating substances flow in an alternate fashion of downward and upward flows and is discharged from the last chamber and having filter media installed in each chamber in a standing position, said filter medium comprising a core element and a number of thin tapes of synthetic resin extending radially around the core element.The treating efficiency of the system may be increased by connecting an automatic gas-lift stirring device which performs stirring of the contents of the treating tank using methane gas generating in the treating tank.

Abstract: The present invention features methods and apparatus for biodegrading pollutants carried by aqueous fluid. The method and apparatus use a vessel and a matrix for immobilizing microorganisms and an inlet and outlet opening for creating a horizontal flow of fluid and air through the matrix. Microorganisms immobilized on the matrix biodegrade pollutants.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of biodegradable waste products. The influent is aerated and directed through a fixed media assembly to promote intimate surface contact and cause microbial growth. The fixed media assembly comprises a stack of spaced apart, parallel, substantially vertical corrugated sheets. The corrugations are defined by obliquely inclined peaks and valleys and are oriented so that the corrugations of immediately adjacent sheets intermate with one another so as to define an inclined sluffing channel at each corrugation to provide a substantially unobstructed pathway therethrough while inducing turbulence and mixing.

Abstract: A method of improving the quality of septic tank effluent is disclosed. Sewage wastewater having a significant concentration of waste solids is flowed to a septic tank. In the septic tank the solids are allowed to separate from the wastewater to form a relatively clear horizontal liquid layer between sludge and scum layers. At least a portion of the liquid layer is flowed from a recirculation outlet through an aerobic filter to produce a filter effluent. The filter effluent is flowed to the septic tank. A septic tank effluent is discharged from a septic tank discharge outlet which is spaced apart from the inlet and which is in fluid communication with the liquid. The septic tank effluent has reduced levels of total nitrogen, BOD and total suspended solids.

Abstract: A process for the anaerobic digestion of organic carbonaceous material is disclosed. The process includes the steps of (a) hydrolyzing organic carbonaceous material to produce a digester stream including hydrolysis products; (b) subjecting the digester stream to a first methanation phase operating at thermophilic conditions to produce a gaseous product including methane; and (c) subjecting the digester stream to a second methanation phase operating at mesophilic conditions to produce further gaseous product including methane, and to recover heat. An apparatus for the anaerobic digestion of organic carbonaceous material is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for biological treatment of water in which a water containing organic matter (e.g. waste water, recovered water, or untreated water in water treatment works) is biologically treated to decompose and remove the organic matter, which apparatus comprises a formed material comprising a felt-like activated carbon fiber cloth, accomodated in the treatment vessel as a packing medium, which has a ratio of surface area (cm.sup.2) of felt-like activated carbon fiber cloth to effective volume (cm.sup.3) of the treatment vessel, of 0.5-50 cm.sup.2 /cm.sup.3, and which is arranged so that the cloth surface is vertical and the cloth-to-cloth distance is 0.5-2.0 cm, thereby shortening the rise time from operation start to stable operation, and efficiently operating over a long period of time.

Abstract: A bioremediation support for the support of microorganisms used in the biotreatment of an aqueous waste stream or contaminated vapor is made of a low-density siliceous glassy material. This material has a cellular or frothy texture, large pores of greater than 1,000 Anstrom units in diameter dispersed throughout the material, a high macropore volume in pores of greater than 1,000 .ANG. of more than 0.3 cc/cc and a BET surface area of greater than 10 m.sup.2 /g. A preferred material is pumice.

Abstract: A floating water purification device comprising at least a treatment tank enclosing a certain water area and a float which causes the tank to float in water, is characterized by the treatment tank having a plurality of inner biological supports together with at least one water inlet and one water outlet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel apparatus for enhancing the nitrification of wastewater, and a method of its use. The present apparatus comprises the addition of a plurality of submerged, fixed support means to an activated sludge system. These support means act as supports for autotrophic nitrification bacteria and are disposed in the activated sludge system so that the wastewater is substantially free of carbonaceous waste by the time it reaches the support media. A circulation system is used to bring the wastewater into contact with the support media so that nitrification can occur.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of water or other liquid has a plurality of stationary surfaces on which microorganisms or like biologically active materials are fixed or grown which are contacted alternately with air and the liquid undergoing treatment by raising and lowering the liquid. This leads to purification by biological oxidation and other processes. Apparatus for performing the process comprises a tank containing arrays of plates and a wave generator for generating a wave action of liquid in the tank by means of which the alternate raising and lowering of the liquid is achieved. Beneficially the wavelength of the wave motion is arranged such that the tank length is 1/2, 1 or n times the wavelength where 2.times.n is an integer.

Abstract: A biological process is described for caustic waste streams containing inorganic sulfides to effect neutralization of the caustic and, oxidation of sulfides to sulfate. The process is based on the contact of these caustic streams with mixed, fiocculated cultures of a sulfide-oxidizing bacterium from the genus Thiobacillus and various heterotrophs. The process may also degrade any organic components present in the waste stream.

Abstract: A method of animal waste treatment which provides the introduction of a solid material in the animal waste, having the following characteristics; a solid geometric shape, a solid which floats in the animal waste, a solid which is biodegradable, a solid which includes at least resins with formaldehyde and ferrous sulfate.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for controlling the positioning of substrates for supporting bacteria in a waste treatment container use an aerator manifold which supplies bubbles of gas to the container from adjacent the bottom of the container. A hollow open mesh tube forms the substrate and is extended under the manifold to define a leg extending upwardly from each side of the manifold. A buoyant array piece is secured to each such end and urges the tube upwardly toward the upper surface of the waste. The bubbles establish a rolling upward flow of the waste in the container between the legs of the tube, which urges the buoyant array pieces apart both during the treatment operation and during draining of the container. Such urging during draining urges the buoyant array pieces away from the manifold, which pieces carry the ends of the tube away from the manifold as they become located lower in the basin. Such urging avoids tangling of the tubes with the manifold and facilitates more efficient cleaning of the manifold.

Abstract: A biochemical drip board for aquariums formed of a flat board having a plurality of short posts extending down from the bottom, and at least a hanger at one end, each said short post having a very small center through hole to function as a capillary to slow down speed of water flowing therethrough and to cultivate active nitrate bacteria therein for disintegrating organic matters in water into nitrogen and ammonia and consequently preventing water from worsening.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (1) for the control of biological treatment of waste water in which waste water is fed to a substantially air tight supported growth biological filter unit (2) that includes an exhaust gas vent (5). Dissolved oxygen is supplied to the filter unit and the oxygen consumption rate across the filter is measured by comparing the flow rate of oxygen into the filter (2) to the flow rate of oxygen exiting the filter through the gas vent (5). The feed rate of waste water is adjusted to maintain a predetermined oxygen consumption, thereby controlling the effluent quality.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a novel method of removing emulsified oils, dissolved solids and particulates from a water containing liquid wastestream comprising chemically treating the wastestream with an acid, a coagulant, and a flocculant and subsequently flowing such treated wastestream upwardly through a vertical plate pack chamber.