Abstract: A process and apparatus for the treatment of septage, particularly grease trap waste, is disclosed. The inventive process will convert the septage into Biosolids (sludge) and water dischargeable to the environment. The treated septage achieves pathogen reduction, and reduced vector attraction. Treatment of septage by pasteurization causes the destruction of harmful pathogens. Pasteurization of septage having high water content provides for even temperature elevation and distribution of heat within the thermal mass of the septage allowing for consistent pathogen destruction. An alkaline compound is utilized to form a filter cake from the solids fraction of the pasteurized septage preventing vector attraction, while producing a beneficial bio-solid. The liquid fraction of the septage is treated by biological process allowing for its discharge into the environment.

Abstract: The invention relates to aquarium filters providing improved water filtration without accelerated clogging. The present invention also relates to methods of using such filters.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing the content of ammonia in water provides a submerged surface having a growth of nitrifying bacteria thereon. An aeration system creates air bubbles that travel along the surface as they rise to create aerobic conditions on the surface, and to circulate the water along the surface to allow the nitrifying bacteria to remove ammonia from the water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated closed loop system for aquaculture in at least one culturing tank and using continuous bioreactor technology for the biological treatment and removal of organic material, nitrogen and phosphorous, comprising: an integrated, partially or wholly closed loop system for waste water treatment, where the water contains nitrogen containing compounds and/or substances, comprising at least one production unit of such nitrogen containing compounds and/or substances and using continuous bioreactor technology for the biological treatment and removal of organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorous from the said water at continuous flow, comprising: a) at least one suspended carrier bioreactor for bacterial growth under anoxic conditions to cause anaerobic denitrification, with one or several compartments, preceding b) at least one suspended-carrier bioreactor for bacterial growth under oxic conditions to cause aerobic nitrification, c) the denitrification taking place after the p

Abstract: The process and apparatus of the present invention provides an anoxic pretreatment tank, a granular fixed film denitrification reactor and a membrane bioreactor. Raw waste flows into the anoxic pretreatment tank, through a denitrification filter and then to a membrane bioreactor for nitrification and micro filtering. Contents of the membrane bioreactor are periodically recycled to the anoxic tank and the denitrification filter for BOD reduction, denitrification and coarse filtration.

Abstract: Method of waste water/water treatment in a submerged membrane bioreactor is disclosed. The bioreactor includes a tank containing a mixed liquor having microorganism; porous carriers in the mixed liquors; and a filtration module immersed in the mixed liquor and having a permeate side into which fluid can flow only through the filtration module. The method includes introducing an influent into the tank; applying a negative pressure source to the permeate side so that liquid in the tank penetrates the filtration module into the permeate side and flows out from the tank; and aerating the mixed liquor in the tank so that the porous carriers keep contact with the filtration module, and thus reduce fouling of the filtration module.

Abstract: A wastewater trickle tower has a support structure containing biomedia and a wastewater discharge arrangement for discharging wastewater onto the biomedia. A receptacle below the biomedia receives wastewater falling from the biomedia. The biomedia is surrounded by a flexible curtain suspended from the support structure and extending down to the receptacle. The curtain may have a vertically-extending, releasably-closable opening.

Abstract: A method for biological purification of wastewater is disclosed, wherein the wastewater is purified in a biofilm process followed by an activated sludge process. The biological degradation in the biofilm process is performed under limitation of one of the nutrient salts nitrogen or phosphorous, and the surplus sludge from the biofilm process is allowed to pass to the activated sludge process.

Abstract: A wastewater trickle tower has at least one biomedia grate including pairs of upper hanger bars, pairs of lower hanger bars, and spaced-apart rows of biomedia strands, preferably looped cord strands, connecting the upper and lower hanger bars. Upper ends of the strands are secured between pairs of the upper hanger bars, and lower ends of the strands are secured between pairs of the lower hanger bars. A base receptacle to collect wastewater is disposed below the grate. The upper hanger bars are secured together as a unit, the lower hanger bars are secured together as a unit, and a tensioning arrangement is provide for tensioning the strands by influencing the upper and lower hanger bars apart. The grate may be mounted in and surrounded by a rigid casing so forming a self-supporting filter unit. Two or more such casings may be stackable one upon the other to form a trickle tower two of more filter units high.

Abstract: A method of conditioning mixed liquor in a membrane biological reactor comprising adding to the mixed liquor an effective coagulating and flocculating amount of one or more water soluble cationic, amphoteric or zwitterionic polymers, or combination thereof and methods of reducing membrane fouling, enhancing membrane flux and reducing sludge production.

Abstract: A new biofilm-activated sludge Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) treatment process for sewage or wastewater has successfully been developed as the third generation SBR (SBR3). This new SBR3 process utilizes a multi-stage and multi-sludge SBR configuration receiving either continuous or intermittent inflow of wastewater. Each stage has individually controlled continuous or alternating anaerobic/anoxic/aerobic operation, with or without mixing and recycling from the other stage(s). The configuration and operation is dependent upon the treatment objectives and effluent discharge requirements. In the preferred embodiment, carriers are used to facilitate control of operating conditions.

Abstract: In order to provide a safe means for the direct purification of groundwater, which enables the efficient use of carbon source and the concentration of nitrificans, while requiring no addition of heavy metals, a starch-derived biodegradable plastic is used as a single carbon source and immobilizing carrier of denitrificans, and contacted with nitrate-polluted groundwater.

Abstract: A waste liquid treatment system includes a plurality of flow control elements presenting a plurality of waste liquid flow control surfaces. A biofilm covers at least some of the waste liquid flow control surfaces. The flow control surfaces are adapted and constructed to produce alternating venturis and variable speed votices as waste liquid flows through the flow control elements. In an embodiment, each of the flow control elements comprises a series of fins and vanes forming the water flow control surfaces. Each of the flow control elements can include an inner member having a longitudinal axis, with a plurality of vanes extending radially from the longitudinal axis. A cylindrical outer member can be provided surrounding the inner member, the cylindrical outer member having an outer surface including a plurality of radially projecting longitudinal fins formed thereon. In a specific embodiment, the inner member has eight vanes, and the cylindrical outer member is provided with four fins.

Abstract: Highly porous, beads are comprised of a polymer and a second compound mixed into it. The second compound, an amendment, is either a nutrient or a compound having high affinity to one or more nutrients. A plurality of these beads may be exposed to an aqueous environment, usually a body of water. Bacteria and other microorganisms rapidly enter and remain within the nutrient filled interior space of the beads. Any of a number of various detection methods may then be used to characterize, detect and/or identify the microorganisms.

Abstract: A media used in conjunction with any system than is comprised at least of a septic or anoxic tank followed by an aerobic or alternating aerobic/anoxic treatment unit that is providing nitrification. The media enhances denitrification of effluent that has been recycled from the nitrification unit to the anoxic tank. The is comprised of a number of synthetic cords with a specific gravity less than the specific gravity of the effluent. The cords are attached to the bottom of the septic or anoxic tank. The cords will float in the liquid flow stream of the septic/anoxic tank providing a number of surfaces for fixed film organisms.

Abstract: The method of providing for a fluid treatment, that includes providing a treatment zone containing granular activated charcoal, and providing a stream of water containing nutrients, contaminant degrading microbes and dissolved oxygen, and introducing the stream to a treatment zone to effect adsorption of nutrients and microbes onto the granular activated charcoal, thereby to provide a contaminant treatment matrix, whereby contaminant in fluid flow through the matrix is reduced.

Abstract: Provided is an efficient treating method for coating material waste water which meets a change in a concentration of contaminants contained in waste water and a change in a treating amount by converting scarcely decomposable substances contained in the coating material waste water to easily decomposable substances. The coating material waste water is irradiated with a micro wave to decompose organic substances contained in the above waste water. Further, the coating material waste water before irradiated with a micro wave may be subjected, if necessary, to coagulation treatment by a flocculant or electrolytic treatment. After irradiating with a micro wave to decompose scarcely decomposable substances contained in the waste water to easily decomposable substances, the resulting treated water is preferably fed to a biological reaction bath and subjected to biological treatment under aerobic or anaerobic atmosphere.

Abstract: A wastewater trickle tower has at least one biomedia grate including pairs of upper hanger bars, pairs of lower hanger bars, and spaced-apart rows of biomedia strands, preferably looped cord strands, connecting the upper and lower hanger bars. Upper ends of the strands are secured between pairs of the upper hanger bars, and lower ends of the strands are secured between pairs of the lower hanger bars. A base receptacle to collect wastewater is disposed below the grate. The upper hanger bars are secured together as a unit, the lower hanger bars are secured together as a unit, and a tensioning arrangement is provide for tensioning the strands by influencing the upper and lower hanger bars apart.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment apparatus has a manifold interconnecting two or more trickle towers to enable wastewater to be sequentially moved through the trickle towers in different selective sequences. One or more sensors may sense the growth of biogrowth in the trickle towers, and when the sensed growth reaches a predetermined value, valves or other parts change the interconnection of the manifold to the trickle towers to change the sequence in which the wastewater moves through the trickle towers. A method of treating wastewater includes changing the sequence of flow through the trickle towers to achieve manual or automatic grooming of the biogrowth on the biomedia, so both improving the overall efficiency of the system and also prolonging its running time between maintenance shutdowns. Another embodiment has one or more trickle towers with suspended strands of biomedia down which the wastewater passes; a sensor senses increase in growth of biomass on at least a portion of the biomedia.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for the continuous microbial remediation of organic wastes in sewers and other waste-laden environments utilizing in-situ microbial seeding. A bio-reactor containing inoculated carrier media is suspended within a sewer wet-well or other similar environment, and is at least partially immersed in the waste-laden fluid to be treated. Air and nutrients are continuously supplied to the bio-reactor via conduit from a remote, easily accessible location. Beneficial microbial populations are permitted to thrive and spread throughout the waste-laden environment, mineralizing organic wastes and eventually becoming dominant within the subject environment.

Abstract: A trickle tower for treating wastewater has a support structure containing biomedia, preferably strands of looped cord biomedia. A spray arrangement for spraying wastewater onto the biomedia has the combination of at least one rotatable device with nozzle openings movable along circular paths as the device rotates, and stationary nozzles. A continuous flow of wastewater is supplied to the rotatable device, and intermittent pulses of wastewater are supplied to the stationary nozzles. By strategically locating the stationary nozzles, different shaped cross-sectional areas of biomedia can be adequately sprayed. In place of the rotatable device can be an oscillating manifold extending across the biomedia and having a slot nozzle for cascading wastewater downwardly onto the biomedia with or without the stationary nozzles. A base receptacle below the biomedia receives wastewater falling from the biomedia.

Abstract: A method for treating nitrate-contaminated water comprising treating said water with hydrogen-oxidizing denitrifying bacteria in the presence of hydrogen. The apparatus for use in this method preferably comprises: (a) a pure culture of autotrophic, hydrogen-oxidizing denitrifying bacteria; (b) a hydrogen generator; (c) a flow-through bioreactor; and (d) a filtration unit.

Abstract: An anaerobic digester and a method for treating organic waste and recovering a usable quality methane gas. A first cover of gas permeable material conducive to bacterial colonization covers the surface of a slurry of organic waste material in a containment vessel. The permeable cover acts as a media to support and encourage the growth of methanogenic bacteria. Gas collection apparatus is installed on the first cover. A second cover of gas impermeable material is installed over the gas collection apparatus. A gas collection space is formed between the two covers. Edges of the first and second covers are closed to inhibit the escape of gas from the gas collection space. Biogas produced as a result of anaerobic digestion activity permeates the gas permeable cover and enters the collection space.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a conditioning agent for the treatment of effluent and a process for preparing such a conditioning agent which includes a proportion of flocculating or precipitating agent containing polymers as well as a proportion of micro-organisms.

Abstract: A bacteria growth device (1) for use with bacteria in a substantially liquid medium, the device (1) comprising at least one strip (5) having a surface area shaped and sized for receiving bacteria present in the substantially liquid medium and for allowing attachment of said bacteria onto the surface area of the at least one strip (5) so as to promote growth of the attached bacteria. The substantially liquid medium may be enclosed in an aerobic environment, in which case the device (1) is used to promote the growth of aerobic bacteria. Alternatively, the substantially liquid medium may be enclosed in an anaerobic and/or anoxic environment, in which case the device (1) is used to promote the growth of corresponding anaerobic and/or anoxic bacteria. Also described are an assembly including the above-mentioned device and the method associated thereto.

Abstract: A process for treating organically contaminated waste water is provided comprising an initial treatment step whereby microorganisms are replicated and either attach to support media or remain suspended in the waste water. The microorganisms reduce the incoming biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) level by consuming the organic contaminants. At least a part of the suspended portion of microorganisms are subsequently removed from the initially treated waste water, and the waste water under goes a further treatment step to further reduce the level of organic contaminants.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing the content of ammonia in water provides a submerged surface having a growth of nitrifying bacteria thereon. An aeration system creates air bubbles that travel along the surface as they rise to create aerobic conditions on the surface, and to circulate the water along the surface to allow the nitrifying bacteria to remove ammonia from the water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to membrane filtration systems, and, in particular, arrangements where the membranes are supported within a tank or vessel containing the feed liquid to be filtered.

Abstract: A gravity-flow Biomass Concentrator Reactor (BCR) is provided which uses a porous barrier having pore sizes averaging from about 1 to about 50 microns through which treated water permeates under the pressure of gravity. Solids suspended in water treated with the BCR are effectively retained and concentrated.

Abstract: A process and a plant to carry out the purification in the sea of effluents (waste waters), in which the submarine biopurification of the latter is envisaged, when discharged into the sea. The process and the plant of the invention favor the dilution, in the sea, and recycling of the organic substances contained in the sewage, carrying out the correct disposal of the effluent and the desired cut down of the bacterial load contained in it.

Abstract: A photographic waste liquid treatment method comprises an electrolytic oxidation treatment for photographic waste liquid.

Abstract: A membrane supported biofilm reactor uses modules having fine, hollow fibres, for example, made from dense wall Poly methylpentene (PMP) used in tows or formed into a fabric. In one module, one or more sheets of the fabric are potted into a module to enable oxygen containing gas to be supplied to the lumens of the hollow fibres. Various reactors and processes, for example to treat wastewater, using such modules are described. Mechanical, chemical and biological methods are used to control the thickness of the biofilm.

Abstract: A method for denitrification of water, in which the water to be denitrified is made to flow over a porous carrier which comprises a transition metal, preferably palladium, used in an amount between 0.01 and 5% by weight on the carrier and on which denitrifying bacterial strains capable of surviving in the presence of hydrogen are made to adhere, and in which hydrogen is used as a reducing agent and the pH of the reaction is adjusted to values of 4.5 to 7.8 preferably by using carbon dioxide.

Abstract: An apparatus for the fixed-film anaerobic digestion of flushed livestock manure includes an enclosed digester tank (fixed or flexible roof), internal media for biofilm development, a biogas collection and flare system, various pumps, and hydraulic control systems. The preferred media has substantially vertically-oriented, uninterrupted channels to promote enhanced bacterial attachment and biofilm development. The immobilization of microbial biomass within the reactor as a biofilm allows effective treatment of the wastewater at ambient and higher temperatures, as well as reasonable hydraulic retention times. The composition and concentration of bacterial groups in the biofilm developed on the media in the fixed-film digester result in a significantly enhanced anaerobic degradation process. This novel fixed-film digester design expands the potential application of anaerobic digestion to dilute livestock waste with significant levels of suspended solids.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment apparatus is provided that has a treatment vessel having an upper and a lower region. The lower region has an inlet through which wastewater to be treated is fed and the upper region has an outlet through which treated water is removed. Within the vessel a series of horizontally stacked baffles are arranged to allow the wastewater to pass from the inlet to the outlet. Each baffle is operable to trap and absorb air and solids from the wastewater.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for the continuous microbial remediation of organic contaminants typically found in sewerage and other wastes utilizing in-situ microbial seeding. A bio-reactor containing microbially inoculated carrier media is attached to an existing treatment device (e.g. septic tank) providing liquid/solids separation. Air and nutrients are supplied to the bio-reactor, ideally from a remote, easily accessible location. Beneficial microbial populations are permitted to thrive and spread throughout the waste-laden environment, mineralizing such organic wastes.

Abstract: The method of producing aerobic biogranules for the treatment of waste water comprising the steps of: a) introducing waste water into a reactor; b) seeding the reactor with a active biomass material; c) supplying the oxygen-containing gas to the reactor to provide a mixing action to the suspension of biomass material in said waste water, the supply of oxygen-containing gas providing a superficial upflow gas velocity greater than 0.25 cm/s; d) initiating a period of nutrient starvation of the biomass material while continuing to supply oxygen-containing gas; e) allowing formed aerobic granules to settle in a settling zone in said reactor; f) discharging at least a portion of the waste water; g) repeating steps (a) to (f) until at least a portion of the biogranules in said settling zone are within a predetermined properties; and h) recovering said biomass granules within those predetermined properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides a supported catalyst for in situ remediation of soil and/or groundwater contaminated with a halogenated hydrocarbon comprising an adsorbent impregnated with zero valent iron, wherein the adsorbent is capable of adsorbing the halogenated hydrocarbon. This invention further provides a bioremediation composition for in situ bioremediation of soil and/or groundwater contaminated with hydrocarbons, comprising an adsorbent capable of adsorbing said hydrocarbons, a mixture of facultative anaerobes capable of metabolizing said hydrocarbons under sulfate-reduction conditions, a sulfate-containing compound that releases sulfate over a period of time, and a nutrient system for promoting growth of said anaerobes, wherein said nutrient system includes a sulfide scavenging agent.

Abstract: An anaerobic digester for digesting a slurry of organic waste comprising: a tank having an outer side wall and a lower inner wall, a first radiant heating floor between the outer wall and a first side of the inner wall forming a first chamber and a second radiant heating floor between the outer wall and a second and opposite side of the inner wall forming a second chamber, an inlet pipe for delivering the slurry to a lower portion of the first chamber and a outlet pipe for removing digested slurry from a lower portion of the second chamber, the slurry maintained at a depth that is greater than a height of the inner wall; and a gas collection chamber sealed to the tank along the length of the upper surface of the outer wall.

Abstract: A method of treating waste water and particularly sewerage is disclosed. The method involves treating the conduit system making up the sewerage network before it reaches a typical sewerage treatment plant. A key feature of the method involves introducing an inoculum of selected micro-organisms into a quiescent zone in the conduit system. The quiescent zone is where the water is significantly slowed in its passage along the conduit system and may even be temporarily stationary eg, a pumping well or low point in two sections of pipe. Applicant has ascertained that undesirable micro-organisms tend to flourish in these quiescent zones. By introducing the inoculum a competitive culture of favourable micro-organisms is incubated which is able to out compete the undesirable micro-organisms and lead to break down and degradation of the sewerage in the conduit system before it gets to the treatment plant.

Abstract: Compartmentalization of contents of a facultative lagoon into two separate zones improves the economic efficiency of the lagoon for emission control by eliminating macroscopic mixing between the zones, while allowing odor-causing compounds from the anaerobic zone to pass into the aerobic zone. A physical barrier compartmentalizes or divides the lagoon contents into an upper aerobic zone and a lower anaerobic zone. Odor-causing compounds biologically convert within the aerobic zone into olfactorily inoffensive compounds that release into the atmosphere. An aeration device aerates the aerobic layer. Emission of hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, volatile acids, phenols and other odorous gases from anaerobic wastewater and manure lagoons or basins is reduced.

Abstract: The current invention relates to treatment of waste water and in particular to treatment of sewerage effluent. The current invention broadly resides in a method of treating waste water in a waste water reticulation system including inoculating the waste water with an inoculum of selected microorganisms at a site prior to the treatment plant in the waste water reticulation system or discharge site where there is no treatment plant in the waste water reticulation system; and incubating the waste water inoculated with the selected microorganisms to form a culture that reduces waste in the inoculated waste water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lagoon partitioned for hog waste treatment, and the method of waste treatment in said lagoon. More particularly, the present invention relates to a lagoon for hog waste, which is partitioned into zones separated by walls, comprising a first zone for storing and settling hog waste, a second zone for carrying out sequence batch reaction onto the supernatant from the first zone, a third zone for storing processed liquid materials from the second zone, and a fourth zone for fermenting the solid materials from the first and second zones, wherein a passageway with a pump is installed between the respective two zones for transference of solid and liquid waste materials.

Abstract: A system and method for removing contaminants from water that has a relatively low oxygen content with naturally occurring chemoautotrophic bacteria, ferrous iron, manganese, sulfide, and other contaminants. The system comprises an oxygenation vessel for oxygenating the water and a filtration vessel having bio-filtration media with surfaces that are exposed to the oxygenated water. The chemoautotrophic bacteria propagate in the presence of the oxygenated water and deposit certain of the contaminants on the bio-filtration media as by-products. The contaminants are also precipitated in the presence of the oxygenated water and settle on the bio-filtration media in at least the filtration vessel. A secondary filtration stage can further remove contaminants from the water that were not sufficiently removed by the first filtration stage.

Abstract: A method and means for cleaning surface or waste water in which the water is supplied to a sludge separator (14) for the separation of suspendable material. After the sludge separator the water is supplied to a biostep filter in which pollution is deposited at at least one filter body (42, 48) of permeable material of a type on which a bioskin may grow to create microprocesses without the permeability decreases and thereafter further to a sorbent filter (28, 40), whereby the water after this flows to a recipient. A pump (24, 124) is connected to the plant, preferably between the biostep filter (18, 42) and the sorbent filter (28, 40).

Abstract: In place of the conventional aerobic treatment station, wastewater undergoes aeration in a treatment-pipe. The treatment-pipe has a long/narrow configuration. Open-cell foam serves as treatment material, in the treatment pipe, and promotes attachment of microbial colonies. Two or more treatment-pipes may be connected in series or parallel. Also, in place of a conventional septic tank, wastewater undergoes anaerobic treatment and settlement in a treatment-pipe. The treatment-pipe has a long/narrow configuration. End chambers provide inlet and outlet ports, a sump for collecting settled-out solids, and sealing attachments for the treatment-pipe itself.

Abstract: This invention relates to a denitrifying composition which is a material to be used for decomposing nitrates nitrogen in effluent by sulfur-oxidizing bacteria that consume sulfur and carbonate as nutrients and is characterized by containing particles of calcium carbonate dispersed in sulfur. Preferably, the composition contains 10 parts by weight of sulfur coexisting with 10-15 parts by weight of calcium carbonate and 1-3 parts by weight of a microporous substance. This denitrifying composition can be prepared by heating powder of calcium carbonate and sulfur thereby melting the sulfur, dispersing the powder of calcium carbonate in liquid sulfur and solidifying the dispersion by rapid cooling. The composition simultaneously contains nutrients and alkali source and hence enables denitrification to proceed stably without addition of other components.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for biological purification of effluents in mixed cultures using micro-organisms whereof part at least is fixed on solid supports. The invention is characterised in that said supports are activated so as to generate a turbulence in the reaction medium, the intensity of which is such that it reduces the production of biological sludge, the materials constituting said micro-organism supports being abraded and cleaned, while being retained in said reaction medium.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for processing municipal waste starts with a biomass that has been treated in at least one steam autoclave and dilutes the resulting biomass in a dilution tank while agitating the resulting mixture a sufficient amount and at an effective temperature to cause cellulose fibers within the biomass that became twisted during processing within the autoclave to relax and straighten out. The biomass mixture is fed into a hybrid anaerobic digester having separate zones for digesting the solid portion of the biomass and the fluid portion of the biomass. The hybrid anaerobic digester is a vessel having an inner zone for digestion of the solid portion of the biomass and a concentric outer zone having attached growth media that retains methane producing organisms which produce biogas from the fluid portion of the biomass.

Abstract: Method of waste water/water treatment in a submerged membrane bioreactor is disclosed. The bioreactor includes a tank containing a mixed liquor having microorganism; porous carriers in the mixed liquors; and a filtration module immersed in the mixed liquor and having a permeate side into which fluid can flow only through the filtration module. The method includes introducing an influent into the tank; applying a negative pressure source to the permeate side so that liquid in the tank penetrates the filtration module into the permeate side and flows out from the tank; and aerating the mixed liquor in the tank so that the porous carriers keep contact with the filtration module, and thus reduce fouling of the filtration module.