Abstract: A magnetic sludge which is suitable for use in waste water treatment, is easy to prepare, contains microbes and interacts with a magnetic field; and a method for treating waste water with improved efficiency comprising employing a biological membrane which uses the magnetic sludge and hence is easy to control its movement.

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: A waste water treatment equipment treats a fluorine waste water containing organic matter, nitrogen, phosphor and hydrogen peroxide by an anaerobic tank 3 in which a calcium carbonate mineral 9 is placed and an aerobic tank 15 in which the calcium carbonate mineral 9 is placed and into which a biologically treated water is introduced from a treatment equipment 444 of another system. Therefore, the fluorine in the waste water can be treated by the calcium carbonate mineral 9 placed in the anaerobic tank 3 and the aerobic tank 15 with the formation of calcium fluoride 11. The organic matter of the surface active agent and so on in the waste water can be treated by the microorganism included in the biologically treated water. Furthermore, nitrate nitrogen can be treated so as to be reduced to a nitrogen gas in the anaerobic tank 3, while ammoniacal nitrogen and nitrite nitrogen can be treated so as to be oxidized in the aerobic tank 15.

Abstract: Hydrophobic compositions and methods for using hydrophobic compositions in improving the water quality of water applications. The hydrophobic composition comprising hydrophobic carriers and microbial agents and wherein the hydrophobic composition distributes the microbial agent efficiently and uniformly to the water application and target plants and/or organisms.

Abstract: The performance of a leach field of a septic tank type wastewater treatment system and other analogous devices is enhanced, maintained or rejuvenated by flowing air or other active gas through conduits of the system. Air is flowed serially through cesspools, leaching chambers, perforated pipes in stone filled trenches, leach pits and the like, and the adjacent soil where wastewater treatment takes place. In alternate embodiments, conduits are pressurized or evacuated; and, auxiliary pipes are buried in vicinity of the conduits. An air mover creates a differential pressure sufficient to effect a significant pressure differential with atmosphere and to effect a desired physical or biochemical change in the soil adjacent the conduits. A typical pressure will be around 7-8 cm (about 3 inch) water column. If the soil is saturated, the air pressure will push water from the soil, as well as change the gas composition in the soil. The flow of wastewater may be alternated with the flow of air.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retrofitting existing waste water treatment facilities having at least one existing basin including installing generally vertical partitions at spaced locations in the at least one existing basin in order to divide the at least one existing basin into a plurality of treatment stage regions, installing at least one air lift in each of the plurality of treatment stage regions, loading each treatment stage regions with a quantity of floatable porous particles, supplying waste water to at least one of the plurality of treatment stage regions and allowing the waste water, but generally not the particles, to flow from at least one of the plurality of treatment stage regions to at least another of the plurality of treatment stage regions and operating the at least one air lift in each of the plurality of treatment stage regions to provide aerobic waste water flow therein in operative engagement with the floatable porous particles.

Abstract: There are disclosed a bioreactor carrier comprising a (A) water swellable thermoplastic resin, preferably water swellable thermoplastic polyurethane resin and a (B) compatible resin with the resin as the component (A), and as the case may be, a (C) inorganic filler, characterized in that the degree of volumetric swelling of said carrier is controlled within the range of 120 to 3000%, and that the specific gravity of said carrier on swelling in water is controlled within the range of 1.02 to 2.12; a process for producing the bioreactor carrier; and a process for denitrifying treatment of organic waste water which comprises nitrifying and denitrifying nitrogen components in the organic waste water with microbes by using the above bioreactor carrier. The bioreactor carrier has high physical strength, can be readily produced and uniformly fluidized in a reactor, and enables microbial and enzymatic reactions to be effectively performed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for nitrifying denitrifying organic waste water to nitrify and denitrify the nitrogenous components in the waste water, which comprises making use of a microbe carrier composed of an organic thermoplastic high molecular compound (thermoplastic polyurethane) in both a nitrifying step and a denitrifying step, preferably in an alternate and repeated manner, wherein the compound has, in a state of complete swelling in water, a water absorption rate in the range of 50 to 3500%, a compressive yield stress of at least 1.0 MPa each being defined by a specific formula, and a particle diameter in the range of 1.0 to 30 mm. The process is capable of efficiently performing nitrifying and denitrifying steps, steadily achieving high treatment performances, contriving compactification of the treatment facility, and curtailing the treatment time and treatment cost, while the microbe carrier can withstand long-term service without any trouble.

Abstract: A biosorbent composition, process of preparing and use thereof wherein the biosorbent composition comprises a chitosan-coated substrate. Useful substrates include support materials such as a ceramic support material. The biosorbent composition of the instant invention is useful in treating aqueous systems, including wastewater and aqueous waste streams, by removing undesired heavy metals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel ex situ processes for simple and economical destruction of air, water, and soil contaminants using naturally occurring microorganisms that are widely available in the environment. The processes utilize novel closed-loop recycle schemes which dramatically improve the efficiency, economics, and practicability of destruction of a wide variety of contaminants, especially VOCs and chloroethylenes, and particularly trichloroethylene (TCE). The processes may be applied on a batch or continuous basis to contaminated soil and groundwater, to contaminated effluents from a wide variety industrial operations, or to wherever such amenable contaminants are present. Certain contaminants, particularly chloroethylenes, are known to be difficult to biodegrade aerobically to non-toxic products without the employment of a primary substrate to induce cometabolic degradation.

Abstract: A process for treating industrial waste water highly loaded with ammonium, by treating the waste water with nitrifying microorganisms (nitric bacteria) in the presence of a suspended carrier substance with a specific surface of >20 m2/g and in a given case a denitrification with denitrifying microorganisms (denitrifying bacteria). According to a modification of the process, a finely-divide carbon-containing material with a surface-pH value of around 6 to 9 is used instead of the silicate carrier substance.

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: The wastewater treatment systems have a plurality of treatment modules between the inlet and the outlet, each for treating water with a selected process. Influent is directed to a fixed-film reactor. Water then flows to a hydroponic reactor, in which aquatic plants are suspended atop the liquid for achieving aquatic-root-zone treatment. A filtration device removes any remaining suspended solids following the hydroponic reactor. Recycling may occur to the fixed-film reactor to enhance nitrogen removal from one or both of the hydroponic reactor and the filtration device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a two stage process for treating wastewater that subjects the influent to anoxic and oxic filtering processes. The first stage performs anoxic nitrification i.e., the conversion of nitrate to nitrogen gas by bacteria operating in the absence of oxygen. Influent (effluent from the primary clarifiers) is fed into the bottom of the anoxic dentirification tank, preventing contact with the atmosphere and thus reducing the amount of unwanted dissolved oxygen. The influent passes upwards through a layer of sludge biomass before contacting bacteria coated media which performs the denitrification process. This arrangement permits the influent to contact the sludge and the biomass to circulate through the filter, enhancing deoxygenation and the performance of the system.

Abstract: There are disclosed a bioreactor carrier comprising a (A) water swellable thermoplastic resin, preferably water swellable thermoplastic polyurethane resin and a (B) compatible resin with the resin as the component (A), and as the case may be, a (C) inorganic filler, characterized in that the degree of volumetric swelling of said carrier is controlled within the range of 120 to 3000%, and that the specific gravity of said carrier on swelling in water is controlled within the range of 1.02 to 2.12; a process for producing the bioreactor carrier; and a process for denitrifying treatment of organic waste water which comprises nitrifying and denitrifying nitrogen components in the organic waste water with microbes by using the above bioreactor carrier. The bioreactor carrier has high physical strength, can be readily produced and uniformly fluidized in a reactor, and enables microbial and enzymatic reactions to be effectively performed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a floated biological treatment apparatus and a process for purifying refractory wastewater or raw water for drinking water. The treatment apparatus of the present invention includes a supporting plate for dividing the treatment apparatus into upper and lower portions. The upper portion is formed into a reactor, and porous compressible carriers are filled with the reactor in an amount of 80 vol % to 100 vol % of the reactor volume. The lower portion is provided with a liquid inlet for introducing the refractory wastewater or raw water and a gas inlet. The reactor is provided with at least one top carrier blocking plate at the top, such that the carriers can be limited by the top carrier blocking plate to be retained in the reactor, and the carriers can become a floating state.

Abstract: The performance of a leach field of a septic tank type wastewater treatment system and other analogous devices is enhanced, maintained or rejuvenated by flowing air or other active gas through conduits of the system. Air is flowed serially through leaching chambers, perforated pipes in stone filled trenches, pits and the like, and the adjacent soil where wastewater treatment takes place. In alternate embodiments, conduits are pressurized or evacuated; and, auxiliary pipes are buried in vicinity of the conduits. An air mover creates a differential pressure sufficient to effect a desired physical or biochemical change in the soil adjacent the conduits, variously to to an extent sufficient to push water from saturated soil and to change the gas composition in the soil. Different valve devices and piping configurations are used to manage the desired flow of air and wastewater.

Abstract: The apparatus is a small flow wastewater treatment system. The system uses a recirculating packed media filter for the initial treatment of effluent from a device such as a septic tank. The incoming wastewater is furnished to the recirculating packed media filter intermittently to permit air into the filter for maintaining high levels of oxygen for bacteria action. The recirculating packed media filter is followed by a subsurface flow constructed wetland. The wastewater entering the apparatus of the invention is divided into two parts so that 5 to 25 percent of the incoming flow bypasses the recirculating packed media filter and goes directly into the subsurface flow constructed wetland to encourage bacteria action that converts nitrates into gaseous nitrogen.

Abstract: A biological filter element includes a support element of generally ellipsoidal configuration. The support element has two opposite polar regions and includes a medial ring intermediate the two opposite polar regions and a plurality of arcuate ribs extending from the medial ring to each polar region. Adjacent arcuate ribs are angularly spaced to provide access to an interior space of the support element. A cohesive body of biologically active material surrounds the support element and penetrates the interior space of the support element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for biochemical treatment of waste water. The process uses a nano material such as carbon black to induce micro to degrade organic pollutants in the waste water which are generally unable or hard to be degraded and thereby greatly enhance the effect of biological cleaning of waste water. The effect is more prominent for the waste water that is hard to treat by the conventional biochemical treatment, high concentration waste water, and highly poisonous waste water. The process of the present invention is widely usable in the aerobic, oxygen-facultative or anaerobic biochemical treatment systems.

Abstract: A treatment media is provided capable of acting upon at least one chemical contaminant in an aqueous composition and assisting in the decomposition thereof. The treatment media is a biologically activated organically modified material which includes a mineral based substrate, selected from the group consisting of clays, clay analogs, synthetic resins, zeolites and mixtures thereof. The mineral based substrate is treated with an organic modification compound selected from the group consisting of quaternary amines, pyridinium compounds, phosphonium amines, and mixtures thereof. At least one strain of bacteria is engrafted to the mineral-based substrate, the bacteria being capable of facilitating decomposition of the chemical contaminant. Quaternary amines used provide enhancement of bacterial colonies and do not adversely effect bacterial activity when employed as the organic modification compound to treat the mineral based substrate.

Abstract: A method for treating waste water and a plant designed for preventing the precipitation of carriers under the air blower installed for reaction tank or aeration tank, wherein the plant comprises an aeration tank 1 containing the carriers 2 for growing microorganism for biological treatment of waste water or the subunit 1a joined with the aeration tank through a partition wall 4 including the screen capable of separating the carriers 2, air blower 3 provided for the aeration tank or the subunit of the aeration tank, air bubble generator 5 or submerged stirrer provided under the air blower 3 for creating the flow of water so that the carriers 2 under the blower 3 can be liquidized by the flow of water created by the air bubble generator or the submerged stirrer to prevent the precipitation of the carriers 2 under the air blower 3, whereby not only the precipitation of the carriers under the air blower 3 can be prevented but also the water treatment efficiency and capacity meeting the designed numerical requirem

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retrofitting existing waste water treatment facilities having at least one existing basin including installing generally vertical partitions at spaced locations in the at least one existing basin in order to divide the at least one existing basin into a plurality of treatment stage regions, installing at least one air lift in each of the plurality of treatment stage regions, loading each treatment stage regions with a quantity of floatable porous particles, supplying waste water to at least one of the plurality of treatment stage regions and allowing the waste water, but generally not the particles, to flow from at least one of the plurality of treatment stage regions to at least another of the plurality of treatment stage regions and operating the at least one air lift in each of the plurality of treatment stage regions to provide aerobic waste water flow therein in operative engagement with the floatable porous particles.

Abstract: The functioning of the leach field of a septic tank type sewage system is maintained or rejuvenated by flowing air or other active gas through the system's conduits, for instance, leaching chambers or perforated pipes in stone filled trenches. Differential pressure created by an air mover forces air or other active gas to flow through the soil adjacent the conduits, to an extent sufficient to push water from any saturated soil and effect desirable aerobic biochemical conditions in the soil. In alternate embodiments, conduits may be pressurized or evacuated. Valves and other plumbing are provided to control air flow and enable continued function of the sewage system during air flow treatment. Auxiliary piping, buried adjacent the trenches of the leach field, is pressurized or evacuated to cause air flow through the soil and or the conduits of the leach field.

Abstract: Highly porous, adsorbent biocatalyst beads of poly(hexamethyleneadipamide) or poly(caproamide) polymer having powdered activated carbon dispersed throughout the polymer and biocatalytic material, such as bacteria, located within macropores of the beads, are highly useful and relatively inexpensive polymeric beads, compared to similar known aramid beads, in removing organic and/or some inorganic contaminants from aqueous streams. The biocatalytic material consumes the organic and/or some inorganic contaminants which are adsorbed by the activated carbon and metabolizes the contaminant into harmless products, while continuously renewing the adsorptive capacity of the activated carbon.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and a method for waste water treatment not generating excessive sludge, for which down-sized tanks are usable. The apparatus comprises an aeration tank where waste water to be treated is kept in contact with carrier particles in an aerobic condition, and a complete oxidation tank. In this, the liquid in the complete oxidation tank is filtered through a separation membrane and the resulting filtrate is discharged out of the system. The s-BOD sludge load to the complete oxidation tank is preferably at most 0.1 kg-BOD/kg-MLSS·day.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel ex situ processes for simple and economical destruction of air, water, and soil contaminants using naturally occurring microorganisms that are widely available in the environment. The processes utilize novel closed-loop recycle schemes which dramatically improve the efficiency, economics, and practicability of destruction of a wide variety of contaminants, especially VOCs and chloroethylenes, and particularly trichloroethylene (TCE). The processes may be applied on a batch or continuous basis to contaminated soil and groundwater, to contaminated effluents from a wide variety industrial operations, or to wherever such amenable contaminants are present. Certain contaminants, particularly chloroethylenes, are known to be difficult to biodegrade aerobically to non-toxic products without the employment of a primary substrate to induce cometabolic degradation.

Abstract: A calcium carbonate mineral is placed in a lower portion of a second water tank, while sludge precipitated in a sixth water tank is returned to an upper portion. A blower and an air diffusion pipe weakly aerate the lower portion. Thus, an unreacted chemical sludge zone is formed in the upper portion of the second water tank. As a result, the second water tank can execute a primary treatment of fluorine in a waste water by the calcium carbonate mineral, a secondary treatment of fluorine and a primary treatment of phosphor by unreacted chemicals, treatment of surface active agent by microorganisms in a return sludge and reduction treatment of hydrogen peroxide by anaerobic microorganisms in the return sludge. The unreacted chemicals are thus reused, so that the amount of generation of waste can be reduced and concurrently the treatment can be executed with energy conservation.

Abstract: A biologically active support is provided for removal of pollutants such as aliphatics, aromatics, heteroaromatics and halogenated derivatives from waste streams. The support contains a particulate adsorbent such as activated carbon bound by a polymer binder to a substrate such as a polymeric foam, and a bound pollutant-degrading microorganism. The adsorbent adsorbs a target pollutant, and the microorganism degrades the pollutant. Preferably, the microorganism is aerobic and the binder has a Tg of lower than or equal to about 25° C. The adsorbent adsorbs excess pollutant when the pollutant concentration increases and releases the pollutant when the concentration decreases. This maintains the pollutant concentration at a level which does not inhibit the microorganism. The biologically active support can be used in conventional biological waste treatment systems such as continuous stirred reactors, fixed-bed reactors and fluidized bed reactors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and installation for treating waste water from oil seed and cereal processing, especially olive oil mill waste water (OMW), guaranteeing a substantial reduction of environmentally damaging waste water ingredients while taking economic factors into account. The aim of the invention is to develop a method and system designed to treat olive oil mill waste water, whereby higher physical, chemical, biochemical and biological elimination rates can be achieved using the material and energy potential of the OMW while taking economic aspects into account. The installation needs to be able to operate at short notice due to the amounts of seasonal waste. In the inventive method and installation thus disclosed, the fresh waste water is pre-treated by subjecting it to acidification with biogenic flocculation and separation of solid particles.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment method for removing organic matter and nitrogen from wastewater. In the wastewater treatment method, an excessive amount of organic matter which prevents nitrifying bacteria from growing is removed in a leading aeration tank, and the conditions of the aeration tank are optimized using the nitrifying carrier to which a great amount of nitrifying bacteria can be attached for growth, such that the nitrifying bacteria can multiply therein. As a result, a large amount of wastewater can be treated within a short time, and it is possible to stably cope with a change in load of the organic matter of the wastewater. Thus, the wastewater treatment apparatus can be smaller, and an improvement in performance thereof can be expected. Also, the wastewater can be treated stably during the winter season when the activity of the nitrifying bacteria becomes low, so that the wastewater treatment method according to the present invention can be applied to most wastewater treatment plants, e.g.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a purification method metal(s) containing water wherein: the process is fully continuous, the water flows through a sand filter, inoculated with viable micro-organisms, a part of the micro-organism biomass, loaded with metals, is evacuated, and the micro-organism biomass loss is equal to the micro-organism biomass growth.

Abstract: Embodiments of a remediation reactor and mixer/contactor blade for the reactor are shown and described, the reactor (11) being for containing a liquid slurry, suspension or settled bed of solid particles containing microorganisms. Inside the vessel is a supply conduit and at least one generally horizontal stirrer blade (27) in fluid connection with the supply conduit. The stirrer blade is a mixer/contactor which has a leading side having openings through which fluid may pass. The stirrer blade rotates in the vessel, and this rotation is made easier by the hydraulic forces of fluid flowing out from the stirrer blade. The flowing fluid creates a fluidization zone in the slurry, suspension or settled bed at or near the leading edge of the stirrer blade. The fluidization zone is less dense than the rest of the sediment bed, and the stirrer blade tends to rotate into the fluidization zone.

Abstract: There are disclosed a bioreactor carrier comprising a (A) water swellable thermoplastic resin, preferably water swellable thermoplastic polyurethane resin and a (B) compatible resin with the resin as the component (A), and as the case may be, a (C) inorganic filler, characterized in that the degree of volumetric swelling of said carrier is controlled within the range of 120 to 3000%, and that the specific gravity of said carrier on swelling in water is controlled within the range of 1.02 to 2.12; a process for producing the bioreactor carrier; and a process for denitrifying treatment of organic waste water which comprises nitrifying and denitrifying nitrogen components in the organic waste water with microbes by using the above bioreactor carrier. The bioreactor carrier has high physical strength, can be readily produced and uniformly fluidized in a reactor, and enables microbial and enzymatic reactions to be effectively performed.

Abstract: There are disclosed a bioreactor carrier comprising a (A) water swellable thermoplastic resin, preferably water swellable thermoplastic polyurethane resin and a (B) specific inorganic filler which is added thereto at the time of producing and/or molding said resin, characterized in that the specific gravity of the carrier on swelling in water is controlled within the range of 1.02 to 1.35; a process for producing the bioreactor carrier; and a process for denitrifying treatment of organic waste water which comprises nitrifying and denitrifying nitrogen components in the organic waste water with microbes by the use of the above bioreactor carrier. The bioreactor carrier has high physical strength, can be readily produced and uniformly fluidized in a reactor, and enables microbial and enzymatic reactions to be effectively performed.

Abstract: A method of removing contaminates from ground water is provided which places a biological permeable barrier in the path of the ground water flow to contact the contaminated groundwater with encapsulated microorganisms which act to decontaminate the contacted groundwater.

Abstract: A process for minute dosing of effluent in a gravity media filter includes filtering incoming sewage in a pre-filter to produce a liquid effluent filtered to less than 100 microns, and pumping the effluent from the pre-filter to a pulse-feeding device preferably comprising a pressure vessel having a controlled pulsing unit. Effluent in the vessel is intermittently discharged in short pressure pulses volume controlled at preselected time intervals. The effluent from the pulse feeding device is forward pulse-fed to an array of drip irrigation emitters spread out over a surface area of a gravity filter containing a filter media such as a sand and gravel filter. Small doses of effluent are fed to the surface area of the gravity media filter by the emitters at a rate substantially less than a standard drip irrigation rate, owing to the intermittent pressure pulses. One preferred drip rate is greatly less than 2 liters per hour.

Abstract: The invention relates to an effluent treatment process and to a plant for treating effluent. The plant comprises a pair of elongate vessels, one vessel being for aerobic and the other being for anoxic metabolisation of effluent by microorganisms in the form of biomass-coated particles, each vessel having a downcomer zone and a riser zone. The first riser zone of the vessel for anoxic metabolisation communicates with the downcomer zone of the vessel for aerobic metabolisation.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for nitrifying denitrifying organic waste water to nitrify and denitrify the nitrogenous components in the waste water, which comprises making use of a microbe carrier composed of an organic thermoplastic high molecular compound (thermoplastic polyurethane) in both a nitrifying step and a denitrifying step, preferably in an alternate and repeated manner, wherein the compound has, in a state of complete swelling in water, a water absorption rate in the range of 50 to 3500%, a compressive yield stress of at least 1.0 MPa each being defined by a specific formula, and a particle diameter in the range of 1.0 to 30 mm. The process is capable of efficiently performing nitrifying and denitrifying steps, steadily achieving high treatment performances, contriving compactification of the treatment facility, and curtailing the treatment time and treatment cost, while the microbe carrier can withstand long-term service without any trouble.

Abstract: Sewage waste digestive bacteria and enzymes are incorporated into a slow release material and delivered to the site of the waste to digest the solid waste. The slow release material is made heavy so the enzymes and bacteria will be delivered to the sludge in the bottom of a sewage digester chamber and made fat soluble so that the enzymes and bacteria will be delivered to the grease in the waste system to be digested. This selective delivery system prevents the enzymes and bacteria from being diluted in grey water rendering them less effective and discharged from the sewage system without digesting waste.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system is disclosed whereby trickling filters remove a high proportion of biochemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids, and nutrients from wastewater using, in one embodiment, a pressurized media container. The system accomplishes this in an improved way by combining venturies or blowers to aerate the wastewater, and recirculating the wastewater and air down through the treatment media, improving the overall efficiency of the system and reducing its size. A screen at the base of the pressurized media container supports the media and allows the wastewater to exit the pressurized media container. The system also includes a low pressure nozzle that aids in the proper distribution of the wastewater.

Abstract: This invention relates to a biological activator for a septic tank of the type comprising a product in the form of solid particles, which is non-corrosive, non-toxic, finely divided, and of large specific area, comprising a colloidal phase in suspension and a flocculent phase, having a reducing power of mineral origin, its function being to form a support for anaerobic microbial flora in a septic tank in order to increase the bacterial saturation density in a septic tank for an equivalent quantity of nutrients, its specific area being (in m2/g) between about 25 and 66, more particularly between about 35 and 66, and advantageously between about 46 and 60, and a cation exchange capacity (in meq/100 g) between about 9 and 38, more particularly between about 14 and 38, and advantageously between about 24 and 35.

Abstract: A process for treating water having anions comprising sulfur and oxygen dissolved therein involves subjecting the anions to an anaerobic biological reduction to sulfide anions dissolved in the water, followed by a biological oxidation of the sulfide anions to elemental sulfur suspended in the water. The sulfur is separated from the water. The reduction and oxidation are effected together in a series of common reaction stages in which there are oxidizing conditions which permit the biological oxidation without preventing the biological reduction.

Abstract: A device for use in processing of a liquid and/or gas stream. The device is made up of a monolithic structure having active powder for treating streams. The structure has an inlet end and an outlet end and a multiplicity of cells extending from inlet end to outlet end. The cells are separated from one another by porous walls, a portion of the total number of cells being plugged in a pattern such that a stream enters the device through the unplugged cells at the inlet end and passes through at least two porous walls and the active powder in-between, and thereafter passes out of the device through unplugged cells at the outlet end. The device finds use in a number of applications including ion exchange, adsorption, biological and chemical reactions, and catalytic applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to magnetic carriers in which microorganisms requiring carriers for their growth in the step of treating wastewater have been immmobilized, a process for producing the carriers and a method of treating wastewater. The present invention provides microorganisms-immobilized carriers with a high amount of microorganisms immobilized for use in wastewater treatment, the movement of which is controllable in a treatment chamber by magnetic force. Further the present invention provides a process for producing said carriers easily and a method for treating wastewater efficiently.

Abstract: A septic tank effluent filter includes a housing positioned external to and downstream a septic tank for receiving the effluent prior to it being released into a drainfield positioned downstream the housing. The housing includes an inlet port and an offset outlet ports on an opposing wall for connection between the septic tank and drainfield. A cylindrical container is carried within the housing and is connected directly to the outlet port for having the effluent flow from within the housing through the uniformly perforated cylindrical wall of the container to outlet port. A circular base plate of the container provides a baffle and prevents the undesirable direct streaming of the effluent from the inlet port to the outlet port. A plastic mesh bag is filled with polystyrene plastic beads having a large surface to volume ratio, thus a large surface area within a desirable space.

Abstract: The invention is a biological process for purifying waste water in order to produce an effluent with a low content of carbon and of oxygenated nitrogen compounds. The process includes an initial step of mixing the waste water in a biological reactor with activated sludge to denitrify the resulting mixture. Then, air is introduced into the mixture to form an anoxic sludge thereby directly oxidizing carbon present in the anoxic sludge and removing carbon therefrom, simultaneous with the denitrification. The anoxic sludge is clarified to separate it from a denitrified intermediate effluent. The clarified anoxic sludge is recycled to the biological reactor.

Abstract: A process for treating a body water to purify it. In this process, a portion of the water to be treated is continuously caused to flow at a rate of at least about 60 feet per minute and is continuously agitated, aerated, and fed into a biochamber within which are disposed at least five distinct strains of microorganisms. A screen is disposed in the biochamber below the microorganisms, and air is forced through such screen during the processing of the water.

Abstract: A calcium carbonate mineral is placed in a lower portion of a second water tank, while sludge precipitated in a sixth water tank is returned to an upper portion. A blower and an air diffusion pipe weakly aerate the lower portion. Thus, an unreacted chemical sludge zone is formed in the upper portion of the second water tank. As a result, the second water tank can execute a primary treatment of fluorine in a waste water by the calcium carbonate mineral, a secondary treatment of fluorine and a primary treatment of phosphor by unreacted chemicals, treatment of surface active agent by microorganisms in a return sludge and reduction treatment of hydrogen peroxide by anaerobic microorganisms in the return sludge. The unreacted chemicals are thus reused, so that the amount of generation of waste can be reduced and concurrently the treatment can be executed with energy conservation.

Abstract: A slurry-forming apparatus and method of using the slurry-forming apparatus. In one aspect, the apparatus (122) comprising: a) a vessel, comprising: i) a cylindrical vessel wall (60, 160), the cylindrical vessel wall having an interior surface; ii) a downwardly-sloped floor joined to the vessel wall; an outlet in the downwardly-sloped floor; iii) and one or more baffles (172, 182) along the interior surface of the vessel wall; b) a fluid inlet opening (86) into the vessel and being configured for injecting a fluid into the vessel; c) a granular material inlet opening into the vessel and being configured for providing a granular material into the vessel; and d) the baffles, fluid inlet, granular material inlet and outlet being configured relative to one another whereby a slurry is formed from the injected fluid and provided granular material without substantial mechanical agitation of the vessel, and whereby the slurry exits the vessel through the outlet.