Abstract: New and innovative systems and methods for registration degradation correction for surgical procedures are disclosed. An example system includes a surgical marking pen including a first trackable target and a registration plate including a second trackable target. The system also includes a navigation camera and a processor configured to perform a pen registration that determines a transformation between a tip of the surgical marking pen and the first trackable target when the tip of the surgical marking pen is placed on the registration plate. The pen registration enables the processor to record virtual marks at locations of the pen tip that correspond to physical marks drawn by the pen. Locations of the virtual marks are later compared to images of the physical marks to correct any registration degradation by moving a surgical camera or robotic arm connected to the surgical camera.

Abstract: A suspended bed electro-membrane bioreactor system is provided, including a cathode chamber with a tubular structure with a sealed bottom; an anode chamber with a tubular structure located in the cathode chamber, where there is a gap between an outer wall of the anode chamber and an inner wall of the cathode chamber, and the anode chamber is provided with a proton channel region in a middle, is fixedly connected with an anode cover plate in a top and is filled with an anode assembly; a stainless steel membrane module located in the gap and electrically connected with the anode assembly; a polymethyl methacrylate partition plate located in the gap, forming a closed cylindrical space with the stainless steel membrane module and communicating the cathode chamber and the anode chamber; and a suspended bed filled between the closed cylindrical space and the anode chamber.

Abstract: A bioreactor vessel incudes a first compartment configured to receive a suspension comprising cells and a cell culture medium, for use in a cell processing operation, a second compartment for receiving an overflow of the cell culture medium from the first compartment, and an overflow separating the first compartment from the second compartment, the overflow being configured to maintain a level of the cell culture medium in the first compartment.

Abstract: A current limiting circuit for controlling current from a power supply to a load having a capacitance includes an inductor, a transistor coupled in a current path with the inductor, and a control circuit. The transistor includes a control terminal. The control circuit is coupled to sense a voltage across the inductor and coupled to the control terminal of the transistor. The control circuit is configured to turn off the transistor when the voltage across the inductor is greater than a threshold to restrict current from a power supply, and turn on the transistor when a defined parameter is met to allow current from the power supply to charge the load capacitance. Other example current limiting circuits are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for treating acrolein reactor wastewater, comprising the steps of: S1. mixing acrolein reactor wastewater and a carbonate aqueous solution to obtain a mixed solution, wherein the acrolein reactor wastewater has a pH value of less than 2 and contains 500 ppm to 3,000 ppm of acrolein, 50 ppm to 800 ppm of allyl alcohol, 40,000 ppm to 100,000 ppm of acrylic acid, 10,000 ppm to 30,000 ppm of formaldehyde, 3,000 ppm to 10,000 ppm of acetic acid and 3,000 ppm to 8,000 ppm of maleic acid; and the mixed solution has a pH value of 4 to 6, a COD concentration ranging from 7,500 ppm to 30,000 ppm, and a formaldehyde concentration ranging from 800 ppm to 4,000 ppm; S2. conveying the mixed solution obtained in step S1 to an anaerobic reactor (4) for biochemical treatment; and S3. conveying the solution treated in step S2 to an aerobic biochemical tank (5) for treatment; and reflowing at least one part of the solution treated in step S2 and/or S3 to step S2.

Abstract: A method for nitrate removal from drinking water. The method includes adapting a sludge including hydrogenotrophic denitrifiers (HTDs) by dominating the HTDs in the sludge, cultivating a microalgae biomass, forming a microalgae-HTD biomass by cultivating a mixture of the adapted sludge and the cultivated microalgae biomass, nucleating a plurality of microalgae-HTD granules by cultivating the formed microalgae-HTD biomass in a sequencing batch (SB) mode with a constant HRT, growing the plurality of microalgae-HTD granules by cultivating the nucleated plurality of microalgae-HTD granules in an up flow (UF) mode with a reducing HRT, and continuous nitrate removal from nitrate-contaminated water with a minimum HRT over the grown plurality of microalgae-HTD granules.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning a contaminated air stream, the method comprising the step of passing the contaminated air stream through a multistage cleaning reactor, wherein at least two stages of the multistage cleaning reactor comprise marine shell material.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system includes an aeration tank under a plurality of trickling filters to receive wastewater from the trickling filters. A plurality of bacteria culture modules are received in each trickling filters. A plurality of blower devices and air pipes are provided to generate ventilation to cool the wastewater flowing out of the bacteria culture modules. Each of the bacteria culture modules has a cage in which a plurality of culture woods are vertically received. Therefore, a temperature of the wastewater is reduced to form an environment which is good to the bacteria.

Abstract: A process for treating mine impacted water containing one or more reduced selenium species by an advanced oxidation process (AOP) including ozone and ultraviolet light, or ozone and hydrogen peroxide is disclosed. The process oxidizes the one or more reduced selenium species to selenate and thereby produces AOP treated water. Residual oxidants are removed from the AOP treated water.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for removing nitrogen and phosphorus from sewage by using sponge iron and activated sludge are disclosed herein. The apparatus comprises a raw tank, a pH adjusting tank, a primary SBR reactor, a secondary SBR reactor, an intermediate tank, and a discharge tank; by modification of sponge iron, preparation of composite filler, sludge inoculation and domestication, and sewage treatment, an effect of simultaneous denitrification and dephosphorization is achieved in one reactor using the combined action of sponge iron and activated sludge with high nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiency.

Abstract: The field of advanced wastewater treatment, and more specifically, to a natural pyrrhotite biofilter and a method for utilizing same to synchronously remove nitrate-nitrogen and phosphorus from water is provided. The method includes the following steps: (1) preparation of the packing material and construction of the biofilter; (2) start-up of the biofilter; (3) operation of the biofilter. The method disclosed in the present invention on the one hand takes pyrrhotite as the electron donor to help sulfur-based autotrophic denitrifying bacteria reduce nitrates into nitrogen gas, and on the other hand utilizes pyrrhotite and its oxidates to eliminate phosphorus through adsorption and chemical precipitation. Therefore, this method realizes synchronous removal of nitrate-nitrogen and phosphorus in water.

Abstract: An object is to provide a pretreatment device of seawater capable of growing and maintaining a biofilm in a good state on each of a plurality of filters connected in series, by supplying nutrients appropriately to the filters. A pretreatment device of seawater is used in removing salt from the seawater to obtain freshwater, and includes: a supply duct (21) through which the seawater is to be supplied; a plurality of filters (16) including a particulate filtering material and a biofilm; connecting tubes (23) which connect the plurality of filters in series; a plurality of bypass tubes (24) each of which connects corresponding one of the plurality of filters to the supply duct; and a plurality of regulating valves (26) each of which is disposed in corresponding one of the plurality of bypass tubes to regulate a flow rate.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for converting sequestered carbon to fuel, such as methane, and/or materials, such as fermentation substrates, biopolymers, bioplastics, oils, pigments, fibers, proteins, vitamins, fertilizers and animal feed. The apparatus comprises a deep well carbon-sequestering bioreactor coaxially located within a deep well anaerobic bioreactor. Carbon is sequestered into a photosynthetic biomass or a heterotrophic biomass, which is subsequently digested by an anaerobic biomass containing methanogenic microbes, whereby methane is a digestion product.

Abstract: An improved livestock wastewater treatment system for treating wastewater produced by a confined animal feeding operation (CAFO) facility to reclaim water and solids from the wastewater, and to reduce the environmental footprint of the CAFO facility is provided. The treatment system combines both mechanical and chemical water treating and includes separation of liquids from solids, collection of the separated solids at various stages, and treatment of the remaining liquid so that it can be reclaimed. Methods of treating livestock wastewater with the livestock wastewater treatment system is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a water inlet arrangement for the use in fish tanks in aquaculture, including a pipe to feed water into the tank, the pipe having a plurality of openings and, for a better adjustment of the flow, a surrounding second element having a plurality of openings and/or a fixed or adjustable shield are provided.

Abstract: Moving bed media serving as a growth surface for bacteria that remove soluble carbonaceous BOD, soluble inorganic ammonia nitrogen, phosphorous, nitrate nitrogen or nitrite nitrogen from wastewater are contained in a variable liquid depth, variable volume, hydraulic flow equalization basin. The equalization basin can be divided into different treatment sections by installing separator screens. Fat accumulation on the moving media, which could cause the media to float or in some other way cause the media to be ineffective, can be prevented by a fat, oil, and grease removal process in a dissolved air flotation cell upstream of the flow equalization basin containing the moving bed media. The moving bed media are retained in the basin by a suitable media screen as the liquid level and volume increases or decreases in the basin depending upon the effluent pumping rate vs. the influent flow rate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the biological purification of coking plant wastewater that is loaded with nitrogen compounds, cyanides, phenols and sulphides. The coking plant wastewater, for removal of pollutants that inhibit a nitrification, is fed together with a biomass-containing stream of matter to a detoxification reactor that has a gas-treatment zone and a reaction zone. The feed mixture supplied to the detoxification reactor is exposed in the gas-treatment zone to a gaseous oxidizing agent. A stream of matter enriched with the oxidizing agent is fed to the reaction zone in which cyanides and other pollutants inhibiting the nitrification are biodegraded. A stream of matter is withdrawn from the reaction zone and returned to the detoxification reactor. In addition, a wastewater stream from the detoxification reactor is separated by a membrane filtration into a biomass-containing retentate stream and a purified permeate stream.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing an organic compound. The method uses a metathesis catalyst in a coupling reaction of an olefin. The method comprises the steps of introducing the olefin into a container; either placing the container under vacuum or bubbling a gas through the olefin; adding an additive with the olefin; mixing the olefin and the additive, the mixing creating a mixture; adding an amount of the metathesis catalyst to the mixture, the amount being less than about 100 ppm by weight of the mixture; and optionally heating the mixture to a temperature, the temperature being greater than room temperature.

Abstract: Anaerobic treatment of water is performed under anaerobic conditions with a biofilm formed on a surface of a fluid non-biological carrier in a reaction vessel. Stable high-load treatment is performed by preventing the blockage of the reaction vessel caused by the flotation and adhesion of the non-biological carrier in the reaction vessel and effectively recovering the settleability of the carrier floating owing to adhering air bubbles by simple means. A reaction vessel is charged with a fluid non-biological carrier having a size in the range of 1.0 to 5.0 mm and a settling velocity in the range of 200 to 500 m/h. Part of the carrier that has floated and flowed out of the reaction vessel is fed downward through a pipe having a vertical height of 50 cm or more so as to remove air bubbles adhering to the carrier and is returned to the reaction vessel.

Abstract: An external filter for an aquarium includes a canister filter having a filter assembly removably oriented therein. The filter assembly includes at least two stacked trays releasably secured together in series. The stacked trays include a compartment for holding filter media. In one embodiment, the trays are releasably secured together with a strap. In one embodiment, the filter assembly also includes a handle. In one example, the strap forms a portion of the handle.

Abstract: Water treatment and remediation processes for hormones and/or endocrine disrupting chemicals are disclosed. A bioreactor apparatus is provided having hormone degrading microbes suitable for forming a biofilm for such remediation processes wherein the water containing the hormones and/or endocrine disrupting chemicals provide a substrate for the biofilm. Methods of regenerating the bioreactors and filters for water treatment are disclosed. Additional applications of use for the water treatment and remediation include, for example, agricultural applications and consumer applications. Methods of employing the bioreactors and filters, methods of regenerating the bioreactor, kits, and assays for specific hormones and/or endocrine disrupting chemicals are also disclosed.

Abstract: An artificial recharge system and method for recharging an aquifer. The artificial recharge system includes a constructed wetland, a settling pond, and a porous recharge reservoir. The constructed wetland receives water from a surface water source and has aquatic vegetation used to remove sediments and chemicals from the water. The settling pond receives the water from the constructed wetland and provides additional sediment removal. The porous recharge reservoir, which is hydraulically connected to the aquifer, receives the water from the settling pond. The water flows by gravity from the porous recharge reservoir to the aquifer. A backflush tube installed within a sand layer in the porous recharge reservoir is used to remove sediment and particulates from the sand layer.

Abstract: Introducing a high surface area media into a sewage treatment process to improve and increase capacity of a given process. The high surface area media can be dispersed at strategic locations in a new or existing attached growth wastewater treatment plant so as to provide additional sites for biological growth and improved wastewater renovation.

Abstract: A dual-chambered horizontal flow water treatment system and method provides a first chamber with a first filtration system connected with a second chamber with a second filtration system in a horizontal orientation, such that influent water first passes through the first chamber and then passes through the second chamber. The influent water moves through the first chamber and second chamber in a horizontal flow path to provide for pre-filtering with the first filtration system before traveling through granular media in the second filtration system.

Abstract: Constructed wetland wastewater treatment equipment under low temperature for continuous operation which includes: three-section substrates filled in a constructed wetland, ventilation pipes being arranged in the substrates, a height of a bed of the constructed wetland being higher than a height of the substrates; a double wall being filled with an organic substance used as a barrier at periphery of the constructed wetland; a water distributing pipe disposed at a top of the three-section substrates and a water collecting pipe disposed at a bottom of the three-section substrates; and a water inlet pipe connected to an upper portion at one end of the three-section substrates and a water outlet pipe connected to a lower portion at the other end of the three-section substrates, a water outlet of the water outlet pipe being higher than the height of the bed of the constructed wetland.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing an amount of unwanted living organisms within an algae cultivation fluid are provided herein. According to some embodiments, methods may include subjecting the algae cultivation fluid to an amount of cavitation, the amount of cavitation being defined by a pressure differential between a downstream pressure and a vapor pressure, the pressure differential divided by half of a product of a fluid density multiplied by a square of a velocity of an apparatus throat.

Abstract: A method of treating wastewater containing an organic compound includes feeding wastewater to an anoxic tank, adding compounds containing nitrogen and phosphorus components to wastewater, performing anaerobic treatment on wastewater, and discharging treated wastewater as pre-treated water; introducing pre-treated water into an anaerobic treatment tank, performing anaerobic treatment on pre-treated water, thereby decomposing the organic compound into organic compounds of smaller molecular size and a mixture gas containing methane and carbon dioxide, and discharging treated water as primary water; introducing primary water into an aerobic treatment tank, performing aerobic treatment on primary water, and discharging treated water through a solid-liquid separator as secondary water; and introducing at least a part of secondary water into a reverse osmosis membrane separation unit, and separating part of secondary water into RO permeated water and RO concentrated brine, wherein at least a part of RO concentrated

Abstract: The present invention is a wastewater treatment system utilizing a recirculating filter system comprising sand, gravel, or synthetic media. Septic effluent is continuously, or approximately continuously, dosed under pressure to the treatment media through pressure compensating drip irrigation emitters. The system comprises a commonly known septic tank and recirculation tank. Septic tank effluent is collected in the recirculation tank, from which it is continually dosed by means of a pump to the top of the treatment media of the recirculating filter through pressure compensating drip emitters. Continuous dosing of diluted residential septic tank effluent through drip irrigation emitters provides a slow consistent application of liquid rich in organic material and pathogens over the treatment media. The treated effluent is then recirculated if water is low or went to final disposal.

Abstract: A process and system for treating wastewater is described. The invention degrades sludge produced by treatment of the wastewater to reduce or eliminate the need for sludge dewatering and disposal. The invention also reduces the amount of nutrient additives required to sustain the aerobic wastewater treatment process. In one embodiment the invention includes the steps of (a) providing an aerobic treatment system receiving a supply of the wastewater; (b) treating a supply of the sludge to rupture microbial cells present therein to produce treated sludge having an increased liquid:solid ratio and an increased degradation potential in comparison to untreated sludge; (c) conveying a supply of the treated sludge to the aerobic treatment system; and (d) substantially degrading the supply of treated sludge in the aerobic treatment system. The treated sludge may optionally be subjected to anaerobic digestion prior to delivery to the aerobic treatment system.

Abstract: A system of treating high nitrogen content waste water is disclosed, where the system includes a precipitation and conditioning subsystem, an ammonia stripper subsystem, and a denitrification subsystem. The system is adapted to reduce nitrogen contamination to level below about 10 ppm and in certain embodiments below 3 ppm.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a wastewater treatment system may reduce contaminants in water. A system may include one or more bioreactors which include a substrate that supports a biofilm. The bacteria used to form the biofilm may be selected to maximize the reduction of contaminants in water. Various components of the wastewater treatment system may be optimized to improve the efficiency and energy consumption of the wastewater system.

Abstract: A facility and a method for treating high strength wastewater include a plurality of beds having layers of granular and textile material through which the wastewater flows for reduction of BOD and COD. The wastewater is conducted to and from the beds using piping networks. Distribution conduits and drain conduits are arranged within the bed. Wastewater flow is controlled by valves remotely actuated via a control system.

Abstract: A circular utilization method in pulping and papermaking processes with straw Primary pulp is obtained by digesting straw raw material according to the ammonium sulfite method. Concentrated black liquor is extruded from the primary pulp; paper pulp and diluted black liquor. The concentrated black liquor and the diluted black liquor are mixed, and a contaminated condensate is obtained. A residual concentrate or the concentrated black liquor is used for preparing a fertilizer. The contaminated condensate is mixed with one or more of the waste material obtained from stock preparation, a crop byproduct or organic waste, and substrate or fertilizer is obtained by fermenting the nitrogen source of the contaminated condensate or ammonium sulfite, or using the contaminated condensate for desulfurizing flue gas. Ammonia and flue gas are reacted to obtain the ammonium sulfite as a digestion agent; and water from recycling is used in corresponding phases of the pulping process.

Abstract: A horizontal flow water treatment method and wetland biofilter apparatus provides a chamber with impermeable outer walls spaced away from permeable interior walls of a media filtration bed such that a catch basin is formed between the outer walls and the interior walls. The catch basin creates an open area around the perimeter of the interior walls for influent water to fill within the open area on all sides before penetrating the filtration media, providing a large surface area for influent water to interact with the media filtration bed. The influent water enters the catch basin in a horizontal flow path to provide for pre-settling of particulates before making contact with the filtration media. The biofilter design increases the available surface area of the media filtration bed by up to four times for a given volume of water, and thereby minimizes the loading or infiltration rate on the media filtration bed.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for removal of undesirable substances from a body of liquid. The system can include an aeration structure having a continuously inclined surface configured to provide an interaction of air bubbles against substantially an entire length of the continuously inclined surface while the air bubbles are moving toward a top of the body of liquid. The continuously inclined surface can be substantially submerged in the body of liquid. A bio-film of diverse bacteria colonies is disposed on the continuously inclined surface, and a high surface area-to-volume structure is located in proximity to the aeration structure, upon which a bio-film of bacteria colonies can be formed.

Abstract: A three stage, multiple phase anaerobic digestion system and method designed to separate the biological phases, optimize microbial activity in each phase, and significantly increase system reliability and energy production. The system physically separates the biological phases of anaerobic digestion based on particle size, particle density, and solubility of metabolic products. The system allows a complex multi-phased biological system to develop without the need for excessive control or operator intervention.

Abstract: An anoxic packed-bed biological and chemical system for removing nitrates/perchlorate from water includes a vessel having a distribution plate that partitions the vessel into a lower influent-receiving chamber and an upper biological and chemical denitrification chamber. A granular media is supported by the distribution plate to provide a packed bed that has sites for biological growth. A recycle system recycles partially treated water into the closed lower end of the vessel for upflow through the distribution plate.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and a method for river water purification using a treatment soil layer and a permeable filtering medium layer. The river water purification apparatus includes a treatment soil layer and a permeable filtering medium layer which are sequentially and alternately stacked. The treatment soil layer includes a plurality of unit soil layers which are arranged at intervals. A reservoir part which stores a predetermined amount of river water and supplies the river water to an inside of the unit soil layer is provided in an upper end part of the unit soil layer. The permeable filtering medium layer has a higher hydraulic conductivity than that of the treatment soil layer. The river water purification apparatus increases a treatment flux of river water regardless of a coefficient of water permeability of soil and effectively removes nitrogen, phosphorus and nutrient salts by stably forming an anaerobic condition.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment method using annularly arranged microorganism carriers in a reaction tank, which defines therein an upper reaction area, a lower reaction area and a passage area surrounded by the microorganism carriers and kept in communication between the upper reaction area and the lower reaction area. Microorganisms including nitrifying bacteria and autotrophic denitrifying bacteria are attached to the surface of each microorganisms carriers and suspending in the water of the reaction tank for causing Anammox reaction to convert NH4+ and NO2? in wastewater into nitrogen gas, achieving removal of total nitrogen compounds from water. The microorganism carriers are used to retain microorganisms in the reaction tank, enhancing the treatment efficiency.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a wastewater treatment system may reduce contaminants in water. A system may include one or more bioreactors which include a substrate that supports a biofilm. The bacteria used to form the biofilm may be selected to maximize the reduction of contaminants in water. Various components of the wastewater treatment system may be optimized to improve the efficiency and energy consumption of the wastewater system.

Abstract: An integrated sewage biochemical treatment plant containing mechanical treatment devices, a sewage-and-sludge mixing chamber with a circulation pump and a combined biological treatment device, includes a plane feed biofilter, a spray line, collecting trays and drain collectors connected to water-jet aeratic columns sunk in the aeration zones, and aftertreatment devices. The combined biological treatment device whose capacity is 5 to 15,000 m3/day has a biofilters spray line that includes trays with emptying fittings and reflecting disks, the distance from the trays emptying fittings upper ends to the disk reflectors is 0.8 to 2 m, and the distance between the trays centers and the distance between the trays fittings axes is 0.6 to 1.8 m.

Abstract: In a sewage disposal system, a de-nitrification station is configured as a heap of foam cubes located in an airtight enclosure from which oxygen is excluded. Carbon is added to the incoming nitrified water. The heap of foam cubes is arranged as a free-draining trickle filter, but here under asphyxiant conditions in the enclosure. Anaerobic microbiological reactions reduce the nitrate to nitrogen gas. Effluent from the de-nitrifier is polished by feeding back a fraction of the effluent through the aeration station from which the nitrate water is derived, or a separate polishing station can be provided.

Abstract: Recalcitrant chemical oxygen demand (COD) of a liquid is reduced in a water treatment system. The method includes pretreating the liquid in a pretreatment unit to remove indigenous bacteria or microbes to a population level below which the indigenous organisms can interfere with the screened and externally introduced microorganisms. The liquid is then provided to a reactor that has a filter bed formed with a carrier material. Special microbes are screened and used to colonize the carrier material to remove recalcitrant COD. A biofilm is cultured on the surface of the carrier material to immobilize the screened microbes in the reactor. The method further includes percolating the liquid from the pretreatment unit through the filter bed colonized with the screened microbes to degrade at least part of the recalcitrant COD under aerobic conditions.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment apparatus of the present invention is configured to biologically filter wastewater through multimedia by consecutively performing two stages (the first and second stages) for a multimedia biological filtration process. A carbon source and coagulant are respectively injected during the first and second multimedia biological filtration processes. The first stage multimedia biological filtration process is carried out in anoxic conditions and the second stage multimedia biological filtration process is carried out in aerobic conditions. The media for the first and second stage biological filtration processes are arranged in large-middle-middle large-small size. Thus, the present invention can secure excellent treated water while minimizing loss of water-head by maximizing reflux capability of solids.

Abstract: A desalination system (100) having an intake unit (110) providing seawater to a pre-treatment unit (120) connected to a reverse osmosis (RO) desalination unit (130) and a post treatment unit (150). The desalination system (100) is configured to operate without any external addition of chemicals to simplify logistics and regulation concerns. The units of the system are configured to prevent biofouling, scaling and corrosion by mechanical and biological means including high flow speeds, biological flocculation of colloids, and making the water entering the RO units inhospitable to bacteria and other organisms that cause biofouling, hence preventing their settlement and removing them with the brine. Recovery rate is lowered and energy is recovered to increase the energetic efficiency and minerals that are added to the product water are taken from the brine.

Abstract: A biofilter is provided. The biofilter comprises a housing; an inlet defining an upstream end of the housing; an outlet defining a downstream end of the housing; a chamber comprising an upstream opening and a downstream opening, the chamber configured to contain a filtration medium; and a counter flow generator for generating a counter flow of water in an upstream direction in the chamber. Related methods and systems are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a bioretention system comprising one or more chambers and a high flow bypass system with top and bottom weirs for water filtration and storm water flow management. The invention also provides methods that are useful for managing storm water flow and inhibiting the flow of pollutants, debris, and other contaminants into drainage systems.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system includes wastewater having nitrogen-containing compounds, an anoxic zone having denitrifying bacteria, and an aerobic zone having nitrifying bacteria. The anoxic zone is coupled to the aerobic zone, and wastewater flows from the anoxic to the aerobic zone or vice versa. A fluidized bed heat exchanger configured to accept heat from a heat engine and to transfer the heat from the heat engine to the wastewater is positioned in the aerobic zone or the anoxic zone. The fluidized bed heat exchanger includes particulate media, and fluidization of the particulate media scrubs bacterial growth from portions of the fluidized bed heat exchanger. Treating wastewater can include flowing wastewater having nitrogen-containing compounds into a biological reactor having an anoxic zone and an aerobic zone, and heating the wastewater with heat from a heat engine to facilitate denitrification reactions in the anoxic zone and nitrification reactions in the aerobic zone.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and process integrating the chemical-free oxidation of a photocatalytic decontamination process with a biological decontamination system to eliminate the THM and HAA precursors in drinking water. In one embodiment, a system may comprise a source providing fluid media contaminated with toxic natural organic matter, and a photocatalytic decontamination subsystem configured to oxidize the toxic natural organic matter via a photocatalytic process into non-toxic natural organic matter having a molecular weight low enough for biodegrading said non-toxic matter. The system may include a biological decontamination subsystem configured to immediately receive the contaminated fluid output from the photocatalytic decontamination subsystem, and employing a biological agent to biologically degrade the low-molecular weight non-toxic natural organic matter in the contaminated fluid to a concentration sufficient to prevent the formation of trihalomethanes or haloacetic acids.

Abstract: A method of prevention of acid rock drainage excludes oxygen from waste rocks that contain ferrous sulfides by building an oxygen bio-barrier over exposed surfaces of the waste rock. The bio-barrier may be formed by applying a slurry to the rock. The slurry may contain several components such as microbial material, one or more nutrients, water or another fluid, and optionally water-absorbent material. The microbial material may include bacteria, algae, fungi or a combination thereof. Additionally, the slurry may contain one or more acid-neutralizing compounds, one or more cellulose-containing substances, and one or more UV protecting agents.