Abstract: Improved systems and methods for removing the load of perchlorate and other oxyanions off of ion exchange resins through bioregeneration are disclosed. The improved systems and methods rely upon direct contact between the resin and a liquid product containing enrichment cultures of or pure strains of perchlorate-destroying microorganisms. Controlled temperatures also lead to improvements as do upflow conditions leading to bed expansion. These methods can be incorporated into methods for removing perchlorate from aqueous streams.

Abstract: The present invention includes a portable Sub-Surface Flow Constructed Wetlands system for removing pollutants from a body of water. The portable wetlands system includes a sealed container having pipes for the inflow and outlet of the water. The system also includes a high surface area substrate located in a lower portion of the container and a heavier substrate and at least one emergent aquatic plant located in an upper portion of the container. The container of the system may be mounted on a trailer and the entire system may be light enough to be capable of being towed by a normal mid-sized pickup truck. The present invention also contemplates a method for removing pollutants from water using such a portable wetlands system. The water to be treated is flowed through the portable wetlands system in order to remove pollutants. The present invention further contemplates a method for constructing such a portable wetlands system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the anaerobic treatment of waste water is described which includes a plug flow bioreactor containing a single bed of inert microbial attachment media and anaerobic microorganisms, and having at least one baffle member which forms a first zone and at least one second zone above the bed of inert microbial attachment media within the plug flow bioreactor.

Abstract: A biological system for removing selenium from waste water comprises a first immobilized cell bioreactor (ICB) and a selenide removal module. The first ICB comprises a chamber having a substrate housed therein and situated to contact the waste water flowing therethrough during use. Anaerobic microorganisms are supported on the substrate, and comprise selenium respiring bacteria capable of reducing selenates and selenites to insoluble elemental selenium and/or sulfate reducing bacteria capable of reducing selenates and selenites to insoluble elemental selenium or to soluble selenides. The selenide removal module includes metallic or oxidized iron compounds capable of chemically reacting with selenide or sulfide compounds in the waste water to form iron selenide or iron sulfide precipitates.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system includes a tidal, sequential vertical flow marsh cell system having at least three marsh cells in serial forward fluid communication. Incoming wastewater to be treated is channeled to at least the first and a second marsh cell, and a portion of water exiting a final marsh cell, to the first marsh cell surface. Each marsh cell is alternately flooded and drained for enhancing aeration of incoming water and marsh cell contents, which include media and plant roots having biofilms growing thereon, the biofilms including a population of nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria, for achieving substantially simultaneous nitrification and denitrification of the wastewater.

Abstract: The biofilter is used for the purification of a waste liquid using layers of filtering material, wherein the waste liquid moves downwardly by gravity while an O2-containing gas moves upwardly therein. The biofilter comprises a gas collector to capture at least a portion of the gas moving upwardly therein to mitigate the problem of biofilter clogging due to a microbial seal at the surface of the uppermost filtering layer.

Abstract: A system for treating liquids by forming bacteria flora using earthworm humus is disclosed. In some embodiments, the system includes a containment tank for receiving a contaminated liquid distributed through an opening into the tank, the containment tank further including a layer of earthworm humus through which the liquid is filtered, a medium layer for bacteria inoculation below the earthworm humus layer in the containment tank, and an inert layer below the medium layer proximate to the base of the containment tank.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment process integrates a tidal nitration system with a wastewater treatment lagoon. Raw effluent enters a lagoon having a persistent anoxic or anaerobic state and a long residence time to permit suspended solids to settle to the bottom, forming a blanket of sludge. Water above the sludge blanket is comparatively clearer than raw influent. Discharge from the clear water zone contains organic carbon, organic nitrogen, ammonia, and other nutrients. In the lagoon, complex carbohydrates and fats are broken down into simpler organic compounds by bacterial action, a substantial portion transformed to carbon dioxide by bacterial respiration, reducing BOD. Organic forms of nitrogen are transformed into ammonium ions by bacterial action. Adjacent to the lagoon is a sump that takes water from the clear zone to a tidal cell, and recycles water from the clear zone into the tidal cell, which then discharges back into the lagoon.

Abstract: The disclosed methods and systems of water purification relate to burying an underdrain in situ under a filter media bed such as a particulate material bed, within a natural body of water. A pump is provided for withdrawing water from the underdrain at a sufficient rate to cause a complex biological matrix filter to proliferate on top of the filter media bed forming a portion of the floor of the body of the water. The filter media bed is positioned at a depth d of water between the water body surface and the water body floor so that the upper surface of the particulate material bed remains substantially undisturbed by wave motion or tidal action at the surface of the body of water to facilitate the proliferation of the biological matrix filter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the collection of alkalophilic/alkaline-tolerant microbes and use of said microbes in water glass wastewater treatment. The wastewater is treated directly with alkalophilic/alkaline-tolerant microbes cultured on granular activated carbon without any prior pH adjustment. Subsequently, water glass is separated from the biotreated water by lowering its pH. Alternatively, water glass is separated from biotreated water by distilling the water as water and water glass have different boiling points.

Abstract: A multistage activated sludge process involving a predation effect caused by microorganisms realizes further improvement in treatment efficiency and further decrease in the amount of excess sludge generated while a stable quality of the treated water is maintained. This process includes a first biological treatment process for treating BOD in organic wastewater at a high load to convert the BOD to dispersed bacteria, and a second biological treatment process for forming the converted dispersed bacteria into a floc and allowing microorganisms to coexist. The second biological treatment process is performed under a condition of pH 5 to 6.

Abstract: A method and a plant to remove metals by biosorption from mining or industrial effluents comprising: (a) subject the effluent to at least one first stage of pre-treatment, selecting among: precipitation by pH rising, solvent extraction or solvent extraction on emulsified membranes in order to reduce its load of metals to a concentration level that allows it to be treated by the next stage of biosorption, and (b) subject the liquid that has been previously in the stage of pre-treatment to a second stage of continuous metals removal by biosorption.

Abstract: A method for concentrating and eliminating radionuclides from water from in nuclear pools based on the capacity of microorganisms when they are growing to retain radionuclides by forming biofilms on the colonized surfaces. The method of the invention utilizes the colonization of microorganisms in the water for the bioremediation. Preferably the bioremediation is performed before the water is passed through demineralizing filters to prolong the life of such filters. As a result, there is less radioactive waste to be managed, thereby increasing the profitability of the method.

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 covered anaerobic reactor, and then to an attached growth pretreatment filter that is at least intermittently exposed to atmospheric oxygen. Following the filter is a hydroponic reactor followed by a vertical-flow wetland. A second embodiment includes, following the filter, a tidal vertical-flow wetland and a pump for recycling water exiting the wetland upstream of the filter.

Abstract: A wastewater treating system includes: a vessel defining a vessel space therein, the vessel space being partitioned into an activated sludge zone that is adapted to receive waste water and a body of an activated sludge therein, and a coarse filtering zone that is disposed downstream of and that is in fluid communication with the activated sludge zone for receiving bio-treated wastewater from the activated sludge zone; and a bed of biomass carriers colonized with microorganisms and disposed in the coarse filtering zone for further bio-treating the bio-treated wastewater from the activated sludge zone and for separating coarse suspended solids from the bio-treated wastewater in the coarse filtering zone.

Abstract: The present invention may be used for treatment of waste streams using domestic wastewater. A concentrate waste stream containing one or more of perchlorate, nitrate, bromate, selenate and chromate may be combined with a domestic wastewater stream. The concentrate waste stream may have not less than 3000 mg/l of total dissolved solids. The concentrate waste stream and domestic wastewater stream may be combined at a ratio of between 20% volumetric flow rate and 75% volumetric flow rate to produce a blended stream. The blended stream may be processed in a bioreactor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for supplying oxygen to a water purification process, said method comprising providing an oxygen carrier of at least one copolymer of dimethylsiloxane, ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, adding said oxygen carrier to the water purifying process, and contacting said oxygen carrier with an oxygen containing gas. The invention further relates to the use of at least one copolymer of dimethylsiloxane, ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, as an oxygen carrier in a water purification process.

Abstract: A Modular Wastewater Treatment System is disclosed suitable for municipal, domestic and commercial sewage. After separation of the settable solids of the wastewater in the collection system or septic tank or other means the effluent is passed by gravity to the Alternating Nitrification Enhance Reactor where nitrification and de-nitrification process occurs as well as BOD sub.5 and TSS reduction by the participation of a facultative colony. Dosing, recirculation and discharge systems are linked in the alternating and intermittent cycles and facultative process with a gravel media bed to remove the remaining BOD sub.5, TSS and fecal coliform counts of the effluent. The overall system save footprint and it is fully automatic.

Abstract: A method for treating wastewater. The method comprises: providing a first dose of air to aerate a medium bed; supplying a dose of wastewater to the aerated medium bed; allowing nitrification of the wastewater to occur; allowing denitrification to occur; and providing a subsequent dose of air to the medium bed. A combined aerobic and anaerobic treatment apparatus. The apparatus comprises: a medium bed; a wastewater conduit in fluid communication with the medium bed; an air conduit in fluid communication with the medium bed; and where the combined aerobic and anaerobic treatment apparatus is configured to first allow a dose of wastewater in the medium bed to undergo a nitrification process which is generally aerobic, and then second allow the dose of wastewater in the medium bed to undergo a denitrification process which is generally anaerobic. An apparatus for treating wastewater.

Abstract: A biological system for removing selenium from waste water comprises a first immobilized cell bioreactor (ICB) and a selenide removal module. The first ICB comprises a chamber having a substrate housed therein and situated to contact the waste water flowing therethrough during use. Anaerobic microorganisms are supported on the substrate, and comprise selenium respiring bacteria capable of reducing selenates and selenites to insoluble elemental selenium and/or sulfate reducing bacteria capable of reducing selenates and selenites to insoluble elemental selenium or to soluble selenides. The selenide removal module includes metallic or oxidized iron compounds capable of chemically reacting with selenide or sulfide compounds in the waste water to form iron selenide or iron sulfide precipitates.

Abstract: Arrangement for separating suspension, in particular for treatment of wastewater. A flocculating suspension is separated from the liquid by filtration in a fluidized layer in a sludge blanket, wherein the flocks are created from the separated suspension and fluidization is maintained by the rising stream of liquid while liquid with suspension enters the fluidized layer from the bottom and the liquid freed from suspension is discharged above the surface of the sludge blanket represented by the interface between the fluidized layer and the liquid without suspension. Thickened separated suspension in the form of flocks from a sludge blanket is withdrawn from a zone of the fluidized layer the velocity of upward flow in the fluidized layer decreasing in the upward direction.

Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide a biomembrane filtration apparatus which can treat a nitrate nitrogen and nitrite nitrogen in an anaerobic state to stably remove them together with SS with efficiency and, simultaneously, can biologically remove the residual hydrogen donor as well remaining in the water to be treated in one and the same biomembrane filtration apparatus by a fixed bed biomembrane filtration method and a method therefore. As the means to achieve such an object, one embodiment of the present invention provides a biomembrane filtration apparatus having a packed layer packed with a particulate packing material to which microorganisms are to attach; an inlet for a liquid to be treated arranged above the packed layer to feed the liquid to be treated; and a gas feed opening arranged under the packed layer to feed a substantially oxygen-free gas or a gas containing trace amounts of oxygen.

Abstract: A waste treatment system suitable for domestic use and capable of producing water suitable for recycling within the household. The system includes a bioreactor (30) and a decomposition chamber (16). The bioreactor (30) is adapted to digest liquid-base waste material using bacteria and is operable under anaerobic, anoxic and/or aerobic conditions. The decomposition chamber (16) decomposes substantially solid waste generated in the bioreactor. The bioreactor and decomposition chamber are in fluid communication such that substantially solid waste material generated in the bioreactor can be transferred to the decomposition chamber for further treatment. Resulting solids may optionally be forwarded to a vegetation cell (24) and the liquid (34) leaving the bioreactor may be optionally passed to a membrane treatment unit (40) and a disinfection unit (50).

Abstract: The present invention may be used in methods for treatment of drinking water contaminated with algal metabolites. An inflow of water in a drinking water treatment facility may have multiple types of algal metabolites wherein each algal metabolites has a concentration of less than 20 ?g/l. The water may contain indigenous bacteria that may serve as a bioreactor inoculum. The water may be dosed with a biodegradable electron donor at a concentration of less than 7 mg/l to form water, electron donor solution. The water, electron donor solution may be processed through a fixed-bed bioreactor for an empty bed bioreactor contact time of less than 30 minutes. An effluent of the fixed-bed bioreactor may have an algal metabolite concentration for each algal metabolite of less than 10 ng/l.

Abstract: A bioremediation system using inorganic oxide-reducing microbial consortia for the treatment of, inter alia coal mine and coal yard runoff uses a containment vessel for contaminated water and a second, floating phase for nutrients. Biodegradable oils are preferred nutrients.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the treatment of waste water comprising an organic nutrient. According to the invention, the waste water is in a first step fed to sludge granules, after the supply of the waste water to be treated the sludge granules are fluidised in the presence of an oxygen-comprising gas, and in a third step, the sludge granules are allowed to settle in a settling step. This makes it possible to effectively remove not only organic nutrients but optionally also nitrogen compounds and phosphate.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for treating an organic liquid waste with a biofilm, the organic liquid waste is dissolved with oxygen under a first pressure higher than an atmospheric pressure to prepare a pressurized oxygen-dissolved organic liquid waste. The pressurized oxygen-dissolved organic liquid waste is depressurized to prepare a depressurized oxygen-dissolved organic liquid waste. The depressurized oxygen-dissolved organic liquid waste contacts the biofilm to prepare a treated organic liquid waste.

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: A system, method and apparatus for treating wastewater containing biodegradable material wherein a submerged stand alone perforated cylinder reactor pod containing aerobic bacterial growth media and a draft tube with air pressure induced pumping action creates a spray or splash pattern so as to recirculated aerated liquor through the media and also to the area surrounding the cylinder pod. Free interchange of mixed and unmixed liquor is provided via the perforations in the cylindrical pod wall. Provision is also made for back flushing the media and returning mixed liquor to an area remote from the reactor pod.

Abstract: The invention relates to agents for the removal or reduction of inorganic nitrogen compounds, especially nitrate, from biological aquarium waters, containing a biologically degradable polymer, preferably polycaprolactone (PCL) and to the utilization of said agents.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling water flow in a wastewater treatment plant is provided. The method comprises the steps of providing a trickling filter effluent water basin having filter media provided over a storage space for water. Water outlet flow from the basin is controlled via a flow weir or other suitable structure, thereby enabling the trickling filter effluent water basin to fill with water and store water when desired. Such storage is particularly useful during wet weather and/or overflow events. A trickling filter effluent basin modified so as to accommodate water storage and methods of modifying existing trickling filter effluent basins are also provided.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system includes a tidal, sequential vertical flow marsh cell system having at least three marsh cells in serial forward fluid communication. Incoming wastewater to be treated is channeled to at least the first and a second marsh cell, and a portion of water exiting a final marsh cell, to the first marsh cell surface. Each marsh cell is alternately flooded and drained for enhancing aeration of incoming water and marsh cell contents, which include media and plant roots having biofilms growing thereon, the biofilms including a population of nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria, for achieving substantially simultaneous nitrification and denitrification of the wastewater.

Abstract: The present invention provides a porous vessel bioreactor apparatus for use in reaction with immobilized enzymes and/or microbial cells, said apparatus consisting of a vertically elongated reaction vessel having at least one liquid reactant inlet; at least one product outlet on the vessel; at least one porous vessel completely submerged in the reactant, said porous vessel having pore size ranging from 5 mm to 0.2 microns and a vertical length less than a level of the reactants to be maintained in the vessel, and immobilized bio-catalyst particles comprising the enzymes and/or microbial cells placed inside the porous vessel such that the liquid reactant is in contact with the bio-catalyst in both radial and axial directions.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a filter media tower assembly is provided comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is suspended within the second portion. The first portion is a removable media tower or cage for holding filter media, whereas the second portion is a media tower guide support structure that is mounted to a surface of a tank. In a second embodiment, a load cell or a weighing assembly is disposed above the removable media tower. The deployment of this weighing mechanism above the removable media tower provides constant monitoring of biomass build-up on the filter media.

Abstract: A process for the production of highly purified water 44 from Fischer-Tropsch reaction water 12 includes distillation 14 as a primary treatment stage, biological treatment including anaerobic digestion 20 and aerobic digestion 22 as a secondary treatment stage, solid-liquid separation 32 as a tertiary treatment stage and a dissolved salt and organic removal stage 40 as final treatment stage.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system includes a septic tank having a discharge in flow communication with one or more biofilter containers having filter media therein. Wastewater or effluent from the septic tank is allowed to contact the filter media and each container includes an outlet for discharging the wastewater to the environment or transferred to other treatment facilities.

Abstract: A Catalytic Bioconversion (CB) process using kenaf core powder is used to promote an environmentally friendly method to biologically treat the petroleum contaminants in these wastes and waste waters while simultaneously producing a high energy solid fuel. The new process has very low capital and operating costs, treats and converts hazardous waste to non-hazardous waste, and can produce a viable solid fuel product instead of a waste. Typically, these petroleum-contaminated waste/wastewaters undergo some type of hydrocarbon separation and recovery via phase separation using heat and chemical treatment in storage tanks. The objective is to recover as much “good” hydrocarbon as possible and recycle it back to the production process. The material that is not recoverable, an emulsion of oil, water, and solids must be further processed and eventually discarded.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for treating wastewater from a sewer system including the steps of: (A) removing solids contained in the influent to create solids-depleted preliminary effluent (PrE) and to protect downstream systems from premature failure due to wear from solid particles; (B) removing suspended solids from the PrE to produce a suspended solids-depleted primary effluent (PE); (C) treating the PE biologically by exposing it to bacteria-supporting media that removes soluble organic material, thereby creating trickling filter effluent (TFE); (D) separating the bacterial organisms by settling to create a secondary effluent (SE); (E) subjecting the SE to tertiary treatment including granular activated carbon pressure filters to remove PCB's and other compounds and create a carbon filter effluent; (F) disinfecting the CFE to create a final effluent (FE); and (G) discharging the FE to a receiving environment, separately settling and disposing the backwash solids in a backwash clarifier.

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 process for the production of purified water from Fischer-Tropsch reaction water wherein the purified water is an aqueous stream having a COD of between 20 and 500 mg/l, a pH of between 6.0 and 9.

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 process and system for enhanced nitrogen removal in a wastewater treatment facility comprises a constructed wetlands and a recirculating sand filter. The effluent from the constructed wetlands passes through the recirculating sand filter to facilitate ammonia conversion to nitrates. A portion of the wastewater is recycled from the recirculating sand filter to the constructed wetlands to provide for anaerobic denitrification of the wastewater in a nutrient rich environment.

Abstract: A process for treating a body of water in which a bioreactor and a water eductor are located in a body of water such that the eductor is submerged beneath the body of water to a depth of at least about 3 feet. The water eductor produces a water flow at a rate of at least about 60 feet per minute; the water flow is substantially parallel to the surface of the body of water. Water is also passed through a bioreactor that contains a plurality of bio-suspension elements within an enclosure located above a screen in the enclosure.

Abstract: A biofilter material for biofiltering a fluid is disclosed. This biofilter material comprises fragments of coconut mesocarp. A wastewater treatment system is also disclosed and comprises a filter bed and a water distribution system. The filter bed comprises fragments of coconut mesocarp as a biofilter material.

Abstract: A filter system for use with an aquarium includes a housing having a pre-filter chamber, a biological chamber, and a sump. A protein skimmer receives water flowing from the pre-filter chamber and returns the water to the pre-filter chamber, such that a portion of the water flows through the protein skimmer several times before being returned to the aquarium. The biological chamber has a drip drawer holder having drip drawers for holding filter media pads and dispersing water substantially evenly over biological media in the biological chamber.

Abstract: A method of separating suspension, in particular for treatment of waste water, wherein the flocculating suspension is separated from the liquid by filtration in a fluidized layer in a sludge blanket wherein the flocks are created from the separated suspension and the fluidization is maintained by the rising stream of liquid, while the liquid with suspension enters the fluidized layer from the bottom and the liquid freed from suspension is discharged above the surface of the sludge blanket represented by the interface between the fluidized layer and the liquid without suspension. The thickened separated suspension in form of flocks from a sludge blanket is withdrawn from the zone of the fluidized layer, the velocity of upward flow in the fluidized layer essentially decreasing in the upward direction.

Abstract: A compact, ground surface mounted wastewater treatment unit module. The module is surface mounted on a selected substrate such as a scarified native soil. A watertight receiving basin is located on the substrate. The basin is at least partially filled with a lower layer of packing media, suitable for support of biological growth, and then with at least a first and a final layer of a porous granular media. A standpipe introduces wastewater to be treated, and such wastewater is distributed to the packing at the lower reaches of the basin. The wastewater flows up through the packing, and into the first layer of a porous granular media, and thence upwardly and outwardly via capillary action and molecular attraction, and ultimately though the final porous granular media. Treated wastewater is either collected or absorbed in an absorption foot interface between the final medium and the native earth below.

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 present invention describes novel biological methods for efficiently reducing nitrate levels and otherwise conditioning aquarium water and water in similar environments.

Abstract: A biologically active reactor system for the treatment of wastewater comprises one or more submerged denitrification reactors having coarse media particles and a fixed biological film comprising biologically anoxic active microorganisms. One or more submerged aerated filters are in fluid communication with the one or more submerged denitrification reactor, the submerged aerated filter comprising coarse media particles and a fixed biological film comprising biologically aerobic microorganisms for oxidation of organic matter. One or more deep bed denitrification filters for removal of suspended solids and denitrification of oxidized nitrogens are in fluid communication with the one or more submerged aerated filters, the deep bed denitrification filter comprising fine media particles of less than 6 mm. Effluent from the submerged aerated filter is recycled to the submerged denitrification reactor for pre-denitrification prior to being piped to the deep bed denitrification filter.