Abstract: The biological process is for treating wastewater in order to remove the phosphorus therefrom and thus obtain clarified water. The process is using two sequencing batch reactors (SBR) in series filled with a sludge-mixed liquor. The process consists of: continuously feeding wastewater into the first (SBR) operating under anaerobic conditions for equalization and anaerobic treatment by controlling in-time any fermentation reaction occurring therein in order to produce an acidogenesis fermenting phase of organic materials and prevent the methanogenesis phase. Then, the fermented wastewater from the first SBR is rapidly transferred by batch into the second SBR. In the second SBR, the wastewater is first anaerobically treated to store a maximum amount of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in the phosphorus removal biomass.

Abstract: A process and a system for the purification of waste water in several successive stages includes a first stage for anaerobic treatment of the waste water, a second stage for aerobic treatment of the waste water, a third stage for clarification and sedimentation of the waste water with a sludge return, and an arrangement for controlling the residence time of the waste water in the anaerobic stage by varying the volume of the anaerobic stage.

Abstract: The present invention entails a method and system for enhancing biological nitrification in a wastewater treatment process. The process entails both a mainstream wastewater process and a sidestream process wherein the sidestream process produces an abundant supply of supplemental nitrifiers that are in turn directed into the mainstream for assisting in carrying out the nitrification process in the mainstream. Specifically, the sidestream process includes directing a liquid stream (such as a dewatering liquid) having a high ammonia concentration at an elevated temperature into a sidestream nitrification zone which is operated at conditions which maximize production of nitrifiers therein. Afterwards, the resulting nitrifiers produced in the sidestream nitrification zone are directed into the mainstream where the nitrifiers function to enhance nitrification in the mainstream and allows operation at low sludge retention time conditions where nitrification otherwise could not be sustained.

Abstract: An on-site waste water treatment system is disclosed suitable for domestic or other sewage. After the initial separation of the gravity settleable solids in a treatment tank, the effluent is conveyed to a recirculation/dosing tank. The recirculation/dosing tank has three level indicators which transmit information to the system controller. The low level indicator provides enough waste water to dose a media bed and dilute effluent from the treatment tank. While the low level indicator is activated, the waste water will circulate through a disc filter to a recirculating media bed. From the media bed, the effluent is returned to the recirculation/dosing tank, the waste water flows from the treatment tank to the recirculation/dosing tank and activates the second level indicator, enabling the system to pass the combined effluent through a disc filter to a final disposal field.

Abstract: A method for the step-wise reduction of biological oxygen demand of a waste material having a high concentration of organic waste is provided. The method comprises the steps of providing waste material having a biological oxygen demand and allowing the waste material to separate into a liquid fraction comprising water and suspended organic waste, and allowing at least a portion of the organic waste to be anaerobically digested by microorganisms naturally occurring in the organic waste. Next, at least a portion of the liquid fraction having a reduced biological oxygen demand in relation to the biological oxygen demand of the waste material is removed and mixed with aerobic microorganisms and an aerating gas and allowing at least a portion of the organic waste in the aerobic mixture to be aerobically digested by the aerobic microorganisms to form a liquor comprising water and suspended solids. The liquor has a reduced biological oxygen demand relative to the biological oxygen demand of the liquid fraction.

Abstract: Control of a water/wastewater treatment system is effected by sensing the oxidation reduction potential (ORP) at various parts of the system and using neuro-adaptive process control techniques to make adjustments when necessary based on the ORP values. Internal nitrate recycling, sludge return, organic substrate addition and/or aeration can be adjusted to achieve the desired environmental conditions. In the event that phosphorus removal is necessary, the system can be used to assure proper detention time needed for biological phosphorus uptake.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the treatment of flowable waste in a waste treatment reactor and in particular the treatment of waste water in a bioreactor containing a bed of support particles having an attached biofilm and entrapped microorganisms are described. The process includes the steps of intermittently introducing waste water through a discharge port adjacent a bottom surface of the bed to form a series of plugs of waste water integrated with the microorganisms in the immediate vicinity of the discharge port; and maintaining a quiescent period following each introduction of waste water to promote biological degradation of contaminants in the waste water of each plug by the microorganisms and production of treated waste water.

Abstract: A system for treating wastewater wherein the need for the addition of an external carbon source during the denitrification step is reduced or eliminated. In accordance with the system, the centrate is removed from the centrifuge at the end of the treatment process and is fed back into the denitrification zone, where it serves as a carbon source during the denitrification reaction. By eliminating the need for an external carbon source, the operating costs of the system are dramatically reduced. Furthermore, since the centrate is not fed into the wastewater stream entering the plant and is therefore not subjected to unnecessary processing, the process is more efficient than existing methods.

Abstract: The apparatus for waste water treatment has, in a tank, a contact circulation part in which Bincho charcoal is accommodated, a sprinkling circulation part which is disposed above the contact circulation part and in which black coal is accommodated, air lift piping for lifting treatment-object water from the contact circulation part to the sprinkling circulation part, a water-sprinkling tube for sprinkling the treatment-object water onto the sprinkling circulation part, an aquatic plant cultivation bed disposed between the contact circulation part and the sprinkling circulation part, and air-diffusing tubes for introducing malodorous gas. Small quantity of surfactants and colorants are adsorbed by the Bincho charcoal and the black coal and decomposed by microorganisms that have grown in the Bincho charcoal and the black coal. The microorganisms act to biologically decompose the malodorous gas.

Abstract: Process and plant for biological purification of polluted water wherein the polluted water is successively subjected to an anaerobic, anoxic and aerobic treatment in the presence of microorganisms, and wherein the anaerobic and the anoxic treatment are carried out in the presence of one or more microorganism cultures which are different from the microorganism culture used in the aerobic treatment. Hereby better exploitation of organic matter in the water is obtained thus improving the removal of nitrogen, and an increased reaction rate per unit mass of biomass is obtained thereby allowing the amount of biomass to be reduced or the total reaction rate of the plant to be increased.

Abstract: A system for purifying a liquid including a reactor and a clarifier with the clarifier arranged at an elevated position relative to the reactor so that residue from the clarifier can be returned to the reactor hydrostatically. Liquid in the reactor is aerated using an agitating means with the agitating means also used to transfer liquid from the reactor to the clarifier. The liquid is fed to the clarifier at a constant, controlled rate.

Abstract: A method of treating municipal or industrial wastewater containing undesired concentrations of ammonium or nitrate ions comprising treating the wastewater under anoxic, denitrifying conditions with denitrifying bacteria to reduce the concentration of nitrate ion and produce nitrogen gas and a denitrified liquor; treating the denitrified liquor in an aerobic vertical shaft bioreactor with an oxygen-containing gas to effect BOD removal by the bioxidation of organic compounds in the denitried liquor and produce carbon dioxide off-gas and a shaft bioreactor effluent liquor; clarifying a first portion of the shaft bioreactor effluent liquor to provide a first clarified liquor and a second portion of the shaft bioreactor effluent liquor to provide a second clarified liquor; treating the first clarified liquor under aerobic, nitrifying conditions with nitrifying bacteria, an oxygen-containing gas and the off-gas to oxidize ammonium ion to nitrate ion and provide a first nitrified liquor; recycling by adding the firs

Abstract: A process for biologically removing nitrogen and other nutrients from wastewater using recycled activated sludge. A mixed liquor is formed from influent wastewater and recycled activated sludge and then treated in two successive nitrogen removal stages, each stage having an anoxic denitrification zone and an aerobic nitrification zone. The first nitrogen removal stage entails circulating the mixed liquor back and forth between the anoxic zone and the aerobic zone. The mixed liquor is then transferred to a final clarifier where activated sludge is separated from purified supernatant. To increase the NO.sub.x.sup.- reducing enzymatic activity of denitrification microorganisms, the activated sludge is retained in the final clarifier for a time period sufficient to permit adaptation of these microorganisms to a nitrate/nitrite-respiring metabolic pathway.

Abstract: A process and a device for biologically treating an organic waste mixture containing organically polluted waste water and solid components. The process and the device involve exposing the organic waste mixture to a first decomposition stage where the solid components and the waste water are separated from one another and where the solid components are decomposed under predominantly aerobic conditions. The waste water is then passed to a second decomposition stage where the waste water is decomposed under anoxic conditions. Thereafter, the waste water is passed to a third decomposition stage where the waste water is decomposed again under aerobic conditions thereby creating recirculation water. At least a portion of the recirculation water is returned from the third decomposition stage to the first decomposition stage for continuously recirculating water through and between respective decomposition stages.

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

Abstract: To purify untreated water, for example waste water, containing organic pollution, materials in suspension and nitrogen-containing pollution, reagents are added under conditions adapted to coagulate all of the materials in suspension, including colloidal materials, to form granular physical/chemical floc. Diluting water is added, preferably after the reagents, in a flowrate ratio of at least 2/1. The dilute flocculated water is caused to flow through a bed of sludge in the form of such dense and granular floc and denitrifying bacteria. The bed is subject to turbulent but intermittent agitation. A denitrified effluent is recovered. This denitrified effluent is caused to flow through a biological filter or preferably through a fluidized bed containing nitrifying bacteria and into which oxygen or air is injected. A clarified effluent is obtained, some of which is recycled as the diluting water.

Abstract: A wastewater feed containing an ultimate BOD/COD ratio >0.6 is well-suited for especially acclimated thermophilic and/or caldo-active living micro-organisms ("hot cells") which thrive in an autothermal aerobic (ATA) reaction zone having an ATA bioreactor ("ATAB") operating at substantially ambient atmospheric pressure in combination with a MF or UF membrane filtration device from which a solids-free permeate may be withdrawn. This combination, of ATAB and membrane device is a "membrane bioreactor" (ATA MBR), which operates autothermally with a feed containing biodegradable organic materials having a BOD of at least 5,000 mg/L, preferably at least 10,000 mg/L (10 g/L) with a minor portion of "municipal" wastewater or domestic sewage. Operation of the ATAB, preferably in the thermophilic range from 45.degree. C.-75.degree. C., with constant HRT from 1 to 12 days, is contingent upon maintaining a stable population of live hot cells.

Abstract: A pressurized process for the treatment of high-solids wastewater having relatively high BOD and phosphorus concentration includes anaerobic and aerobic treatment. The treated wastewater effluent is discharged in an environmentally safe manner such that the residue BOD and P are concentrated in the solid fraction which may be a source of protein.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for modifying waste water to reduce nitrate content and biochemical oxygen demand is provided. The apparatus includes an ammonification and denitrification region having a substantially anaerobic environment, a nitrification region having a substantially aerobic environment, and an effluent drainage region. Effluent circulates through the ammonification and denitrification region and the nitrification region to convert organic nitrogen-containing compounds in waste water to nitrogen gas and carbon dioxide.

Abstract: Methods for the biological treatment of sewage in a sewage treatment plant, of wastestreams and of ponds are disclosed. The methods employ a composition comprising active amounts of an enzyme mixture, B. subtilis and P. fluorescens, and a nutrient source having a COD of 10,000 mg/kg or less, of which one source is used mushroom compost. The composition is first activated in fresh water, is then acclimated in a waste moiety, and the acclimated mixture is then used to treat the main body of the waste, such as sewage sludge, a wastestream or a pond.

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

Abstract: A system for purifying nitrogenous waste water by biological nitrification and denitrification, comprises at least two essentially separated reactor chambers, a liquid supply (4) and a liquid discharge (5). The first, aerated reactor chamber (1) is provided at the top with an overflow to the second, oxygen-depleted reactor chamber (2). The oxygen-depleted reactor chamber (2) is divided at the top into a degassing chamber (7) and a settling chamber (8) having an overflow (9) to the liquid discharge. The first reactor chamber is provided with an air supply (11, 18) and an air discharge (12) located above the supply. The first reactor chamber may be partly divided into a riser (14) and a downcomer (15) which allow, as a result of the air supply, mass circulation to take place in the aerated reactor chamber.

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

Abstract: A process for improved methane production by two-phase anaerobic digestion of organic carbonaceous material in which organic carbonaceous material is fermented under anaerobic conditions in an acid phase digester, forming a liquid/solids effluent, the liquid/solids effluent is fermented under anaerobic conditions in a methane phase digester, product gas comprising methane is withdrawn from the methane phase digester, and oxygen is introduced into the methane phase digester. In a preferred embodiment, the methane phase liquid effluent is passed through a CO.sub.2 stripper resulting in stripping of CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 S from the methane phase liquid effluent. The resulting stripper liquid effluent comprising dissolved oxygen is then recycled back to the methane phase digester.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved method for oxygenation of liquid waste. The method comprises drawing a low pressure stream of liquid waste from a liquid waste tank and introducing an oxygen-containing gas thereto to provide a mixture of liquid waste and gas. Thereafter, the mixture is pumped into a high pressure stream wherein the pressure is maintained in the range of 50 to 1000 psig to obtain an oxygen enriched dispersion. The oxygen enriched dispersion is then discharged into the holding tank.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a sewage treatment system comprising a tank in which biological treatment by microorganisms occur in mixed liquor and a circulating loop for removing mixed liquor from the tank and returning oxygen enriched aerated mixed liquor to the tank. The mixed liquor is removed and returned to the tank through a pair spaced apart submerged filters. One alternative construction is to use a pressure tank in the circulation loop to increase the percentage of dissolved oxygen in the aerated mixed liquor.

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

Abstract: Process for the microbiological nitrification and denitrification of wastewater utilizes wastewater and endogenous carbon as carbon sources. After removal of settleable solids in the wastewater stream in a settling tank, wastewater is discharged into a fixed-bed, down-flow, aerobic, free draining nitrification field, containing suitable media to facilitate the growth of microorganisms capable of converting influent nitrogen, in the form of ammonia, to nitrite and then nitrate, by passing the wastewater through the nitrification field. Microbiological activity is facilitated by means of an adjustable recycle stream which adds dissolved oxygen to the aerobic nitrification field and provides sufficient dosing of the media to insure the wetting necessary to support continuous microbiological activity.

Abstract: A high rate multi-stage bubble separation process is developed for: (a) initially generating coarse gas bubbles with diameters greater than 80 microns in turbulent hydraulic condition to mix an influent water with chemicals, enzymes, microorganisms, or combinations thereof, to produce chemical flocs, biological flocs or both, and to strip volatile contaminants from water; (b) subsequently terminating coarse gas bubbles and generating extremely fine gas bubbles with diameters smaller than 80 microns in laminar hydraulic condition to float suspended, oily and surface-active contaminants together with said chemical flocs and said biological flocs from water, to settle heavy contaminants from water, and to produce a clarified effluent water, a floating scum, and a sludge; (c) terminating the fine gas bubbles and discharging the clarified effluent water; (d) discharging the floating scum and the sludge upon demand; and (e) optionally collecting and treating an emitted gas stream resulting from said coarse gas bubb

Abstract: A substantially closed loop waste treatment and water recycling system. The system includes one or more flush-type toilets and urinals which receive flush water from a water return station and deliver waste and flush water to an anoxic reactor. The anoxic reactor contains bacteria which de-nitrifies the mixture. The de-nitrified mixture is transferred into an aerobic digestion chamber where bacteria oxidizes various components of the mixture to obtain a liquid product having a high concentration of nitrates and a low concentration of soluble carbonaceous compounds. This liquid product is filtered, treated with activated carbon, disinfected, and subsequently returned to the water return station as colorless and odorless flush water. Recycled flush water in excess of flush water requirements is further treated in a secondary nitrate removal station and discharged from the system.

Abstract: A modified activated sludge system is provided wherein wastewater is treated to reduce BOD, nitrogen, and/or phosphorus. The disclosed system features a zone sequence nitrification/denitrification, with nitrification induced by recycling mixed liquor that contains a significant concentration of oxygen and nitrifying bacteria. With a further modification, the main treatment zones of the treatment system are split into two or more parallel treatment trains that are either high-loaded with BOD or low-loaded with BOD. The high-loaded sections facilitate the sludge generation and BOD removal, while the low-loaded sections are operated for nitrification and to enhance the growth of nitrifying bacteria. The parallel treatment zones combine and pass into a final denitrification zone. Phosphorus removal is achieved with phosphate release in a reverse flow regime to the main treatment, and phosphate retention primarily in aerated treatment zones in the main stream of the process.

Abstract: System and method for converting and recycling liquid-borne organic waste materials from a processing plant. The waste material is passed through a compost bed containing a fecal material which processes the organic waste biologically, removes liquid from the waste by adsorption and absorption, and filters out colloidal particles. The compost bed may be mixed with other natural and/or synthetic materials to enhance aeration and/or digestion of the waste material. Any waste material which remains after passing through the compost bed is passed through a filter bed containing charcoal, rock and/or synthetic materials, then recycled through the compost and filter beds. Warm air is passed through the filter bed and the compost to provide aeration for the composting process and removes the adsorbed and absorbed water from these beds. The air is then passed through another charcoal filter bed, following which it is condensed.

Abstract: The urban waste is crushed (2) to dimensions no greater than 5 cm and intimately mixed (5) with a aqueous suspension of biological sludge preconditioned at a temperature of from 40 to 100.degree. C. (6) and having a dry content of from 3 to 30% by weight, the suspension thus obtained, inoculated with bacterial strains (7) which can effect anaerobic break-down, being supplied to a closed fermentation cell (11, 12, 13) operated as a fluidised bed and being kept under anaerobic fermentation conditions in the cell until the emission of biogas has effectively ceased. In the fermentation cell the suspension percolates through filtration means constituted by a non-woven textile covering the walls and the base of the cell and the flow of percolated suspension is recycled to the cell. The filtration means also facilitate the separation of the biogas evolved.

Abstract: A system to treat wastewater from a metal-working facility, such as an automotive manufacturing plant in a bioreactor using live microorganisms. Such wastewater contains waste fluids which are a mixture of relatively easily biodegradable fats and oils, much less easily biodegradable synthetic fluids, oils and greases, and non-biodegradable material including inorganic finely divided solids such as metal and silicon carbide particles. Such waste fluids require a hydraulic retention time (HRT) and a solids retention time (SRT) which is 10 times greater than for sewage. High quality water is separated from suspended solids which are removed from the reactor at an essentially constant rate and fed to an ultrafiltration membrane. Concentrate is recycled to the reactor, except for a bleed stream to remove solids periodically.

Abstract: A process is described for the operation of a multiple zone batch treatment system for biological or biophysical treatment of wastewater. The system comprises two or more batch treatment zones with wastewater passing sequentially through all treatment zones. After the mix and settle batch steps occur for all zones, influent wastewater flows into the first zone and displaces clarified wastewater in a plug flow mode through each treatment zone and ultimately from the last zone. The combining of the decant and fill steps for all or most of the zones provides for shorter cycle times and greater capacity for the system.

Abstract: A paint sludge is subjected to aerobic biodegradation with increased dry content of the resulting sludge and the latter is then subjected to anaerobic biological degradation. The effluent from the two biostages are sterilized by ozonization, UV-irradiation or peroxide addition. The sludge from the anaerobic biostage can be dried to an inert granulate and drying vapors are recycled to the aerobic biostage. The sterile liquid is returned to the wash water circulation of the painting plant.

Abstract: An improved gas dissolving and releasing liquid treatment system involving the use of multi-stages gas dissolving pressure vessel and the use of a pressurized water release assembly and an open vessel is described. The gas dissolving and releasing liquid treatment system includes a liquid pressure pump, a pressure vessel, a gas injector, an inlet nozzle assembly, a gas compressor, gas regulators, gas flow meters, pressure gauges, a safety valve, a bleed-off point, feeders, pumps, a pressurized water release unit, a liquid flow meter, an open vessel, sludge removal means, and air emission control means. More than one gases introduced at different inlets are dissolved simultaneously and efficiently in the pressure vessel under controlled high pressure and high rotating velocity. The improved liquid treatment system is compact, simple and cost-effective, and is applied to ozonation, chlorination, recarbonation, oxygenation, bio-oxidation, nitrogenation, aeration, and flotation processes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and process useful for the biological transformation of waste materials into ecologically desirable materials. A meta system reactor is disclosed comprising three primary zones which are cyclically and dynamically connected by a circulating fluid. In the process of the invention, each of a bioreactor zone, solids ecoreactor zone and georeactor zone further comprise secondary subsystems and are cyclically connected by a series of recycle flows and organism movements to bioconvert the contained materials. The converted materials produced can be desirable and ecologically beneficial end products comprising gases such as nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor; a biologically active and highly beneficial humus material; and clean water which may be passed through a final wetlands polishing and biomonitoring system before discharge into a natural receiving water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for purifying waste gases by scrubbing with an adsorbent suspension. The adsorbent suspension in a concentration from 40 g/l to 200 g/l is here distributed uniformly or almost uniformly in at least one gas-scrubbing device, passed through at least one ordered mass transfer zone and contacted with the gas and then passed into at least one separately arranged reactor, the biologically degradable or convertible impurities are reacted, with the additional use of aerobic bacteria and oxygen, with forced motion and the purified liquid or suspension is recycled, wholly or as part stream, to the gas-scrubbing device, distributed therein and contacted again with the gas which is to be purified.

Abstract: A process for high-load treatment of carbohydrate-containing waste water comprises the steps of separating a yeast appearing in the waste water, subjecting the separated yeast to large-quantity culture, and treating the waste water by a high-load operation using the cultured yeast as a seed fungus under the conditions of a volume load of 10 to 80 kg-BOD/m.sup.3 .multidot.day and a yeast load of 1.0 to 5.0 kg-BOD/kg-yeast.multidot.day, whereby it is possible to treat the high-concentration waste water efficiently with a small volume for treatment. To obviate the conflict between the yeast and bacteria, it is recommendable to add Cl.sub.2 to a reservoir in an amount of 10 to 50 mg/l. Upon the treatment of the waste water, a surplus of yeast is generated, which contains proteins and vitamins in high contents and, therefore, is capable of being taken by a fodder company as fodder or fertilizer; thus, the disposal cost associated with the surplus yeast is saved.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing manure, comprising the steps of:i) adding an organic carrier liquid to the manure;ii) concentrating the mixture of manure and carrier liquid;iii) condensing the formed vapor;vi) anaerobic treating of the condensate; andv) aerobic treating of the effluent from the anaerobic treatment.Preferably the effluent deriving from the anaerobic treatment is denitrified in a denitrification unit and nitrified in a nitrification unit, and wherein a portion of the sludge-influent mixture from the nitrification unit is recirculated to the denitrification unit.The treating yield is greater than 90%, preferably greater than 95%, such as 97-99% BOD.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for anaerobically degrading highly concentrated process waste waters as obtained particularly in the chemical industry, in paper mills and cellulose plants, fish-processing plants, and in the production and elimination of alcohol or the like, whereby the CSB-content may be up to 10.sup.6 mg/l or more. This process comprises a putrefactive process which is induced in at least one decomposition tank at about 34.degree. C. by circulating normal sewage sludge, whereby upon start-up of the putrefactive process, a change to chemical process waste waters is carried out without adding communal sewage sludge. Subsequently, the sludge is withdrawn from the decomposition tank, flocculated, and returned to the external circulation for circulating the putrefactive sludge in the decomposition tank.

Abstract: A two-step process for microbiological purification of contaminated water, comprising a first step using anaerobic conditions in a reactor having a stationary bed and a biofilm fixed thereon followed by conventional microbiological purification, characterized in that in said first step the water is supplied at the upper end of the reactor and is brought to trickle over the fixed biofilm without drenching the bed and while maintaining a continuous gasphase within the bed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reactor for biological purification of pollutant-containing water in a closed vessel by means of loop operation. This vessel contains, disposed vertically and concentrically with respect to its jacket and to each other, an insertable pipe that is open at both ends, into which a nozzle projects for the purpose of supplying the water-gas-biomass mixture to be purified, and a guide pipe that is open at both ends and that forms an inner annulus with the internal insertable pipe and an outer annulus with the reactor jacket. This guide pipe projects above and below the ends of the insertable pipe. A deflector plate is mounted below the insertable pipe but inside the guide pipe, so that part of the biomass-water mixture is deflected back into the inner annulus. A conically shaped sedimentation chamber is disposed in the lower part of the reactor.

Abstract: A process for treating wastewater to biologically remove phosphorous as well as lowering ammonia, TSS and BOD levels is provided. The process employs a plurality of basins which may be individually controlled to achieve anaerobic, anoxic or aerobic conditions. The basins are reconfigurable in that the flow of influent to a basin, transfer of mixed liquor between basins and effluent discharge from a basin can be varied to create a treatment cycle which has features of both continuous and batch processes while minimizing recycle rates and hydraulic level changes.

Abstract: Process for the psychrophilic biological purification of waste waters having medium-low concentrations of polluting substances. The process comprises a first anaerobic treatment step with an expanded mud bed of U.A.S.B. type at a low flow rate, a second treatment step comprising a fluid-bed treatment on a fine support at a high flow rate, and a final treatment step comprising anaerobic treatment for the nitrification and oxydation of the various substances reduced in the previous treatments. The flow is then recycled to the upstream steps for the removal of possible nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus.

Abstract: A waste treatment and water recycling system that includes a delivery system, a trap, a sump, an anoxic reactor, an aerobic digestion chamber, a filtering system, an adsorption system, a disinfecting system and a water return system. The delivery system includes one or more flush-type toilets and urinals which receive flush water from the water return system and deliver the toilet and urinal waste and flush water to the anoxic reactor. The anoxic reactor contains bacteria which utilizes organics in the toilet waste to convert oxidized nitrogen compounds, such as nitrates, to nitrogen gas, produce bicarbonates and other products. The bacteria, in accomplishing this, lower the organic load on subsequent processes.

Abstract: The support material (27) in the reactor is uniformly subjected, over the height of the reactor bed, to a gas flow ensuring supply and evacuation. The biological film reactor (22) can be fed with oxygen, hydrogen and/or carbon dioxide. The reactor (22) is in the form of a fluidized bed and has an inlet (42) near the floor of the reactor and an outlet (33) near the top. Located in the fluidized bed (32) between a distribution network (4) for the inlet water and the outlet (33) is a material exchanger (15) consisting of a support frame (20) on which is fitted a thin-walled pipe (26) of roughly helicoidal shape, made of non-porous plastic and having its turns (34) spaced at intervals. The pipe is connected to a gas supply device (35). An absorber (12) can be connected to the gas supply line (36).

Abstract: System and method for converting and recycling liquid borne organic waste materials from a processing plant. The waste material is passed through a compost bed containing a fecal material which treats the organic waste biologically, removes liquid from the waste by adsorption and absorption, and filters out colloidal particles. Any waste material which remains after passing through the compost bed is passed through a charcoal filter bed, then recycled through the compost and charcoal. Warm air is passed through the charcoal and the compost to provide aeration for the composting process and removes the adsorbed and absorbed water from these beds. The air is then passed through another charcoal filter bed, following which it is condensed. The condensate is discharged from the system.

Abstract: A high-rate biological waste water treatment process for removing organic tter, phosphorus and nitrogen nutrients from municipal waste water comprising the steps of mixing the influent waste water in an initial anaerobic reactor zone to maintain the biological solvents in suspension with a denitrified mixed liquor from a downstream anoxic reactor zone, typically at a flow rate of 0.5 to two times the waste water flow rate. The reactor zone serves to select microorganisms capable of accumulating quantities of phosphorus in excess of that required for simple cell growth and reproduction. The phosphorus removal occurs due to the removal of excess sludge (waste activated sludge) produced in the process wherein such sludge can be removed from the clarifier underflow or as a mixed liquor directly from the biological reactor.