Utilizing Specific Oxidant, Other Than Air Alone (e.g., Oxygen-enriched Air, Ozone, Peroxide, Etc.) Patents (Class 210/627)
  • Patent number: 11648515
    Abstract: A gas solution manufacturing device 1 includes a gas supply line 2 configured to supply a gas as a raw material of a gas solution, a liquid supply line 3 configured to supply a liquid as a raw material of the gas solution, a gas solution production unit 4 configured to mix the gas and the liquid together to produce the gas solution, a gas-liquid separation unit 5 configured to perform gas-liquid separation of the produced gas solution into a supplied liquid to be supplied to a use point and a discharged gas to be discharged through an exhaust port, and a gas dissolving unit 6 provided in the liquid supply line 4 and configured to dissolve the discharged gas resulting from the gas-liquid separation in the liquid. The gas dissolving unit 6 is configured with a hollow fiber membrane configured with a gas permeable membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Suguru Ozawa, Yuji Araki, Yoichi Nakagawa, Toshifumi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11447408
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system including a contact tank, a dissolved air flotation unit, a fixed film reactor, and a solids-liquid separation unit is disclosed. A method of treating wastewater with a dissolved air flotation unit and a fixed film reactor is also disclosed. A method of retrofitting a fixed film reactor wastewater treatment system including providing a contact tank and a dissolved air flotation unit is also disclosed. A method of facilitating increased operating efficiency of a fixed film wastewater treatment system including providing a dissolved air flotation unit is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Argun O. Erdogan, Michael L. Doyle, Deborah Hyke
  • Patent number: 10287194
    Abstract: The efficiency of water disinfection can be significantly increased by supplying the ozone in combination with oxygen to an inlet of a cavitation pump. The ozone and the oxygen are turned into ultra-fine bubbles via cavitation action within the pump, facilitating the dissolution of the oxygen and ozone within the water. The water mixed with the oxygen and the ozone is subsequently supplied to a line atomizer, where the dissolution of the ozone within the mixture is completed. The combined use of the cavitation pump and the line atomizer can lead to a substantially complete dissolution of the supplied ozone within water that needs to be disinfected, allowing to easily achieve the concentration of ozone necessary for water disinfection. Due to this efficiency, the system and method described are highly scalable and suitable for water purification at water purification plants of various sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Inventors: Akiyoshi Ohki, Whitney Rich
  • Patent number: 9120686
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved wastewater treatment systems and methods. In one embodiment, the present invention utilizes microbial consortia and the final effluent of the treated wastewater is remarkably clean, and has low levels of hazardous chemicals, unwanted nutrient values and/or total solids. Advantageously, the wastewater treatment system and method of the present invention reduces the use of chemical compounds in the treatment process. Further, valuable biomasses can be produced from the wastewater using the treatment process of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Kuehnle AgroSystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Adelheid R. Kuehnle, Martin Johnson, Robert J. Schurr
  • Patent number: 8920644
    Abstract: A method of producing drinking water from wastewater comprises ozonating the wastewater and treating the wastewater with powdered activated carbon (PAC). The ozonated wastewater and the PAC are mixed together in a contacting zone. The mixture of PAC and wastewater is directed through a membrane filtration unit that separates a PAC rich concentrate from treated water. The PAC rich concentrate is recirculated to the contacting zone to increase the concentration of PAC in the contacting zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies Support
    Inventor: Abdelkader Gaid
  • Patent number: 8480898
    Abstract: A membrane module for an immersed operation has a fiber bundle of hollow fiber membranes which are cast into a headpiece and in immersed operation are surrounded by a liquid to be filtered. The module has a permeate collection chamber connected to the headpiece with an outlet for permeate draining from the interior of the hollow fiber membranes, and a gas supply having a pipe guided by the headpiece. The pipe terminates in the interior of the fiber bundle and has a gas outlet for a gaseous medium, which after the transfer from the pipe to the liquid to be filtered rises as bubbles between the hollow fiber membranes. The fiber bundle is divided into sections and free spaces remain between the sections which extend from the pipe to the outer circumference of the headpiece and promote an inflow of the liquid into a foot area adjoining the headpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Koch Membrane Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Schäfer, Klaus Vossenkaul, Christoph Kullmann
  • Patent number: 8449773
    Abstract: A process for converting organic waste materials into usable products and products thereof is disclosed. According to the process, organic waste materials are contacted with an oxidant to form a product and then an amount of the oxidant is removed from the product to form a reactor-ready feedstock. The oxidant is removed by various means, including washing, photolysis, catalytic means, oxidation of the oxidant, reduction of the oxidant, and heat. The reactor-ready feedstock may then be introduced into a reactor, such as a digester or incubator, and the reactor-ready feedstock is converted by microorganisms into biofuel or other products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Brigham Young University
    Inventors: Jaron C. Hansen, Lee D. Hansen
  • Patent number: 8268174
    Abstract: In a sewage treatment system, microconstituents, including personal care products and pharmaceutical materials, often difficult to degrade biologically, are removed by supersaturating the untreated wastewater feed with ozone. This breaks down refractory microconstituents into more readily biodegradable materials, subsequently treated preferably in an activated sludge membrane bioreactor process. The oxygen byproduct of ozonation is utilized by feeding the oxygen into an aerobic part of the plant to meet a portion of the biological demand, thereby increasing efficiency of ozone use in the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Ovivo Luxembourg S.a.r.l.
    Inventor: Dennis Livingston
  • Patent number: 8173020
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for water treatment are described, particularly for the simultaneous removal of nitrate, perchlorate, and other organic contaminates from contaminated water using a membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: APTwater, Inc.
    Inventor: Reid H. Bowman
  • Patent number: 8101082
    Abstract: A method for treating waste-activated sludge comprises adding (1) a pozzolanic material to waste-activated sludge to form a mixture. The mixture is homogenized and aerated (2). The pozzolanic material reacts with the waste-activated sludge. The mixture is allowed to settle (3). A portion of the mixture is recirculated (4) from a downstream location to an upstream location. The recycled mixture includes pozzolanic material. Some embodiments provide advantages over existing wastewater treatment methods which may include: reduction or elimination of unpleasant odours, reduction of overall costs, conversion of waste into useful products, and/or reduction or elimination of discharged bacteria or other undesirable materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Pierway Envromental Inc.
    Inventor: Gerd Peter Waschke
  • Patent number: 8062525
    Abstract: The process according to the invention for treating water in a treatment plant comprising a reaction chamber in which a biodegradable material present in the water is biodegraded at least partly by microorganisms, in the course of which, at least temporarily, water is transferred out of the reaction chamber into a separating chamber and the biodegradable material and the microorganisms are separated at least partly from the water therein, a return stream comprising biodegradable material and at least some of the microorganisms flowing out of the separating chamber into the reaction chamber via a recycle line, is characterized in that at least some of the following substances: a) the biodegradable material and b) the microorganisms are treated with ozone (O3), an amount of 15 to 150 milligrams of ozone per kilogram of dry substance of the biodegradable material and of the microorganisms being added per hour in the reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour l'Etude Et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Jörg Schwerdt, Stefan Wolff, Jan Parmentier
  • Patent number: 7931807
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for water treatment are described, particularly for the simultaneous removal of nitrate, perchlorate, and other organic contaminates from contaminated water using a membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Applied Process Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Reid Bowman
  • Patent number: 7875179
    Abstract: The invention provides a side stream type membrane bioreactor process which does not cause an excessive fall in the MLSS concentration in a bioreactor, does not require any additional effluent treatment facility for discharging backwash effluent, and can further ensure the stability of the membrane filtration performance of a separation membrane. According to the invention, in a side stream type membrane bioreactor process, a backwash effluent containing foulants that are generated by backwashing a separation membrane is collected in a backwash effluent tank, and subjected to ozone treatment, and the resultant is returned to a bioreactor. By this ozone treatment, the foulants close to the membrane pore size of the separation membrane are made fine or are made into a state be easily taken into activated sludge flocs. Therefore, even when the treated effluent is returned to the bioreactor, the membrane filtration performance of the separation membrane is not deteriorated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Metawater Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigehiro Suzuki, Motoharu Noguchi, Koichiro Kando
  • Patent number: 7790032
    Abstract: Waste treatment systems and methods of using them to treat septage, domestic sludge or both are disclosed. Certain examples provided herein relate to waste treatment systems that include a plurality of stages, such as, for example, a plurality of ecosystems, configured to treat domestic sludge, septage or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Bioregen Systems LLC
    Inventor: Michael H. Ogden
  • Publication number: 20100147764
    Abstract: A method for removing contaminant from feedwater by forming a dispersion comprising bubbles of a treatment gas in a continuous phase comprising feedwater, wherein the bubbles have a mean diameter of less than about 5 ?m and wherein the treatment gas is selected from the group consisting of air, oxygen, and chlorine. A method for removing contaminants from a feedwater by subjecting a fluid mixture comprising feedwater and a treatment gas to a shear rate greater than 20,000 s?1 in a high shear device to produce a dispersion of treatment gas in a continuous phase of the feedwater. A system for treating feedwater to remove contaminants therefrom is also presented, the system comprising at least one high shear mixing device comprising at least one generator comprising a rotor and a stator separated by a shear gap; and a pump configured for delivering feedwater and treatment gas to the high shear mixing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: H R D CORPORATION
    Inventors: Abbas HASSAN, Ebrahim BAGHERZADEH, Rayford G. ANTHONY, Gregory BORSINGER, Aziz HASSAN
  • Patent number: 7718067
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for remediating a failing wastewater treatment system comprising a positive air, oxygen, ozone, or combination thereof, generating pressure pump (40) directing the air, oxygen, ozone or combination through a tube (50) to an air stone (60) suspended in the effluent. Attached growth bacteria grow on a plurality or random directional brushes (116) in an effluent tank, e.g., septic tank (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Aero-Stream, LLC
    Inventor: Karl K. Holt
  • Patent number: 7651615
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to a process for decreasing waste material. The process includes loading organic material into a vessel, supplying ozone and water into the vessel, separating the organic material into solid material and liquid material, and reconditioning water from the liquid material for use again. The ozone oxidizes and breaks down at least a portion of the organic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Clemson University Research Foundation
    Inventor: Annel Kay Greene
  • Patent number: 7641798
    Abstract: A waster water treatment apparatus has micro-nano bubbles generation tanks, mixing tanks, a submerged membrane tank, a contact oxidation tank, and an activated charcoal adsorption device. In the micro-nano bubbles generation tanks, micro-nano bubbles are added to the waste water. In the mixing tanks, the waste water containing micro-nano bubbles is mixed with sludge containing microorganisms. In the contact oxidation tank, the waste water containing organofluoric compounds is microbially treated by the micro-nano bubbles added to the waste water. The micro-nano bubbles activate microorganisms in the waste water. Thereby organofluoric compounds are microbially decomposed with effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Yamasaki, Kazuyuki Sakata, Kazumi Chuhjoh
  • Patent number: 7618537
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for water treatment are described, particularly for the simultaneous removal of nitrate, perchlorate, and other organic contaminates from contaminated water using a membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Applied Process Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Reid Bowman
  • Publication number: 20090184050
    Abstract: Systems and methods for watercraft and marine propulsions systems having marine environment enhancement capabilities are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventor: Dale C. Barr
  • Publication number: 20090117241
    Abstract: This invention provides a fine bubble generating apparatus which can efficiently generate fine bubbles on the nanometer level. This apparatus comprises a cylindrical member (40) having a cylindrical inner peripheral surface, a first end wall member (42) configured to close one end of the cylindrical member, and a second end wall member (44) configured to close the other end of the cylindrical member. The cylindrical member (40) and the first and second end wall members (42) and (44) define a fluid swirling chamber (46). The cylindrical member has a fluid inlet hole (48) at a position close to the second end wall member (44) to supply a gas-liquid mixed fluid in the tangential direction of the peripheral surface of the fluid swirling chamber (46). The second end wall member has a fluid outlet hole (50) extending therethrough along the center axis of the inner peripheral surface of the fluid swirling chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventor: Hideyasu Tsuji
  • Publication number: 20090114592
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for purifying wastewater loaded with organic matter, said method including: a step of contacting wastewater with a biological culture containing a purifying biomass and a step of separating performed by filtration through organic or inorganic membranes. The invention is characterized in that at least part of the biological culture is subjected to an oxidative stress step enabling a liquor to be obtained by the action of at least one oxidizing agent used in small amount so as to preserve the biological activity of the purifying biomass while modifying the microbial floc to make it denser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: Degremont
    Inventors: Thierry Lebrun, Xavier Lebosse, Chrystelle Langlais
  • Patent number: 7513999
    Abstract: A system and method for the ozone treatment of wastewater is disclosed. The disclosed wastewater treatment system includes a high selectivity reactor coupled to an activated sludge treatment basin. The high selectivity reactor is adapted to receive a stream containing sludge diverted directly or indirectly from the activated sludge treatment basin. The disclosed wastewater treatment system and method is adapted to inject a chemical agent, such as ozone-enriched gas, into the diverted stream for treatment within the high selectivity reactor for purposes of sludge reduction, foam control, or bulking control. The treated stream is then returned to the activated sludge treatment basin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Malcolm Ezekiel Fabiyi, Richard Novak
  • Publication number: 20090050562
    Abstract: An activated sludge wastewater treatment method is provided. The disclosed method includes: receiving a stream of wastewater into a mixed liquor in an uncovered activated sludge basin; introducing high purity oxygen to the mixed liquor in the activated sludge basin to produce euoxic conditions (i.e. a dissolved oxygen level in the range of between about 5 mg to 15 mg) in the activated sludge basin; passing a portion of the mixed liquor in the activated sludge basin through a clarifier to separate activated sludge and produce an effluent stream and an activated sludge stream; and recycling a portion of the activated sludge stream to the activated sludge basin to produce a mixed liquor having a solids loading of between about 3000 mg and about 10000 mg of suspended solids per liter of mixed liquor and a solids retention time of between about 7 days and 40 days.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Richard A. Novak, Malcolm Fabiyi, Amitabh Gupta
  • Patent number: 7476319
    Abstract: The invention is a method and an apparatus for continuously controlling denitrification in wastewater purification in a sewage treatment plant having at least one denitrification stage under varying nitrogen loads comprising the steps a) provision of excess sludge, b) treatment of the excess sludge according to running parameters determined in advance, c) separation of the treated excess sludge into an organic fraction and an inorganic fraction, d) measurement of actual values for dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the organic fraction, e) recirculation of the organic fraction to one of the denitrification stages, f) comparison of actual values with predetermined setpoint values for DOC fractions and, in the event of difference between actual values and setpoint values, determination of altered running parameters for treatment of the excess sludge in step b), g) repetition of steps a), to f).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Bayer Healthcare AG
    Inventors: Jürgen Kahlert, Frank Niemeyer, Matthäus Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20090001017
    Abstract: A method for removing contaminant from feedwater by forming a dispersion comprising bubbles of a treatment gas in a continuous phase comprising feedwater, wherein the bubbles have a mean diameter of less than about 5 ?m and wherein the treatment gas is selected from air, oxygen, and chlorine. A method for removing contaminants from a feedwater by subjecting a fluid mixture comprising feedwater and a treatment gas to a shear rate greater than 20,000 s?1 in a high shear device to produce a dispersion of treatment gas in a continuous phase of the feedwater. A system for treating feedwater to remove contaminants therefrom is also presented, the system comprising at least one high shear mixing device comprising at least one generator comprising a rotor and a stator separated by a shear gap; and a pump configured for delivering feedwater and treatment gas to the high shear mixing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: H R D CORPORATION
    Inventors: Abbas HASSAN, Ebrahim BAGHERZADEH, Rayford G. ANTHONY, Gregory BORSINGER, Aziz HASSAN
  • Publication number: 20080179242
    Abstract: A process for treatment of acidic waters via membrane separation equipment. A feedwater is maintained or adjusted to a pH of 4.3 or lower, and fed to a membrane separation system. In this manner, species such as total organic carbon (TOC) become more ionized, and (a) their rejection by the membrane separation process is significantly increased, and (b) their solubility in the reject stream from the membrane process is significantly increased. Passage of total organic carbon (TOC) through the membrane is significantly reduced. A recovery ratio at or exceeding eighty percent (80%) is achievable with most feedwaters, while simultaneously achieving a substantial reduction in cleaning frequency of the membrane separation equipment. The method is particularly useful for the preparation of high purity water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventor: Debasish Mukhopadhyay
  • Patent number: 7384555
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus for an aerobic biological treatment of aqueous organic wastes, in which the aqueous organic waste is supplied to an aeration tank for an aerobic biological treatment in the presence of a biosludge composed essentially of aerobic microorganisms. The aerated aqueous suspension in the aeration tank is subjected to solid/liquid, separation, the so-separated liquid phase is removed as treated water, at least a portion of the separated sludge is recycled to the aeration tank, a part of the aqueous suspension in the aeration tank or of the separated sludge is treated with ozone at a pH of 5 or lower, and the ozonized suspension or sludge is recycled to the step of aerobic biological treatment. The biosludge is transformed into BOD components using a decreased amount of ozone to thereby decrease the amount of excess sludge and, in some cases, even reduce it to zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Kurita Water Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidenari Yasui, Masahide Shibata
  • Publication number: 20080128352
    Abstract: A system and method for the treatment and reduction of sludge via ozonation in a wastewater treatment process is disclosed. The sludge treatment system comprises: a sludge ozonation reactor coupled to an activated sludge treatment basin and adapted to receive a liquid stream of sludge containing biosolids from the activated sludge treatment basin. The sludge treatment system also includes an ozone-enriched gas injection system operatively coupled to the reactor and adapted to inject ozone-enriched gas into the liquid stream at or upstream of the sludge ozonation reactor. The sludge ozonation reactor is configured to allow effective gas-liquid contacting between the ozone-enriched gas and the liquid stream so as to oxidize the biosolids in the liquid stream and initiate bacterial cell lysis thereby reducing the biosolids. Upon reduction of the biosolids, the liquid stream is returned via a return line to the activated sludge basin or other discharge point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Malcolm Ezekiel Fabiyi, Richard A. Novak
  • Patent number: 6780319
    Abstract: Method of purifying wastewater charged with organic matter which comprises a step of biologically treating the water, during which the organic matter contained in the water is degraded by micro-organisms thereby producing sludge, and a water-sludge separation step, the sludge coming from the separation step being recycled in the biological treatment step, this method being characterized in that it further comprises a step of degrading the sludge, coming either from the biological treatment step or from the separation step, during which the sludge is brought into contact with an ozonated gas under conditions making it possible to obtain a floc consisting of granules whose mean size is greater than 200 microns, the volatile matter content is between 50 and 65%, the thickening factor of this granular sludge, after 30 minutes of settling, always being greater than 4, the conditions for obtaining the said granular sludge consisting in: treating between 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Ondeo Degremont
    Inventors: Eric Thieblin, Anne Mechineau, Roger Pujol
  • Patent number: 6395177
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for decoloring liquids, in particular ground water, by means of a membrane filtration unit, wherein the following steps are carried out: i) subjecting the ground water to a biological treatment in a bioreactor; ii) feeding the effluent from the bioreactor of step i) to the membrane filtration unit, in which membrane filtration unit a separation between biomass and decolored ground water takes place; followed by iii) feeding back the biomass from step ii) to the bioreactor. The invention also relates to decolored ground water and to a device for decoloring liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: N.V. Waterleiding Friesland
    Inventors: Jacobus Cornelis Van Winkelen, Walterus Gijsbertus Joseph Van Der Meer
  • Patent number: 6337020
    Abstract: Method for purifying waste water, whereby the waste water is subjected to a biological treatment producing sludge, part of this sludge being recycled towards the biological treatment while being subjected to ozonation combined with mechanical stirring. A mechanical stirring energy is brought in to attack the walls of the microorganisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Societe Degremont
    Inventors: Eric Thieblin, Roger Pujol, André Haubry
  • Patent number: 6303034
    Abstract: During a waste water treatment process such as an activated-sludge process using microorganisms, the present invention ozonizes a microorganism-mixed liquid. It reduces the amount of microorganisms remaining, prevents a microorganism floc from sedimenting inappropriately, and recovers appropriate sedimentation while maintaining treatment performance. A waste water ozonization apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention can include a sludge drawing pump which draws a microorganism-mixed liquid from an aeration vessel; an ozonizer for generating ozone gas which reacts with the microorganism-mixed liquid; an ozonization vessel which injects the ozone gas generated by the ozonizer into the drawn microorganism-mixed liquid; an ozonized-sludge channel that returns the ozonized microorganism-mixed liquid to the aeration vessel; and a control section for intermittently performing an ozonization operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: The Japanese Research & Development Association for Environment Friendly Processing in Food Industry
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Kamiya, Junji Hirotsuji, Satoru Shiono, Seiji Furukawa
  • Patent number: 6299776
    Abstract: A biochemical oxidation system and process is disclosed for the removal of insoluble sulfides from metal ores. A liquid mixture of an ore slurry and of a liquid biochemical oxidation medium is flowed through a plurality of covered overflow tanks connected in series. The liquid mixture is continuously aerated in an aeration chamber formed in the tanks with a mixture of a purified oxygen gas and a purified carbon dioxide gas as introduced into the aeration chamber. A substantially sulfide-free liquid mixture is discharged from a last tank into a clarifier in which at least a portion of the biochemical oxidation medium is separated from the liquid mixture for recirculation into the tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: General Signal Corporation
    Inventors: John R. McWhirter, James L. Stanton, Paul M. Kubera
  • Patent number: 6241897
    Abstract: Liquid in which oxygen-containing gas is to be dissolved is pumped through a main and distributed into faster-moving subsidiary streams. Each subsidiary stream passes through a turbulence-inducing means and air or oxygen is introduced into the turbulent region of alternate streams. The relative proportions of air to oxygen introduction are varied so as economically and efficiently to oxygenate the liquid. The gas-containing liquid passes through nozzles back into the volume of the liquid at sufficient velocity to cause further turbulence, making gas bubbles shear into smaller bubbles and also agitating the body of liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: The BOC Group plc
    Inventors: Cedric Hanson, Michael Jack Race
  • Patent number: 6162359
    Abstract: Process for recovering and reusing effluent gas from an ozonization reactor in a plant for treating effluent, especially sewage, which includes a biological reactor, a clarifier and an ozonization reactor. The effluent gas from the ozonization reactor is brought, as a cocurrent, into contact with a stream of water containing compounds that can be oxidized by the ozone, so that the residual ozone is removed and efficiently consumed. The effluent gas thus stripped of the residual ozone is then, optionally, pressurized using a fluid taken from the plant so as to produce a gas/liquid mixture. The gas liquid mixture is converted into an emulsion of fine bubbles, and the emulsion is introduced into the biological reactor, preferably near the bottom of the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignees: Degremont, Ozonia International
    Inventors: Marc Andre, Pierre Liechti, Denis Marchand, Eric Thieblin
  • Patent number: 6126830
    Abstract: Medical waste water is treated by passing it through a bioremediation tank and, thereafter, treating the water with ozone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Inventor: Judith M. Marshall
  • Patent number: 6117324
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a process and system for treating animal waste. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a process and system for treating animal waste effluent with ozone to decompose the organic material within and improve the odor of the animal waste. The process of the present invention also reduces biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total bacterial content and coliform bacterial count of the animal waste. The process of this present invention comprises collecting an animal waste solution, containing a mixture of water and animal fecal material; contacting the waste solution with ozone in an amount sufficient to oxidize at least a portion of the organic material contained within; and feeding the ozone treated waste solution to a solids separating device prior to collecting the waste solution in a biobasin or, alternatively, recycling the ozone treated waste solution for use as a source of irrigation or flushwater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Clemson University
    Inventors: Annel K. Greene, Charles S. Knight
  • Patent number: 5985150
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the aerobic purification of waste water in a reactor containing unsupported granular active sludge. The oxygen necessary for maintaining aerobic conditions within the reactor is provided in the form of an oxygen-containing gas. The oxygen-containing gas is preferably introduced into the reactor at such a place that the oxygen-containing gas provides at least some mixing action in the reactor. The invention also provides a reactor suitable for this process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Biothane Systems International B.V.
    Inventors: Abraham Izaak Versprille, Dirk Jan Koot
  • Patent number: 5851399
    Abstract: The process serves for treating water polluted with pollutants which can only be degraded with difficulty by purely biological means. The water is circulated through a reactor vessel arrangement (24) in which it is treated with ozone which causes a preliminary oxidation of the pollutants. The water passes into a vessel arrangement 8 containing an aerobic biological treatment which, owing to the preliminary oxidation of the pollutants, is able to degrade these further. The water is conducted in a main circuit I and a part-circuit II branched off therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Wedeco Umwelttechnologie Wasser-Boden-Luft GmbH
    Inventor: Ortwin Leitzke
  • Patent number: 5820760
    Abstract: An activated sludge process for reducing the amount of N.sub.2 O released to the atmosphere during biological oxidation of NH.sub.3, includes the following steps: mixing wastewater influent containing NH.sub.3 and BOD with activated sludge to provide a mixed liquor in a first enclosed aerobic treatment zone wherein an oxygen containing gas is introduced, the first enclosed aerobic treatment zone having two or more stages in which gas and liquor phases are staged and oxygen is transferred to the liquid phase and BOD is metabolized and NH.sub.3 is oxidized to NOx and N.sub.2 O, wherein the pN.sub.2 O is maintained at a level greater than 2 mm Hg; transferring the mixed liquor and gas to a second enclosed treatment zone having two or more stages, in which gas and liquid phases are staged, and wherein NOx and N.sub.2 O are reduced to N.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Competitive Technologies of PA, Inc.
    Inventor: Marshall L. Spector
  • Patent number: 5773283
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the aerobic reaction of compounds such as aromatic, nitro-aromatic, halo-aromatic, halo-nitro-aromatic, aliphatic and halo-aliphatic compounds with a microorganism, said microorganism being a member of the group consisting of microorganisms having ATCC Accession No. 55644, 55648, 55645, 55641, 55647, 55642, 55643, 55646, 55649, 55722, 55723, 55726, 55727, 55724, and 55725.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Cytec Technology Corporation
    Inventor: George E. Pierce
  • Patent number: 5766477
    Abstract: A process for the treatment of a liquid reactive medium with a gas comprising dispersing the gas in a liquid in which the gas is sparingly soluble to form a dispersion thereof, said liquid being maintained at a pressure (P1) greater than the pressure (P2) of the liquid reactive medium and the amount of said gas dispersed therein being in excess of its saturation point in the liquid; and introducing the dispersion into the liquid reactive medium having a demand for the gas which is in excess of the amount of gas capable of being dissolved therein at the prevailing conditions in the treatment zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: African Oxygen Limited
    Inventors: Edmund Victor Owen John, George L. Kuhn
  • Patent number: 5688685
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the aerobic reaction of compounds such as aromatic, nitro-aromatic, halo-aromatic, aliphatic and halo-aliphatic compounds with a microorganism, the microorganism being a member of the group consisting of microorganisms having ATCC Accession No. 55641, 55642, 55643, 55644, 55645, 55646, 55647, 55648 and 55649 More particularly, the present invention relates to the aerobic degradation of organic compounds in fluid or solid phase such that the compounds are bioremediated to products containing CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Cytec Technology Corporation
    Inventor: George E. Pierce
  • Patent number: 5463176
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Inventor: C. Edward Eckert
  • Patent number: 5348655
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for increasing the capacity of a sewage treatment plant. In the method, oxygen is injected into the recycle sludge stream from the settling tank prior to introducing the recycle sludge stream into the secondary waste water treatment tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Liquid Carbonic Corporation
    Inventors: Luis E. D. Simas, Jesus F. Gaztambide
  • Patent number: 5332502
    Abstract: A method for efficiently treating wastewater by aerobic digestion whereby on-site oxygen generating equipment continually provides a predetermined quantity of dissolved oxygen to the wastewater, the dissolved oxygen content being maintained at a predetermined level during peak flows by air being dissolved into the wastewater. The method being used for upgrading the capacity of an existing plant to treat wastewater; increasing the scope of an existing plant to allow removal of biological nitrogen and/or phosphorus; and designing new wastewater treatment plants. Further efficiency is introduced by using methane produced, during subsequent anaerobic digestion of the wastewater, to fuel compressors or the like which provide the air to the wastewater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: The Commonwealth Industrial Gases Ltd.
    Inventors: Denys A. Wickens, Brian J. Johnson, Mervyn R. Ogston
  • Patent number: 5310484
    Abstract: A process is described for aerobically treating wastewater containing volatile compounds to degrade the volatile compounds without liberating them to the atmosphere. Influent wastewater and return sludge from an aerobic biophysical wastewater treatment system are contacted in a preaeration zone where a minimum dissolved oxygen concentration of about 1 mg/l is maintained. In this preaeration zone a significant portion of the volatile compounds are biologically degraded. The minimum oxygen concentration in the preaeration zone is attained by prior aeration of the return sludge or by adding a small amount of oxygen to the preaeration zone. The mixture of influent wastewater and biophysical solids depleted of volatile compounds then flows to an aeration zone for further removal of pollutants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Zimpro Passavatn Environmental Sys.
    Inventor: John K. Berrigan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5200080
    Abstract: Bioremediation or other liquid waste biotreatment operations are enhanced by the use of turbulence promoters to create turbulent flow conditions in an oxygen/liquid waste dispersion prior to passage in an improved gas/liquid distribution system for passage through eductors into a lagoon or other holding source of the liquid waste being treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Bergman, Jr., Lawrence M. Litz
  • Patent number: RE40565
    Abstract: Method for purifying waste water, whereby the waste water is subjected to a biological treatment producing sludge, part of this sludge being recycled towards the biological treatment while being subjected to ozonation combined with mechanical stirring. A mechanical stirring energy is brought in to attack the walls of the microorganisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Societe Degremont
    Inventors: Eric Thieblin, Roger Pujol, André Haubry