And Internally Circulating The Liquid Patents (Class 210/629)
  • Patent number: 11643346
    Abstract: An apparatus for degrading the organic fraction of sewage by means of active biomass, in particular active sludge particles, comprising: —at least one tank (1) adapted to contain the sewage and said active biomass; —at least one hollow structure (6, 106, 206), adapted to be at least partially immersed in the sewage, provided with at least one first opening (61) for letting in the sewage and with at least one second opening (62) for letting out the sewage, wherein the ratio between the area of the at least one first opening (61) and the area of the at least one second opening (62) is equal to at least 5:1; —air delivery means (7, 70) adapted to introduce air inside said at least one structure (6, 106, 206); wherein said at least one first opening (61) is proximal to said air delivery means (7, 70) and said at least one second opening (62) is distal from said air delivery means (7, 70), so that the air delivery means (7, 70) are adapted to generate a flow of sewage from said at least one first opening (61) to s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: NOVIDEAS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Edoardo Sanna, Ludovico Sanna
  • Patent number: 11326139
    Abstract: A system for aerobic fermentation includes a vessel, an aeration system including a gas sparger fluidly coupled to the vessel to introduce a compressed gas to an internal volume of the vessel, and a recirculation loop fluidly coupled to an outlet of the vessel. The recirculation loop includes an eductor fluidly coupled to an oxygen-containing gas source, a static mixer downstream of the eductor, a heat exchanger downstream of the eductor, and a distributor downstream of the heat exchanger. The distributor is fluidly coupled to the vessel. The aeration system provides mixing and oxygen mass transfer to the fermentation composition in the vessel. The fermentation composition passes through the eductor, static mixer, heat exchanger, and distributor of the recirculation loop, and back into the vessel. Oxygen is transferred from an oxygen containing gas to the fermentation composition and heat is removed from the fermentation composition in the recirculation loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Kishore K. Kar, Suraj S. Deshpande, James J. Pressler, Bianca Fernandes Martins, Iris Raquel Maia Tebeka, Devon C. Rosenfeld, John Richard Biggs
  • Patent number: 11318432
    Abstract: Various implementations include an aeration device. The aeration device includes a venturi tube and an outlet tube. The venturi tube has an outlet port and an air intake port. The outlet tube has a first end coupled to the outlet port of the venturi tube, a second end opposite and spaced apart from the first end, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first and second ends of the outlet tube. The intermediate portion is helically shaped and extends around a helical axis of the intermediate portion. The intermediate portion extends at least one rotation about the helical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
    Inventor: David W. MacPhee
  • Patent number: 11297808
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pond culture circulation system based on a bio-toilet module including a culture pond and an annular treatment channel surrounding the culture pond. The annular treatment channel is sequentially provided with a sedimentation zone, a biological purification zone and a water storage zone along a direction of water flow. The culture pond includes a plurality of culture pond units. Each of the plurality of culture pond units is provided with a bio-toilet module in communication with the sedimentation zone through a sewage pipe. The water storage zone communicates with each of the plurality of culture pond units through a gravity-flow culvert. The invention further discloses a use method of the pond culture circulation system based on the bio-toilet module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Shanghai Ocean University
    Inventors: Liping Liu, Kang Li, Wenzhi Shi
  • Patent number: 9783434
    Abstract: An immersed membrane system or process may use measured or calculated process information to optimize one or more process operating parameters to improve performance or reduce operating costs. An on-line process control system or method may use the resistance in series method in operating an immersed membrane water treatment system. A process control system or process may consider resistance values and adjust operational parameters such as membrane aeration frequency factor, membrane aeration flow, permeate flux, permeation duration, backwash flow and duration, relaxation duration or maintenance or recovery chemical cleaning frequencies in order to reduce the operational costs related to membrane fouling removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: ZENON TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Boris Fernandes Ginzburg, Francois Yacoub, Pierre Lucien Cote, Arnold Janson
  • Patent number: 9434629
    Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane module includes a hollow fiber membrane bundle consisted of a plurality of hollow fiber membrane filaments, end part(s) at one end or both ends of the hollow fiber membrane bundle, an air inlet pipe and a produced water pipe. An air distributing device having air distributing holes is disposed at an end surface of at least one of the end parts. The air distributing device is communicated with the air inlet pipe. The air distributing holes are opened towards roots of the hollow fiber membrane filaments. Either one end of the hollow fiber membrane bundle (5) has the end part or both ends of the hollow fiber membrane bundle have the end parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Beijing Ecojoy Water Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Youfeng Sun
  • Publication number: 20150053613
    Abstract: The object is to provide an activated sludge treatment method whereby production of excess sludge is brought substantially to zero; and a method for upgrading existing waste water treatment equipment, employing this method. The method includes a step (1) in which sludge 1 produced in a bioreactor is supplied to a waste water aeration-conditioning tank for activated sludge treatment; a step (2) in which waste water into which the sludge 1 has been mixed is subjected to aeration-conditioning to bring the oxidation-reduction potential to a positive value, and the conditioning treated waste water 1 supplied to the bioreactor; a step (3) in which released water from the bioreactor is considered to release water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: JAPAN ALSI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kiyoharu Fujino
  • Publication number: 20140374347
    Abstract: Systems and methods for diffusing gas into a liquid are disclosed. In some cases, the methods include tangentially introducing a liquid into a cylindrical chamber having a cylindrical inner wall such that the liquid develops a spiral flow. In some cases, gas bubbles are orthogonally introduced into the liquid as the liquid flows through the chamber. In some cases, a flow of the liquid and the gas bubbles is controlled such that a ratio of a liquid flow rate to a gas bubble flow rate does not exceed values which convert non-bacteria enriched, clear water into froth. In such cases, a mixture of the liquid and the gas bubbles to exit the chamber near an output end. While the liquid can include clear water, in some instances, the liquid also includes bacteria (e.g., surfactant-producing or non-surfactant-producing bacteria) and/or bacterial nutrients that allow for improved bioremediation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Jakob H. Schneider, Joseph Mark Schneider
  • Publication number: 20140353249
    Abstract: A system for producing and supplying a coolant to a filtration sub-system, and for reconditioning and recombining a return flow of used coolant. A main reservoir is in two way communication with the filtration sub-system via a clean coolant outlet and a dirty coolant return. An inlet feeds an untreated water supply to a de-ionization canister. A mixing valve in communication with the inlet recombines a remaining untreated portion of the water supply with the de-ionized portion. A mixing pump intermixes the water supply with a chemical concentrate to produce a coolant delivered to a main reservoir. A volume of coolant is drawn through an outlet from the reservoir and communicates the coolant to a particle filter, a chiller, and prior to outputting to the filtration sub-systems. The used return coolant is filtered and reintroduced to the main reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventor: KEITH A. URBAN
  • Publication number: 20140311974
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a recirculating aquaculture system for aquatic life. The system includes a culture tank, a first sensor configured to measure a current ammonia concentration in the culture tank, a biofilter in fluid communication with the culture tank, a variable speed pump configured to circulate water through the culture tank and the biofilter, and a controller in communication with the first sensor and the variable speed pump. The controller is configured to retrieve a maximum ammonia concentration, retrieve the current ammonia concentration from the first sensor, and compare the current ammonia concentration to the maximum ammonia concentration. The controller is also configured to control the variable speed pump to increase a current water flow rate through the system when the current ammonia concentration is greater than the maximum ammonia concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, JR., Dennis P. DeLong, Thomas Losordo
  • Publication number: 20140263047
    Abstract: A system for treating a fluid in a container. The system includes an included airlift tube and active air input into the tube. The air is supplied by a pump that is external to the tank and sized in accordance with the size of the tank. The system is arranged to promote the generation of suspended growth bacteria. The bacteria are provided by an air supply that is diffused in the tube wherein the air carries naturally occurring bacterial spores. The airlift tube includes one or more inlet ports located below an air diffuser. The tube may be located on the floor of the tank, suspended from the ceiling of the tank or arranged to float within the tank. A plurality of tubes may be used together to treat fluids in containers larger than standard septic tanks. A pH neutralizing device may form part of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Robert F. Silva, Stephen A. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 8764986
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for removal of undesirable substances from a body of liquid. The system can include an aeration structure having a continuously inclined surface configured to provide an interaction of air bubbles against substantially an entire length of the continuously inclined surface while the air bubbles are moving toward a top of the body of liquid. The continuously inclined surface can be substantially submerged in the body of liquid. A bio-film of diverse bacteria colonies is disposed on the continuously inclined surface, and a high surface area-to-volume structure is located in proximity to the aeration structure, upon which a bio-film of bacteria colonies can be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Kraig Johnson, Lawrence D. Reaveley, Fred Jaeger, Hua Xu, Joyce A. Okey
  • Patent number: 8758619
    Abstract: A membrane supported biofilm apparatus has a plurality of hollow fiber gas permeable membranes in a tank containing water to be treated. A biofilm supported on the membranes occupies between about 40% and 80% of the volume of water to be treated in a reactor. Wastewater treatment processes are described. A process to denitrify water or treat oxidized contaminants comprises introducing hydrogen into an inner volume of the membranes to grow autotrophic organisms in the biofilm near the membrane and heterotrophic organism near the water. Another process is operated as a biomass concentration of at least 10 g/L and up to about 40 g/L to maintain a biofilm having a surface area of over 1000 square meters per cubic meter of tank volume. A hybrid process has suspended biomass and a membrane supported biofilm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Zenon Technology Partnership
    Inventors: Hidayat Husain, Rocco Mazzaferro, Minggang Liu, Richard Wong, Heather Lossing, Fengshen Fan, Youngseck Hong, Reid Bayly
  • Publication number: 20140138310
    Abstract: A device for sewage treatment including a reactor and a magnetic field generator. The reactor includes a water inlet at the upper end, a water outlet on the side wall, and a sludge outlet at the lower end. A stirrer and an aeration device are disposed in the reactor. The reactor is filled with magnetic powder and activated sludge. The magnetic field generator includes a magnetic field tester, an iron cover, a power supply, a transformer, and a spiral coil. The spiral coil loops around the outer surface of the reactor. The transformer, the spiral coil, and the power supply are connected in sequence. The iron cover surrounds the periphery and the bottom of the reactor, and the magnetic field tester is disposed within the reactor. A method for sewage treatment using the device is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventors: Hongqiang REN, Chuan NIU, Jinju GENG, Ke XU
  • Patent number: 8721888
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment method using annularly arranged microorganism carriers in a reaction tank, which defines therein an upper reaction area, a lower reaction area and a passage area surrounded by the microorganism carriers and kept in communication between the upper reaction area and the lower reaction area. Microorganisms including nitrifying bacteria and autotrophic denitrifying bacteria are attached to the surface of each microorganisms carriers and suspending in the water of the reaction tank for causing Anammox reaction to convert NH4+ and NO2? in wastewater into nitrogen gas, achieving removal of total nitrogen compounds from water. The microorganism carriers are used to retain microorganisms in the reaction tank, enhancing the treatment efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignees: Leaderman & Associates Co., Ltd., National Chiao Tung University
    Inventors: Der-Ming Lee, Ming-Kuei Chiang, Chin-Te Chen, Keng-Chuan Sung, Jih-Gaw Lin, Sin-Han Su
  • Publication number: 20140042088
    Abstract: A bubble generating system is provided for use with a gas supply and a container having liquid therein. The gas supply can supply a flow of gas. The bubble generating system includes a gas provider, a first bubble generator and a second bubble generator. The gas provider has an input port, a first output port and a second output port, wherein input portion can connect to the gas supply. Each bubble generator has an inlet and an outlet and is connected to the gas provider. The first bubble generator is arranged to output the first portion of the flow of gas in a first direction. The second bubble generator is arranged to output the second portion of the flow of gas in a second direction, wherein the first direction is different from the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: Norifumi Yoshida, Akinori Ikeda, Chengguo Zhang
  • Patent number: 8597514
    Abstract: A water treatment unit includes a mixing chamber surrounding the upper end of a riser containing an impeller. Water can be moved from a body of water up through the riser, and out through laterally directed openings into the chamber adjacent to an air inlet. The water moving out the laterally directed openings of the stand pipe, mixes with air drawn in through the air inlet to oxygenate the water, and the oxygenated water exits the chamber into the body of water through one or more water outlets in the lower portion of the chamber due to the head developed by the inflow of water into the chamber. The outward flow of water from the chamber can cause a toroidal or other desired flow of water within the body of water surrounding the water treatment apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Bradley Innovation Group, LLC
    Inventor: James Bradley
  • Patent number: 8585901
    Abstract: A method for continuous in-situ triglyceride stabilization in FOG (Fats, Oil and Grease) commonly referred to as trap grease. The stabilization is achieved by eliminating hydrolysis and thus preventing the BTU rich triglycerides breaking down into free fatty acids (FFA) or the formation of mono- and diglycerides. A closed loop aeration and recirculation of the FOG ensures sufficient dissolved oxygen not only arresting hydrolysis but also eliminating the formation of hydrogen sulfide. The method furthermore employs the formation and continuing functioning of a biofilm for the microbiological reduction of the FOG's sulfur content. A low FFA/high triglycerides concentration as well as sulfur reduction is highly desirable, allowing for easy biodiesel fuel conversion or bio-gasification. The resulting biofuel does not exhibit the typical hygroscopic property found in B100 biodiesel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventors: Markus Johannes Lenger, Gina Helen Lenger
  • Publication number: 20130256225
    Abstract: An orbital wastewater treatment system generally including a tank assembly and at least one impeller in the tank assembly for moving mixed liquor under process about the tank assembly is provided with an wastewater inflow sensor, an impeller power meter, and a control unit for periodically and incrementally varying impeller speed and weir height in order to reduce energy consumption. Operating such a wastewater treatment system comprises flowing mixed liquor or wastewater into a treatment pool in the tank assembly, rotating the impeller within the pool to move the mixed liquor or wastewater, and adjusting, in concert, a rate of rotation of the impeller and a level or depth of the pool to reduce a rate of energy usage per unit inflow volume while maintaining at least one process parameter such as dissolved oxygen content substantially constant at a given level in the pool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Ovivo Luxembourg S.a.r.l.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Leland
  • Patent number: 8454830
    Abstract: Waste-treatment processes are enhanced through generation and introduction of specific biological populations customized to perform or favor specific tasks either during the main process, for the formation or precipitation of certain biological nutrients, or to accomplish solids formation reduction in a post-treatment process. These bacteria may be grown from specialized mixes of activated sludge and waste influent by exposing these materials to controlled environments (e.g., in an off-line treatment area). They may then be returned to the main process to perform certain tasks such as converting particulate cBOD into soluble cBOD for utilization, to reduce high solids yield organisms by supplementing the population characteristics with low yield organism characteristics, to provide biological nutrients or oxygenation assistance, to improve nitrification/denitrification efficiency, or to disfavor filamentous biology such as Norcardia sp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel R. Miklos
  • Publication number: 20130032533
    Abstract: Integrated membrane treatment systems for treatment of an aqueous solution. In embodiments, components, such as an MBR, are integrated with means to recover energy from the system, for example from an RO concentrate, to operate the other components. In embodiments including biological treatment, RO is integrated with other components, such as an MBR with the ROs ability to remove inorganic nitrogen enabling biological treatment to be performed with only partial nitrification and the MBR operated without active pH control. In embodiments, RO is integrated with a chlorine generator to convert chlorides present in the RO concentrate for an in-situ source of oxidizing biocides for disinfection purposes. Chloramines may be generated in-situ from residual ammonia and chlorides in the RO reject. In embodiments, carrier media is employed in a membrane tank to enhance removal of residual organics by the MBR and to also improve effectiveness of membrane scouring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventors: Vyacheslav Libman, Boris Eliosov
  • Publication number: 20130015128
    Abstract: An aerobic bacteria waste digester uses a rocking paddle to mix a waste fluid. A pair of spaced-apart inflatables engaged with the paddle and alternately inflated provide buoyancy forces to drive the rocking action. The paddle has two decks and a peripheral skirt. The paddle is of a trestle-type construction with light weight planks forming the decks. The position and motion of paddle surfaces and air bubbled through the fluid from below, is able to enhance bacteria colony growth and thus the rate of bio-mass digestion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventor: Gerhardt Van Drie
  • Patent number: 8318016
    Abstract: An orbital wastewater treatment system includes a tank assembly, at least one impeller, a flow-diversion mechanism, an actuator, optionally at least one sensor disposed in the tank assembly, and a control unit. The tank assembly has an anoxic zone and an aerobic zone and passages between the two zones. The impeller is disposed in the tank assembly for aeration and for moving mixed liquor under process about the tank assembly. The flow-diversion mechanism is disposed at at least one of the passages between the aerobic and the anoxic zone. The actuator is operatively connected to the gate for regulating the flow state or configuration thereof in response to a signal generated by the control unit at least partially pursuant to a predetermined schedule and/or at least partially in accordance with input from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Ovivo Luxembourg S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Leland, Frederick M. Riser, Peter W. Reko
  • Patent number: 8298411
    Abstract: A system and method reducing pollution in a body of water using biological processes is provided. The system includes a hydraulic dam generated by an induced downwelling of effluent water from a plurality of water circulating devices. A series of linearly arranged treatment sub-systems are disposed upstream of the hydraulic dam. The treatment sub-systems include a water sterilization sub-system for neutralizing harmful and undesirable micro-organisms using an ultrasonic energy generating unit. The ultrasonic energy generated, is of a frequency that disrupts cellular structures in targeted micro-organisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Absolute Aeration
    Inventors: Ricky Eugene Roberts, James Rhrodrick Key, Griscom Bettle, III
  • Patent number: 8293110
    Abstract: A sequencing batch lagoon process is carried out in a minimum of two earthen lagoons and provides the treatment of municipal or industrial wastewater. Each lagoon is operated on fill-draw basis in a sequencing manner. Raw wastewater continues entering into one of the lagoons while the other lagoon is at full liquid level. The lagoon at the full liquid level will begin to discharge when the other lagoon at filling mode is reaching the full liquid level. The lagoon at the drawdown mode continues until the liquid level is down to the lowest liquid level. The wastewater feeding is then alternated to the lagoon which is at the lowest liquid level. The lagoon at the full liquid level shall have no contamination from raw wastewater or the lagoon at the filling mode. The biological reactions occur under aerobic and anoxic conditions. The aerobic conditions occur in the liquid or above the bottom sludge while the anoxic conditions occur near or within the bottom sludge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: International Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Frankl, Michael Chyi, Shihwu Sung
  • Patent number: 8241497
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for stirring and/or aerating fluids, particularly sewage, having the following cyclically repeated steps: aerating the fluid by means of an immersed aerator for a predetermined first period of time (t1) using an aeration device (1) disposed on a carrier (3, 43) designed as a floodable hollow body (2, 42), the hollow body (2, 42) being flooded and air being brought into the fluid by the aeration device, whereby the potential for nitrification is created in the fluid; stirring the fluid by means of the immersed aerator for a predetermined second period of time (t2), the air infeed by the aeration device (1) being throttled or turned off, and previously flooded hollow body being evacuated in order to fill the hollow body (2, 42) with gar or air, the immersed aerator assuming the function of mixing device in which fluid rises upward, thus mixing the fluid, where in the potential for denitrification is created in the fluid; and an immersed aerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Bioworks Verfahrenstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Buch, Peter Kröner
  • Patent number: 8236174
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for treating wastewater. The system includes a microorganism clad structure positioned in a body of wastewater such that the microorganism clad structure is at least partially submerged in the body of wastewater. The apparatus also includes an aeration device, such as a propeller-type, surface mounted aeration device, supplying a horizontal flow of oxygenated water to the microorganisms attached to the microorganism clad structure such that the microorganisms may carry out a biological process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Aeration Industries International LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Durda, G. Shawn Brown, Cory Mortenson
  • Publication number: 20120118821
    Abstract: A biological wastewater treatment process and modular apparatus wherein activated sludge is recirculated in all of aeration, fluidized bed and return sludge phases in the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Mark Y. Kigel, Oleksandr O. Kovalenko, Leonard B. Goldman, John F. Shultis
  • Patent number: 8173019
    Abstract: A method for forming a facultative-organism-adapted membrane bioreactor by: providing a membrane bioreactor having a membrane module, aerating intensively the membrane module at a lower part thereof and maintaining the scouring against the membrane module so that an aerobic environment is formed at a middle and lower part of the membrane module, and controlling aeration intensity so that a facultative or anaerobic environment is formed around the membrane module excluding the middle and lower part thereof. The a facultative-organism-adapted membrane bioreactorformed by the method has low energy consumption, low sludge yield coefficient, and high efficiency of nitrogen and phosphorus removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Jiangxi JDL Environmental Protection Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhimin Liao, Jianzhong Xiong, Shengyun Yang, Jialin Zhou, Xingfu Jiang, Lingyun He, Qihu He, Dejin Ju, Aiguo Wan, Zhihua Yuan, Jiejun Cao, Kun Tao
  • Patent number: 8137557
    Abstract: A liquid aeration apparatus includes a vessel having sidewalls, a closed bottom end and, a liquid outlet being provided at or near the upper end. The sidewalls define a cross-sectional interior open area with a vertical depth. An air diffuser is positioned within the interior open area of the vessel. A liquid intake conduit is positioned with an inlet end located at or near the upper end of the vessel and an outlet located near the bottom end of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventor: Richard Ladouceur
  • Patent number: 8110107
    Abstract: The wastewater treatment tank results in high quality effluent meeting what is referred to as “Secondary Treatment Standard. The tank deploys in combination an Facultative Aerobic Bacterial Generators (FABG) that includes a plurality of surrounding horizontally extending bacteria supporting filters disposed in a vertical array along with a second vertical filter media disposed between the FABG and the outlet port. A facultative bacteria generator and additional bacteria supporting filters are also deployed adjacent the FABG and between the second vertical filter media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Inventor: Daniel E. Wickham
  • Patent number: 8110108
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for treating wastewater. The system includes a microorganism clad structure positioned in a body of wastewater such that the microorganism clad structure is at least partially submerged in the body of wastewater. The apparatus also includes an aeration device, such as a propeller-type, surface mounted aeration device, supplying a horizontal flow of oxygenated water to the microorganisms attached to the microorganism clad structure such that the microorganisms may carry out a biological process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Aeration Industries International LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Durda, G. Shawn Brown, Cory Mortenson
  • Publication number: 20120021507
    Abstract: Disclosed are bioreactor systems and methods to transfer a gaseous composition into a liquid composition in a closed environment. Also disclosed are bioreactor systems and methods for high-density culture of microorganisms and stably culture of activated sludge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventor: Mizhou Hui
  • Patent number: 8066879
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for passively generating a current flow in a body of water is disclosed. The passive water circulating apparatus has an aeration plate having a central opening; a plurality of flotation members joined to the aeration plate, the plurality of flotation members being adapted and disposed for maintaining buoyancy of the aeration plate above a water surface; an uplift tube member having a central orifice in fluid communication with the central opening of the aeration plate; a concentrator member disposed at an end of the uplift tube opposite the aeration plate, the concentrator member having a bottom opening in fluid communication with an upper opening, the bottom opening being wider than the upper opening and the upper opening being connected to the uplift tube member; and a plurality of bio-substrates suspended from the concentrator member below the bottom opening, the plurality of bio-substrates providing a substrate for growth of microbes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Absolute Aeration
    Inventors: James Rhrodrick Key, Ricky Eugene Roberts, Griscom Bettle, III
  • Patent number: 8057674
    Abstract: An orbital wastewater treatment system includes a tank assembly, at least one impeller, a flow-diversion mechanism, an actuator, optionally at least one sensor disposed in the tank assembly, and a control unit. The tank assembly has an anoxic zone and an aerobic zone and passages between the two zones. The impeller is disposed in the tank assembly for aeration and for moving mixed liquor under process about the tank assembly. The flow-diversion mechanism is disposed at least one of the passages between the aerobic and the anoxic zone. The actuator is operatively connected to the gate for regulating the flow state or configuration thereof in response to a signal generated by the control unit at least partially pursuant to a predetermined schedule and/or at least partially in accordance with input from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Ovivo Luxembourg S.{dot over (a)}r.l.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Leland, Frederick M. Riser, Peter W. Reko
  • Patent number: 8002986
    Abstract: Waste-treatment processes are enhanced through generation and introduction of specific biological populations customized to perform or favor specific tasks either during the main process, for the formation or precipitation of certain biological nutrients, or to accomplish solids formation reduction in a post-treatment process. These bacteria may be grown from specialized mixes of activated sludge and waste influent by exposing these materials to controlled environments (e.g., in an off-line treatment area). They may then be returned to the main process to perform certain tasks such as converting particulate cBOD into soluble cBOD for utilization, to reduce high solids yield organisms by supplementing the population characteristics with low yield organism characteristics, to provide biological nutrients or oxygenation assistance, to improve nitrification/denitrification efficiency, or to disfavor filamentous biology such as Norcardia sp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Inventor: Daniel Robert Miklos
  • Patent number: 7892433
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for treating wastewater. The system includes a microorganism clad structure positioned in a body of wastewater such that the microorganism clad structure is at least partially submerged in the body of wastewater. The apparatus also includes an aeration device, such as a propeller-type, surface mounted aeration device, supplying a horizontal flow of oxygenated water to the microorganisms attached to the microorganism clad structure such that the microorganisms may carry out a biological process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Aeration Industries International, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Durda, G. Shawn Brown, Cory Mortenson
  • Patent number: 7875181
    Abstract: A water treatment process comprising: (a) providing bioactive material in waste water, the bioactive material containing microorganisms capable of removing one or more impurities from the waste water, wherein at least 40% by volume of said bioactive material in said waste water is in granular form; and (b) passing a portion of the waste water through a membrane separator, whereby the membrane separator prevents the bioactive material from passing therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Glowtec Bio Pte Ltd
    Inventors: Tze Guan Ong, Stephen Tiong Lee Tay, Lim Teow Heng, legal representative, Joo Hwa Tay
  • Patent number: 7833416
    Abstract: A method for removing hydrocarbons from a body of water using an agitating, sucking, microbe and expelling boom is described herein. The method can include attaching the boom to a vessel and disposing the boom in the water. The method can include flowing air into a tubular of the boom to agitate material on the bed. A vacuum pressure can be provided to another tubular of the boom to flow the material to a separator. The separator can separate the hydrocarbons from the material. The method can include flowing microbes and air proximate the bed to remove hydrocarbons and to provide oxygen. The method can include attaching hoses to each tubular and to a distribution manifold, forming an ASME conduit. The ASME conduit can be sunk to the bed while the boom floats at a surface of the body of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventors: Nicholas John Pozzi, Jon Eliot King
  • Patent number: 7820047
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system has two separate but interlinked tanks containing four different zones, namely aerobic, microaerophilic, anoxic and anaerobic, for the biological treatment of the wastewater, as well as two clarification zones and a filtration unit for separation of solids from liquid. The first tank contains the aerobic, microaerophilic and anoxic zone as well as a clarification zone, while the second dank includes the anaerobic zone, a solid-liquid separation zone and a filtration unit. The aerobic zone is an airlift reactor that contains air diffusers at the bottom of the zone to introduce air into the zone. The air bubbles mix the liquid and its content of microorganisms, and provide oxygen for the aerobic biological processes that take place in this zone. Aeration also produces circulation of liquid between the aerobic zone and its adjacent microaerophilic and anoxic zones that are located at the sides and under the aerobic zone, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: BioCAST Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Laleh Yerushalmi, Michael J. Ogilvie
  • Publication number: 20100258501
    Abstract: A sequencing batch lagoon process is carried out in a minimum of two earthen lagoons and provides the treatment of municipal or industrial wastewater. Each lagoon is operated on fill-draw basis in a sequencing manner. Raw wastewater continues entering into one of the lagoons while the other lagoon is at full liquid level. The lagoon at the full liquid level will begin to discharge when the other lagoon at filling mode is reaching the full liquid level. The lagoon at the drawdown mode continues until the liquid level is down to the lowest liquid level. The wastewater feeding is then alternated to the lagoon which is at the lowest liquid level. The lagoon at the full liquid level shall have no contamination from raw wastewater or the lagoon at the filling mode. The biological reactions occur under aerobic and anoxic conditions. The aerobic conditions occur in the liquid or above the bottom sludge while the anoxic conditions occur near or within the bottom sludge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: Donald Frankl, Michael Chyi, Shihwu Sung
  • Patent number: 7794598
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bioreactor (1) for the purification of waters, said reactor comprising a cross-sectionally essentially circular or elliptical tank section (2) provided with inlet means (5) for water to be purified and outlet means (6) for purified water. The tank holds thereinside carrier material (3) on which a biofilm may develop. The tank is further provided with means (4) for supplying a fluid which contains a reaction gas required by the purification process, such that the water to be purified develops gas bubbles containing a reaction gas. The tank section is adapted to be essentially full of water during the purification process. The fluid supply means (4) are disposed on the tank wall and the reactor comprises control means for operating the fluid supply means in such a way that a spinning motion of the carrier, the water, and at least some of said reaction-gas bearing bubbles is effected thereby around a rotation centerline passing essentially through the tank's cross-sectional center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Clewer Oy
    Inventor: Gennadi Zaitsev
  • Publication number: 20100224556
    Abstract: A jet aeration apparatus for aerating a membrane bioreactor has a jet aerator and an air supply pipe. The jet aerator is disposed in the membrane bioreactor and includes a water inlet, a pump disposed below a liquid surface of the membrane bioreactor, an air inlet pipe whose air inlet is disposed above the liquid surface of the membrane bioreactor, and a jet pipe having a jet nozzle. The air supply pipe includes a connector; and the connector of the air supply pipe is connected to the jet nozzle of the jet pipe of the jet aerator. A method of using the jet aeration apparatus is also provided. The jet aeration apparatus is easy to install, quiet in operation, and features a high degree of integration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Zhimin LIAO, Jianzhong XIONG, Shengyun YANG, Jialin ZHOU, Xingfu JIANG, Lingyun HE, Qihu HE, Dejin JU, Aiguo WAN, Zhihua YUAN, Jiejun CAO, Kun TAO
  • Patent number: 7784769
    Abstract: The invention relates to an agitating device, in which a hyperboloid agitating body (6) is connected to a drive mechanism (2, 3) by means of a shaft (4). Several ribs (7) running from the circumferential boundary (Ur) in the direction of the shaft (4) are provided on the upper side (O) of the agitating body (6). According to the invention, the efficiency of the agitating device may be improved, whereby a height (h1) of the ribs (7) at least incrementally increases from the circumferential boundary (Ur) of the agitating body (6) in the direction of the shaft (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Invent Umwelt- und Verfahrenstechnik AG
    Inventor: Marcus Hoefken
  • Publication number: 20100176054
    Abstract: A process removes or eliminates altogether accumulations of solid and semi-solid, water immiscible materials adhering to walls, and equipment, particularly near the high liquid mark, in tanks of waste liquid lift stations. Compressed gas is used to generate large bubble masses of six inches to several feet in diameter within the waste liquid. As these large bubble masses rise through the liquid in the tank, convection currents generated by the rising bubbles agitate and loosen pieces of accumulations adhering to the tank and lift station equipment, resulting in a slurry of waste liquid and immiscible materials which can then be pumped from the tank by lift station equipment for further processing. In some embodiments, continuous or frequent periodic generation of the large bubble masses prevents the accumulation of such materials altogether.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Richard J. Koopmans, Kristinn G. Drewry
  • Publication number: 20100133179
    Abstract: Treatment system for wastewater containing ammonium is provided. The treatment system of the present invention includes an ammonia oxidation reactor and a membrane reactor disposed on the back of the ammonia oxidation reactor. The ammonia oxidation reactor includes biological carriers for carrying the ammonium oxidation bacteria and nitrite oxidation bacteria, a pH level controller for increasing the pH level to above 7.5, and a DO (dissolved oxygen) controller for reducing the DO content to less than 1.0 mg/L. The membrane reactor composed of a membrane and an aerator is used to separate the solids and liquids of the effluent of the ammonia oxidation reactor. In addition, a method for treating wastewater containing ammonium is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Kuan-Foo Chang, Sheng-Hsin Chang, Shwu-Huey Perng
  • Patent number: 7713415
    Abstract: Submerged media useful with or without aeration and/or mixing to enhance an aquatic environment by promoting and retaining biogrowth. The media takes the form of a cluster of individual flexible elements having free ends. The media are submerged in a liquid such as a water or wastewater treatment basin or an aquaculture environment. The media are characterized by the ability to promote and retain microbial growth. The media clusters have substantial flow through thicknesses to provide a three dimensional effect along with baffling for increased contact with the liquid being treated. The media may be thin strips constructed to avoid sticking together to allow maximum exposed surface area. The media clusters can create oxic, anoxic and anaerobic environments for maximum treatment during flow through the media cluster. The flexibility of the media elements and their free ends automatically dislodges excessive biomass buildup to avoid clogging of the media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Environmental Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Tharp, Peter Riddell
  • Patent number: 7713413
    Abstract: A process for treating biological oxygen demand (BOD), nitrogen and phosphorus containing wastewater, wherein the process includes providing wastewater influent to an oxygen-deficit aeration zone having activated sludge and mixing the wastewater influent with the activated sludge in the oxygen-deficit aeration zone to form a mixed liquor. The process further includes transferring the mixed liquor from the oxygen-deficit aeration zone to an oxygen-surplus aeration zone and transferring a portion of the mixed liquor from the oxygen-surplus aeration zone to a membrane filter wherein a filtrate is separated from sludge. In addition, the process includes recycling at least a portion of the sludge to the oxygen-deficit aeration zone as recycled activated sludge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Water Technologies Corp.
    Inventor: Dennis J. Barnes
  • Patent number: 7695624
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for treating wastewater. In one process, wastewater is directed into a treatment tank and biologically treated. The biologically treated wastewater is directed as mixed liquor from the treatment tank to a bottom portion of a downstream filtration tank having at least one submerged membrane module that extends across substantially the entire cross sectional area of the filtration tank mixed liquor is directed from the bottom of the filtration tank upwardly into the membrane module such that substantially all of the mixed liquor received in the bottom of the filtration tank flows through the membrane module. As the mixed liquor flows vertically through the membrane module, the method includes inducing at least some of the mixed liquor through walls of one or more membrane filters that form a part of the membrane module, producing a permeate stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: OTV SA
    Inventors: Martin Brockmann, Heribert Moeslang, Dietmar Schnuell, Hong Zhao, David Thaure, Pierre Girodet
  • Patent number: RE45478
    Abstract: Waste-treatment processes are enhanced through generation and introduction of specific biological populations customized to perform or favor specific tasks either during the main process, or for solids minimization purposes in a post-treatment process. These bacteria may be grown from specialized mixes of activated sludge and waste influent by exposing these materials to controlled environments (e.g., in an off-line treatment area). They may then be added back to the main process to perform certain tasks such as converting particulate cBOD into soluble cBOD for utilization, to reduce high solids yield organisms by supplementing the population with low yield organisms, to improve nitrification/denitrification efficiency, or to disfavor filamentous biology such as Norcardia sp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Daniel R. Miklos