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.

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

Abstract: A multi-phase process for removing phosphorus from wastewater in a triple ditch or triple basin system where wastewater influent is sequentially directed to each of the three basins or ditches, sometimes referred to as first and second outer basins and an intermediate basin. During each phase of the process, the mixed liquor in at least one of the basins is subject to settling. In one or more phases of the process, the mixed liquor, in certain basins, is subjected to anaerobic and aerobic treatment. Anaerobic treatment results in the growth or proliferation of phosphorus storing microorganisms. These phosphorus-storing microorganisms take up phosphorus when the mixed liquor is subjected to aerobic conditions. One of the basins, the intermediate basin, can be designed to have a volume greater than either of the first or second outer basins. Further, the triple basin or triple ditch system is designed to transfer mixed liquor suspended solids or biomass from one basin to another.

Abstract: A process for purifying wastewater including the step: a) rating the tanks and the aeration means on the basis of the lowest pollution load, referred to as the low load, which corresponds to the plant load during dry weather; b) running the plant during dry weather, or at low load, according to the nitrogen treatment method in a tank with biological dephosphatation; c) running the plant during wet weather, or at high load, by performing the physicochemical phosphorus treatment technique and the nitrogen treatment technique in two tanks, and d) controlling the plant by detecting the load situation it is in (high load or low load) and to adapt the operating configuration of the tanks to the actual load situation.

Abstract: A soil-based disposal trench that has failed from a biomat slime is recovered by adding a facultative anaerobic bacteria to an effluent that flows into the disposal trench. The facultative anaerobic bacteria consumes the biomat slime and, in one embodiment, supplants a strictly aerobic bacteria in the soil that converts nitrites to nitrates. As a result, the facultative anaerobic bacteria interrupt the conventional process of nitrification, changing the nitrites to nitrogen gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of biological treatment of wastewater by means of activated sludge, wherein the wastewater is introduced first into an aerated activated sludge tank (B tank) and then by turns into one of several sedimentation and recirculation tanks (SU tanks), which are permanently linked with said B tank and in which a separation of activated sludge and clear water occurs, and after separation activated sludge is returned to the B tank and clear waters is drawn off; several times a day, in the SU tanks an operating cycle proceeds comprising a stirring phase (R phase), a pre-settling phase (V phase) and a discharge phase (A phase). In the R phase the activated sludge is remixed with the water, in the V phase the activated sludge settles down and in the A phase clear water is drawn off (single basin technique).

Abstract: A three-stage method used for producing biogas having a high methane content from organic substances includes aerobic fermentation, a charring and thermophilic methane fermentation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method of digesting raw animal waste using diffusers to force circulation and aerate a digesting lagoon. Several lagoons may be used in series to treat raw waste and different variations may be employed to successively digest raw waste. Aeration with slightly ozonated air facilitates a blend of aerobic and anaerobic microbes to quickly and completely digest large amounts of raw animal waste.

Abstract: Oxygen depleted wastewater is introduced as a stream into the top of a vessel containing a set of perforated triangular vanes arranged to rotate about a vertical axis. The stream is directed downwardly in the vessel along a path that traverses the path of the rotating vanes so the vanes impact the stream. The force of the impact of the vanes against the stream and the perforations in the vanes cooperate to create a fine droplet mist in the vessel. Atmospheric air drawn into the vessel is mixed and entrained in the mist so that when the mist coalesces, micro-fine size air bubbles are formed. The triangular vanes further provide a pumping action to expel a now aerated stream of wastewater from adjacent the bottom of the vessel.

Abstract: A bioreactor that has an internal sludge return function for treating wastewater is provided. Said bioreactor comprises a mixing zone (18), a static zone (28), and a mixed liquor circulation channel (26). The internal sludge return is accomplished by the integration of said static zone (28) that settles sludge, and said mixed liquor circulation channel (26) that provides a circulating stream of the mixed liquor for carrying settled sludge back to the mixing zone (18). Therefore, the microorganism concentration in the bioreactor of this invention is increased compared with conventional suspended-growth bioreactors, resulting in the improved wastewater treatment performance, reduced bioreactor size, simplified operation, reduced clarifier size, etc. The bioreactor of this invention can be operation in aerobic, anoxic, and anaerobic conditions to serve various wastewater treatment purposes.

Abstract: A soil-based disposal trench that has failed from a biomat slime is recovered by adding a facultative anaerobic bacteria to an effluent that flows into the disposal trench. The facultative anaerobic bacteria consumes the biomat slime and, in one embodiment, supplants a strictly aerobic bacteria in the soil that converts nitrites to nitrates. As a result, the facultative anaerobic bacteria interrupt the conventional process of nitrification, changing the nitrites to nitrogen gas.

Abstract: A method of purifying waste water biologically by using three particularly suitable bacteria: Bacillus sp. DT-1, Pseudomonas azelaica, DT-2, and/or Rhizobus sp. DT-5, or mixed populations thereof. The invention further relates to the bacteria and the mixed populations and use thereof in purifying waste water. The invention further relates to a bioreactor including the bacteria.

Abstract: A system and method for removing contaminants from water that has a relatively low oxygen content with naturally occurring chemoautotrophic bacteria, ferrous iron, manganese, sulfide, and other contaminants. The system comprises an oxygenation vessel for oxygenating the water and a filtration vessel having bio-filtration media with surfaces that are exposed to the oxygenated water. The chemoautotrophic bacteria propagate in the presence of the oxygenated water and deposit certain of the contaminants on the bio-filtration media as by-products. The contaminants are also precipitated in the presence of the oxygenated water and settle on the bio-filtration media in at least the filtration vessel. A secondary filtration stage can further remove contaminants from the water that were not sufficiently removed by the first filtration stage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method of digesting raw animal waste using diffusers to force circulation and aerate a digesting lagoon. Several lagoons may be used in series to treat raw waste and different variations may be employed to successively digest raw waste. Aeration with slightly ozonated air facilitates a blend of aerobic and anaerobic microbes to quickly and completely digest large amounts of raw animal waste.

Abstract: A biofilm support including a plastic biofilm support element having a maximum dimension which does not exceed 50 mm and having a specific gravity of between approximately 0.70-0.91. A method of manufacture of a biofilm support and a waste water treatment system employing the biofilm support are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the treatment of contaminated media, comprising a rotatable housing having at least one inlet (28) for gas emerging in the stirrer housing, and at least one suction opening (10; 32) for the medium to be treated. The housing is provided with a plurality of outlet openings (25; 27) arranged along its periphery. A plurality of vanes (22; 23) are arranged in the outlet openings (25; 27). A rotation transferring means (24) is provided to transfer a rotational movement to the stirrer. A method according to the invention comprises generating a vortex in the medium in such a way that an under-pressure occurs in the center of the vortex, and that a nitrogen containing gas is introduced in the center of the vortex.

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.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process and apparatus for autothermal aerobic thermophilic treatment of high strength and high temperature wastes. Waste material is injected into a reactor vessel (12) having thermophilic microorganisms to form a volume of bulk liquid in the reactor vessel (12). An oxygen-containing gas is also injected into the reactor vessel (12) for aerobic treatment of the waste material. The oxidation-reduction potential and temperature of the reactor bulk liquid are monitored and at least a selected one of the rate of injection of the oxygen-containing gas, the oxygen-transfer efficiency of the oxygen-containing gas and the volume of bulk liquid in the reactor (12) are adjusted in response to the oxidation-reduction potential and temperature of the reactor bulk liquid to maintain the temperature of the reactor bulk liquid within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A method for the biodegradation on an oil-based sludge comprising a mixture of petroleum hydrocarbons is disclosed. The method comprises forming an aqueous solution in a reactor of an oil-in-water emulsion of the oil-based sludge, bacterial culture and nutrients for the bacterial culture, the bacterial culture having the ability to grow on petroleum hydrocarbons as sole carbon source and having been isolated from a hydrocarbon contaminated soil or hydrocarbon-containing sludge or other environments rich in hydrocarbon degrading bacteria, maintainingthe aqueous solution under aerobic conditions in the reactor at a temperature of at least 10° C. for a period of time sufficient to reduce the amount of hydrocarbon by at least 25%, and discharging aqueous solution having a reduced amount of hydrocarbons from the reactor. The method may be used on sludge containing aromatics, resins and asphaltenes.

Abstract: Apparatus can comprise an anoxic zone, an aeration zone in communication with the anoxic zone, and a sedimentation zone in communication with the aeration and anoxic zones. The sedimentation zone may include a first outlet in a lower portion thereof adapted to recycle material. A device may be provided to control the flow rate of the recycle material. Another device may be positioned relative to a sedimentation zone inlet and adapted to manipulate a material flow profile as material travels into the sedimentation zone. A sedimentation zone may also define an inlet comprising an overlapped area. Methods for purifying a waste inlet material comprise the steps of providing an anoxic zone, an aeration zone and a sedimentation zone. The methods may comprise the step of recycling material from a first outlet in a lower portion of the sedimentation zone.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for treating high-concentrated organic wastewater, such as night soil or livestock wastewater, which has high levels of nitrogen and phosphorous. In particular, it is related to a method for treating night soil or livestock wastewater having high levels of nitrogen and phosphorous, comprising an anaerobic ammonium oxidizing (Anammox) step and a biopond step. The process for treating wastewater according to the present invention provides good efficiency in removing organic material and nutrients.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retrofitting existing waste water treatment facilities having at least one existing basin including installing generally vertical partitions at spaced locations in the at least one existing basin in order to divide the at least one existing basin into a plurality of treatment stage regions, installing at least one air lift in each of the plurality of treatment stage regions, loading each treatment stage regions with a quantity of floatable porous particles, supplying waste water to at least one of the plurality of treatment stage regions and allowing the waste water, but generally not the particles, to flow from at least one of the plurality of treatment stage regions to at least another of the plurality of treatment stage regions and operating the at least one air lift in each of the plurality of treatment stage regions to provide aerobic waste water flow therein in operative engagement with the floatable porous particles.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment process that provides improved reduction of total solids through endogenous respiration while reducing biochemical oxygen demand and utilizing biological nutrient reduction. The wastewater treatment process uses an efficient aeration delivery system to drastically reduce the time needed to oxidize organic matter, and recirculates, shreds and homogenizes the organic matter and microorganisms and oxygenates the entire mass many more times than traditional systems resulting in a greater biological solids digestion rate.

Abstract: A sludge digesting method uses a mixing tank providing an integral ceiling, interior wall surface and a floor surface. A vertical beam supports a mixing device engaged for movement along the vertical beam. A plurality of sparger jets protrudes from the wall surface for delivering an oxygen gas flow directly into the interior of the sludge. A second plurality of sparger jets terminates at the mixing tank floor surface for delivering oxygen gas into the mixing tank and a plurality of bubbling diffusers in a circle ⅔ of the diameter of the tank protrudes upwardly from the floor surface for delivering further oxygen gas flow into the mixing tank. The method provides for mixing and entraining oxygen into a process sludge, in an amount of between 4-45 ppm, to accelerate digestion as a batch or continuous process.

Abstract: A process for treating BOD, nitrogen and phosphorus containing wastewater. The process includes introducing wastewater influent into an anaerobic zone having activated sludge and mixing the wastewater influent with the activated sludge in the anaerobic zone to form a mixed liquor. The mixed liquor is introduced into an oxygen-deficit aeration zone, and denitrified mixed liquor from the oxygen-deficit aeration zone is recycled to the anaerobic zone for mixing therein with wastewater. The process also includes transferring the mixed liquor from the oxygen-deficit aeration zone to an oxygen-surplus aeration zone, transferring a portion of the mixed liquor from the oxygen-surplus aeration zone to a settling zone wherein a supernatant is separated from settled sludge and recycling at least a portion of the settled sludge to the oxygen-deficit aeration zone as recycled activated sludge.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention relates to a biological process for continues purification of waste water by converting its constituents to a solid form that can be easily separated using retainable biological catalysts and a novel reactor hereafter referred to as “Reverse Fluidized Loop Reactor” (RFLR) for performing the above said process.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a process and apparatus for treating biosolids resulting from the treatment of biological wastewater streams. The invention relates to autothermal aerobic treatment of biosolids where temperature is controlled by adjusting the amount of shear generated through jet aeration devices. The invention provides for a truly aerobic environment under which thermophilic microorganisms will thrive. The invention also relates to a method and apparatus for controlling foam generated in a treatment reactor.

Abstract: An odor control apparatus for a facultative lagoon, and a facultative lagoon created and maintained thereby. The apparatus includes an aerator and a cover. The aerator can include a body with an inlet and an outlet and a support such as a float. The inlet and outlet are submerged slightly beneath the surface of the material in the lagoon. Air supplied under pressure to the aerator diffuses oxygen into the aerobic layer of the lagoon. The dissolved oxygen is used in the biodegradation of the hazardous and odorous gases of the waste material that would otherwise be emitted into the atmosphere. The cover is either porous or non-porous and covers some or substantially all of the lagoon surface. The cover promotes accumulation and concentration of desirable odor degrading bacteria in the lagoon.

Abstract: A method for treating waste water and a plant designed for preventing the precipitation of carriers under the air blower installed for reaction tank or aeration tank, wherein the plant comprises an aeration tank 1 containing the carriers 2 for growing microorganism for biological treatment of waste water or the subunit 1a joined with the aeration tank through a partition wall 4 including the screen capable of separating the carriers 2, air blower 3 provided for the aeration tank or the subunit of the aeration tank, air bubble generator 5 or submerged stirrer provided under the air blower 3 for creating the flow of water so that the carriers 2 under the blower 3 can be liquidized by the flow of water created by the air bubble generator or the submerged stirrer to prevent the precipitation of the carriers 2 under the air blower 3, whereby not only the precipitation of the carriers under the air blower 3 can be prevented but also the water treatment efficiency and capacity meeting the designed numerical requirem

Abstract: A improved activated sludge system and method for treating wastewater containing contaminants is disclosed which offers a broad array of advantages over conventional activated sludge wastewater treatment systems, including smaller size, higher rates of operation, higher oxygen transfer efficiency, lower operating costs, and a substantially decreased level of excess sludge production. The improved activated sludge waste treatment system of the present invention has two processing tanks rather than the several tanks that are commonly found in activated sludge systems for treatment and sludge management equalizations, including anaerobic processes. The first processing tank is a contact tank which hosts a reaction which functions not merely to digest the maximum amount of contaminants, but instead to bind contaminants to the microorganisms through absorption, adsorption, precipitation, or digestion so that they can then be removed from the liquid in a solid/liquid separator.

Abstract: This application relates to improvements to long vertical shaft bioreactors for the aerobic biological treatment of wastewater and aerobic digestion of biodegradable sludges. The invention comprises a flow control device and method which improves hydraulic flow, inter-zonal mixing and gas transfer in such bioreactors. The flow control device includes a ported upper plate which is mounted in an upflow chamber of the bioreactor and a lower plate located below the upper plate at the juncture between mix and plug flow zones of the bioreactor which are in fluid communication. At least some of the ports in the upper plate are fitted with adjustable valves for regulating the flow of liquor therethrough and hence the size of a hydraulic head loss imposed by the flow control device. Preferably the upper plate is mounted at a location in the upflow chamber upstream from the inlet where influent is discharged into the bioreactor.

Abstract: An aquaculture wastewater treatment system is provided including three wastewater treatment subsystems. The first subsystem is comprised of a fish raceway solids removal channel populated with relatively high densities of a detritivorous fish such as tilapia and/or carp, that have high potential as an efficient means of feeding on, and thereby, removing suspended solids and particulate matter that are present in the primary fish production effluent. The second wastewater treatment subsystem is comprised of an enhanced form of nitrifying reactor termed the Suspended Media Ammonia Removal Technology (SMART) biofilter reactor subsystem. This water treatment component consists of an open ditch bioreactor oxidation vessel in which water is circulated by means of one or more powered paddlewheels.

Abstract: Wastewater treatment systems which utilize an interacting surge anoxic mix zone for facilitating nitrogen removal and an aerobic sequential batch reaction, clarification and decantation zone for facilitating aeration for BOD removal and nitrate production for the surge anoxic mix zone. Sludge reduction may also be accomplished by anaerobic recycle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for biologically treating a fluid sufficiently charged with organic materials, the method being performed in a tank and the fluid being: first subjected to a mixing and acidifying step (A), subsequently in a heavy load step (B) during which activated-sludge is re-circulated and then in a light load step (C) subjected to anaerobic degradation whilst producing methane gas, and subsequently treated in a secondary sedimentation step (D) from where the sludge can also be re-circulated, and the biogas which is produced in the heavy load step (B) and the light load step (C) is collected.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system for treating a wastewater stream from industrial and municipal sources uses a control system to sequence and supervise the treatment steps in a batch flow mode of operation or a continuous flow mode of operation. In operation, the wastewater treatment system predominantly operates in the batch flow mode. However, the wastewater treatment system operates in a continuous flow mode when the influent wastewater stream exceeds the system's nominal design flow transition point. The control system receives an input signal, relating to the influent flow rate, and switches one or more reactors of the wastewater treatment system from the batch flow mode to a continuous flow mode according to a control algorithm.

Abstract: A diffused aeration method carried out in an aeration tank which contains a plurality of coarse bubble jet diffusers and a plurality of fine bubble jet diffusers strategically located to provide aeration in an inductive downward flow stream induced by the coarse bubble jet diffusers. The method increases oxygen transfer efficiency and mixing with little or no increase in operating power costs.

Abstract: A process for treating water to reduce pollutants using a fluidized bed (41) supporting microorganisms, ozonated pollutants and a carbon source for the microorganisms is described. The process provides very efficient degradation of the pollutants in drinking water, for instance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating biogenic residues, especially cafeteria leftovers, meat refuse, clarification sludge, organic industrial wastes and the like, wherein the residues are subjected to temperature pressure hydrolysis. In order to obtain a higher flow rate for residues using a small apparatus, the invention provides that temperature pressure hydrolysis is carried out in a cylindrical section in a first direction and in an external radial section in a second direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for the treatment of wastewater. One embodiment includes an anaerobic reactor and aerobic reactor. A terminal settling tank includes an upflow anaerobic reactor comprising an inlet mounted at the external lowest region of the anaerobic reactor. An introducing mechanism is directly connected to the inlet and located at the lower region in the anaerobic reactor and has a perforated drain pipe therein. A mixer is provided at the main shaft. A discharge is provided for allowing reaction water, which contains some portion of sludge generate by the mixer, to flow into the aerobic reactor. A sludge-accumulator is provided for collecting the sludge, which is settled by gravity during the reaction and produced by the mixer, to the center of the anaerobic reactor.

Abstract: An aerobic treatment apparatus and method of treating effluent transported from a septic tank. The effluent flows into a large enclosed holding tank and a small enclosed production tank located in the holding tank. The effluent within the production tank is intermittently pumped through an air modified venturi flow system and through directional jets from which it mixes with and increases oxygen content in the effluent in the holding tank. A timer in communication with the pump controls the period of pumping. The treated and mixed effluent is transported to a disposal field.

Abstract: A compact nitrogen reduction wastewater treatment system for treating a waste liquid, the system comprising a single tank. The tank includes an inlet, an aerobic treatment compartment, an anoxic treatment compartment, a suspended micromedia compartment, an aerator, and a tank outlet. The aerobic treatment compartment includes aerobic treatment bacteria and is in fluid communication with the tank inlet. The anoxic treatment compartment is laterally disposed relative to, and in fluid communication with, the aerobic treatment compartment. The suspended micromedia compartment includes separating media. It is positioned laterally relative to, and is in fluid communication with, the anoxic treatment compartment. The suspended micromedia compartment is also laterally disposed relative to, and in fluid communication with, the aerobic treatment compartment.

Abstract: A waste and wastewater treatment and recycling system separates blackwater and greywater at their respective sources and includes a waste separation system for decomposing the blackwater into water vapor and carbon dioxide gas, a wastewater treatment system for circulating, aerating, and separating the greywater into precipitated solid matter and treated water, and a filtration, disinfection, and water recycling system for filtering and disinfecting the treated water to form recyclable water. The precipitated solid matter is transferred to the waste separation system and the recyclable water is passed through a membrane filtration system to form potable water. A monitoring system monitors and controls operation of the waste separation system, the wastewater treatment system, and the filtration, disinfection, and water recycling system.

Abstract: An integrated treatment process and apparatus is provided for removing selected contaminants from both liquid and gaseous waste streams. A multistage separation and bio-oxidation substrate is provided in a column through which the contaminants are passed. The substrate components provide absorption, adsorption, ion exchange, solubility, and bio-degradation qualities to the column to effectively separate and destroy a wide range of contaminants in industrial waste streams.

Abstract: A method and equipment are disclosed for tertiary sewage treatment by naturally-occurring microorganisms after the sewage has passed from a septic tank or other primary treatment device. Tertiary treatment occurs within enclosed, controlled conditions in a recirculation tank housing a recirculating spray system and a filter bed. The recirculation process is controlled by a timer and a timer float responding to the wastewater level in the recirculation tank. A mixing zone is provided in a bottom portion of the recirculation tank.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for purifying protein containing waste water, In which a) a first insoluble material is caused to form in the waste water, b) the mixture obtained in step a) is separated to form pre-purified waste water, c) the pre-purified waste water is treated with aerobic microorganisms and d) the mixture obtained in step c) is separated to form finely purified waste water, and in which step b) and step d) are carried out in the same device. Preferably, steps b) and d) are alternately carried out in the same device.

Abstract: An improved method for aeration of septic tanks and the like by drawing atmospheric air into an expansion chamber and from there into agitated sludge to provide low pressure small microbubbles which have long hold times in the sludge material.

Abstract: A looped cord biomedia filter cartridge is employed in a trickle tower filter to quickly and efficiently process wastewater. A base tank holds a volume of wastewater to be processed. The filter cartridge is mounted on top of the base tank and comprises a cylindrical frame having a plurality of upper and lower concentric hanger rings. The looped cord biomedia is interlaced, under tension, between the upper and lower concentric hanger rings to create a plurality of parallel, vertically extending, linear lengths of looped cord biomedia. The concentric hanger rings are radially spaced, and include circumferentially spaced notches for interlacing the looped cord biomedia. The spaced lengths of looped cord biomedia provide increased surface area while allowing sufficient space for water flow and air flow. Tensioning of the biomedia creates a highly desirable laminar downward flow of wastewater over the surfaces of the biomedia.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a process and apparatus for treating biosolids resulting from the treatment of biological wastewater streams. The invention relates to autothermal aerobic treatment of biosolids where temperature is controlled by adjusting the amount of shear generated through jet aeration devices. The invention provides for a truly aerobic environment under which thermophilic microorganisms will thrive. The invention also relates to a method and apparatus for controlling foam generated in a treatment reactor.

Abstract: A waste water purification process, in particular a continuous waste water purification process is disclosed, as well as a waste water purification plant system, in particular for continuous waste water purification. Waste water is purified in that an aerated mixture of waste water with activated sludge is degassed before being discharged into the secondary settling basin. The waste water purification system has a venting device that connects the aerating container or a separate chamber thereof to the secondary settling basin or a separated chamber thereof. The venting device is designed as a U-shaped tube. One of its branches forms the supply collecting pipe and the second branch forms the discharge collecting pipe, whereas the section that interconnects its two top ends delimits the intermediate chamber that contains a separate gas suction chamber.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system has a tank and at least one baffle disposed in the tank so as to subdivide the tank to form a treatment chamber and a clarification or settling chamber. The baffle is inclined relative to vertical, so that the clarification chamber tapers from an upper end to a lower end. The lower end of the clarification chamber is provided with a plurality of mutually spaced orifices or apertures communicating with a lower region of the treatment chamber, so that sludge settling in the clarification chamber is directed to the lower region of the treatment chamber via the orifices. The clarification chamber is further provided at its lower end with a plurality of substantially vertical partitions defining a plurality of hoppers communicating with respective orifices for guiding sludge to the orifices. A recycle pump and a distribution manifold serve to recycle wastewater from the treatment chamber to the clarification chamber.