Abstract: A method of biologically cleaning polluted water uses active sludge and at least three zones, where at least one zone operates as a biological treatment zone and at least two zones variably operate as a biological treatment zone and as a clarifying zone. By this method, the polluted water is fed to a zone operating as a permanent biological treatment zone, where a back-mixing is performed during a period between this zone and a zone variably operating as a biological treatment zone and which has operated as a clarifying zone during a previous period. As a result, the drawbacks are overcome which the known T- and V-channel methods are encumbered with.

Abstract: A bioreactor (10) comprises an elastic housing (12) and a plurality of hollow, porous fibers (14) disposed within the housing. The lumens of the fibers define an intrafiber compartment, and the outer surfaces of the fibers and the housing define an extrafiber compartment. A variable flow device (34) varies the flow of the perfusate through the intrafiber compartment. The variable flow device can include a flow restrictor (34) that variably restricts the discharge of a perfusate (26) from the intrafiber compartment or a pump for increasing the flow of the perfusate into the intrafiber compartment. The elastic housing can include a wall (28) with perforations (30) extending therethrough and an elastic membrane (32) tightly surrounding the wall or a wall with at least one expansion port extending therethrough and at least one extrafiber space expander 38 coupled to a one of the at least one expansion port.

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 sensing the oxidation/reduction potential of a treated solution and adjusting the amount of oxygen or the amount of biosolids supplied to the solution. The invention provides for a truly aerobic environment under which thermophilic microorganisms will thrive.

Abstract: A method of converting organic waste to a useful end product by aerobic thermophilic fermentation process within a short period of time, includes the steps of mixing the organic waste that naturally contains microorganisms with the porous material as a fermentation medium in a mixing digester to form a waste mixture, providing an external heat source to transfer heat into the waste mixture of the organic waste and the porous material, maintaining the waste mixture at a thermophilic temperature to create microbial symbiosis and mutualism reaction to proliferate and grow beneficial thermophilic microorganisms between the porous material and microorganisms that naturally present in the organic waste and allowing whereby the microbial reaction to accelerate the organic waste fermentation and decomposition speed and decompose the organic waste into the usefil end product within a short period of time.

Abstract: In a process for transferring oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas into water or aqueous solutions in the treatment of water or aqueous solutions, oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas is added to the water or aqueous solution continuously or at intervals through an injector and simultaneously through at least one tube sparger.

Abstract: A diffused aeration system has an aeration tank which contains a plurality or peripheral coarse bubble jet diffusers and a plurality of fine bubble jet diffusers strategically located therebetween to provide maximum oxygen transfer efficiency and mixing with little or no increase in operating power costs.

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.

Abstract: The invention provides a grease trap and a method of decomposing edible oils and fats using the grease trap. The grease trap for storing the drainage includes a drain inlet for introducing drainage from a kitchen through a drainpipe and a drain exit for discharging the drainage to a sewer, and accommodates an impeller unit having an impeller which continuously rotates to stir and splash the drainage surface, or a sprinkler unit which continuously sprinkles the drainage onto the drainage surface. The decomposing method comprises the steps of storing the drainage from a kitchen in the grease trap, supplying aerobic microorganisms into the drainage, and continuously stirring and splashing the surface of the drainage using the impeller unit or continuously sprinkling the drainage onto the drainage surface using the sprinkler unit, thereby activating the aerobic microorganisms.

Abstract: An aeration and filtration system for eliminating waste products in a fluid body having a surface floor is disclosed. The aeration and filtration system includes a support bed disposed above the surface floor of the fluid body and a filter bed of porous media disposed above the support bed. The system further includes a pump having a plurality of inlets adjacent the fluid body level, at least some of the inlets being a plurality of perforated pipes connected to the pump for drawing fluid to and through the filter bed, and a motor connected to the pump.

Abstract: Ultrapure water having a reduced amount of TOC and a low electrical conductivity is produced in correspondence with a variation in water quality of raw water. A first water tank has an anaerobic organic matter treatment chamber and an aerobic organic matter treatment chamber which are communicated with each other at their bottom portions. Activated carbon bags are arranged in upper portions of both the chambers, and Bincho charcoal is stowed in the lower portion of the chambers. With this arrangement, carbon compounds and organic nitrogen compounds in the water to be treated are biologically treated by microbes, thereby reducing the TOC. Furthermore, nitrate nitrogen generated through the organic nitrogen compound treatment process is denitrified by the anaerobic microbe, thereby reducing the electrical conductivity of the water to be treated.

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 apparatus for wastewater treatment, includes a calorie reducer first vessel having an inlet and an outlet, the outlet adapted to control the retention time of wastewater within the first vessel. A first recycle pump is connected to the first vessel to recycle wastewater from a bottom of the first vessel to a top of the first vessel through a recycle conduit, at a high velocity. The recycle conduit provides an air gap for drawing air into the first vessel. Bacteria within the calorie reducer vessel consume biodegradable food with a minimum number of bacteria while in the log growth phase. A second bio-reducer vessel is connected to the calorie reducer vessel. The bio-reducer holds a media supported above a bottom reservoir. A bio-reducer recycle pump recycles wastewater within the reservoir to be sprayed onto a top of the bio-reducer, to wash over the media. Further bio-reducers can be arranged downstream of the first bio-reducer.

Abstract: The invention provides a system 10 for treatment and purification of domestic household effluent, and for the elimination within said system of organic solid wastes, comprising elements 12 and 14 for separately collecting first and second constituents of the sewage of a domestic residential unit, lavatory sewage comprising said first sewage constituent, and bath, shower, wash basin, laundry, kitchen sink sewage and the like comprising said second sewage constituent, a first and a second dual-purpose vessel 22 and 24, each vessel having at least one inlet port 18 and 20 and at least one outlet port 26, 28, 30, 32 and being arranged so that during the time period that one of said vessels 22 receives said first sewage constituent and acts as a collector and settling tank, the remaining vessel 24 operates as an anaerobic reaction vessel, the vessel operating as an anaerobic reaction vessel carrying out a decomposition process during which the volume of sludge 34 contained therein is greatly reduced by conversion

Abstract: A facultative lagoon, an airlift aerator for such a lagoon, and a method of operating such a lagoon. The aerator includes a U-shaped body with a down flow leg and an airlift leg and a float. The float sustains the U-shaped body with respect to the surface of polluted material contained in the lagoon. The upper ends of the legs are submerged slightly beneath the surface of the material in the lagoon. The down flow leg has a water inlet and the airlift leg has the water outlet. A bubble generator is connected to a lower portion of the airlift leg. Air supplied under pressure to the bubble generator introduces bubbles into the airlift leg which establishes a water circulation through the U-shaped body. Bubbles transfer oxygen to the passing water which is disbursed through the water outlet. 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.

Abstract: A treatment system for a wastewater influent containing having a facultative tank with a vertically disposed lower anaerobic treatment zone, a middle microaerophilic treatment zone and an upper aerobic treatment zone. A baffle extends vertically in the tank in at least portions of said upper and middle zones to define a vertically extending influent section to receive the influent and an effluent section. The heavier biosolid components of the wastewater received in the influent section drop from the bottom thereof into the lower anaerobic zone for treatment and the lighter components exiting from the influent section flow into the effluent section to rise therein and be treated as they flow upwardly through said microaerophilic and aerobic zones. A lift tube for an inlet above the anaerobic zone and lifts liquid and lighter solid components into the air for aeration and flow back into the influent section. To improve efficiency, biosolids are added to the wastewater.

Abstract: A method and system for carrying out the bio-degradation of perchlorates, nitrates, hydrolysates and other energetic materials from wastewater, including process groundwater, ion exchange effluent brines, hydrolyzed energetics, drinking water and soil wash waters, which utilizes at least one microaerobic reactor having a controlled microaerobic environment and containing a mixed bacterial culture. By the method of the present invention, perchlorates, nitrates, hydrolysates and other energetics can be reduced to non-detectable concentrations, in a safe and cost effective manner, using readily available non-toxic low cost nutrients. The treatment of significantly higher concentrations of perchlorate, nitrate, etc. (<1.5 wt %) than was previously contemplated is made possible.

Abstract: A method for fluidization of a particulate bed material in a fluidized bed reactor with an upflow of fliud being treated, wherein a step of recycling said treated fluid is provided and further comprising the steps of (a) uniformly collecting at least a portion of the fluid above the fluidized bed and lifting this fluid by at least one gaslift having an intake above the bed, and (b) recycling the lifted fluid under the bed via at least one downcomer positioned within the bed. An generic apparatus for conducting the method steps in a variety of applications is also provided. The fluidized bed reactor can be used for chemical, physical chemical, biological processes, and combinations thereof in the chemical processing, food, environmental and other industries.

Abstract: A continuous loop reactor system has flow channels in the form of 3-dimensional spirals, defined by a pair of nested vortical walls and vanes which extend from the innermost of the vortical walls towards the outermost wall without contact. The vanes in combination with the vortical walls define a false bottom ditch for treating waste water, particularly for oxidative denitrification. Air exposure is limited to the beginning portion of the spiral flow pattern where the process is still in its aerobic stage. Denitrification is completed in an anoxic stage as waste water progresses further along the pattern. Aeration and motivation are provided by a lift tube/aerator assembly. By employing a false bottom, frictional surface area is decreased and sediment accumulation is eliminated between two vertically adjacent flow paths to provide energy efficient water treatment at low minimum flow rates.

Abstract: A process for treating effluents loaded with organic material, particularly wine-making effluents essential in the form of wash water, comprises pouring the effluents to be treated into a storage basin (1) and actuating a recirculation circuit (2) between this latter and an oxygenation reactor (3) for the effluents, actuating a superoxygenation device (4) when the volume of effluents stored is too great to avoid passing into anaerobic phase, then stopping the superoxygenation and maintaining the recirculation at a minimum level avoiding the passage into anoxia of the effluents, when these latter fulfill certain minimum pollution conditions. The effluents are poured over at least one purification body (5) and the purified effluents are withdrawn, until there is substantially nothing left but residual decantation sludges more or less mineralized, in the storage basin (1). These latter are treated to delay the organic components present and to lead to a substantially inert mineralized sludge.

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.

Abstract: Biological processes for treating wastewater include the conventional activated sludge process, which has continuous flow in and out of each treatment cell, and the sequencing batch reactor (SBR) process, which operates on a batch fill and draw basis. The first process operates at a constant level and requires the use of dedicated, relatively expensive external clarifiers to settle mixed liquor suspended solids and recycle activated sludge. The second process does not use separate clarifiers because treatment and settling of mixed liquor suspended solids is accomplished in a single basin, but has a variable level operation and resulting inefficient use of the treatment volume. This substantially constant level biological wastewater treatment process and system enables efficient treatment of wastewater, combining the advantages and eliminating the disadvantages of both SBR and activated sludge processes.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment apparatus including a biotreatment tank and a floating clarifier within the tank. The floating clarifier includes a floating base and a perimeter wall mounted to and beneath the floating base. A plurality of tented panels mounted to the clarifier walls forms an apertured bottom of the floating clarifier having a plurality of tortuous outlets. The biotreated wastewater from the biotreatment tank enters the floating clarifier, where the suspended solids within the biotreated water settle and descends out of the apertured bottom of the clarifier. The biotreatment tank and clarifier operate continuously while equalizing variations in the wastewater feed rate.

Abstract: The wastewater treatment unit is operable under high intermittent flow rate variations. It comprises a first clarifier in which is carried out a gravitational settling of solids and a second clarifier comprising a network of parallel plates inclined with respect to the vertical and a portion defining a collecting pit. Each plate has an upper edge positioned at a height lower than the filling level of the first clarifier to define an overflow giving access to the collecting pit. The network of plates allows to carry out a further settling of solids to create a counterflow of settled matter toward the first clarifier and a flow of clarified wastewater falling in the collecting pit. A filtering chamber is positioned above the first clarifier and comprises a filtering media supporting a biomass for digesting the organic content of the wastewater coming from the second clarifier.

Abstract: A method of biological treatment of materials by a combination of at least two groups of microorganisms forming sludges in at least two biological treatment zones treating the said materials wherein for purposes of increasing the treatment efficiency and stability at least one said sludges is conditioned in at least one sludge conditioning zone, whereby converting at least a fraction of at least one said group of organisms into organisms of another group, and thus forming the conditioned sludge, and the said conditioned sludge is fed in at least one said biological treatment zone.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the biological purification of waste water. The process includes the steps of providing a reaction tank having microorganisms therein. The reaction tank has at least one vertically arranged guide pipe therein. The guide pipe has open upper and lower ends, and is positioned so that the lower end is located at a distance from a bottom of the reaction tank. The waste water and a gas are supplied to the reaction tank to form a mixture. The supplying step includes the step of supplying the waste water under pressure to the guide pipe at the upper end, and the step of supplying the gas separate from the waste water at at least two positions into the guide pipe. The at least two positions are located at different levels and at positions downstream of the upper end, relative to a flow direction of the waste water. The mixture of the waste water and the gas are moved in the reaction tank in a cycle that passes through the guide pipe.

Abstract: A thermophilic, aerobic fermentation process is disclosed for conversion of a wide variety of organic waste materials to useful end products. The fermentation process is initiated over a period of from about 2 to 6 days by application of external heat to an uninoculated, oxygenated aqueous mixture of the waste material, and thus utilizes thermophilic microorganisms naturally present in the waste material to initiate the fermentation. After initiation of an active fermentation, additional amounts of waste material are added to the fermenting mixture on a continuous or intermittent basis to maintain the fermentation in an active state. Therefore, the process can be conducted on a continuous or semi-continuous basis, requiring about 24 to 48 hours for waste to be completely converted to end product. The process is capable of being operated over a wide pH range and can ferment acidic waste materials without the need for pH adjustment.

Abstract: Improved gas distribution and mixing is achieved in a gas/liquid mixing basin particularly for aerobic or anaerobic sewage digesters. In addition to a draft tube positioned generally centrally in the aeration or anaerobic basin and served by one or more gas-releasing diffusers, the system of the invention includes peripheral draft tubes surrounding the central draft tube, each tube having at least one gas diffuser within. The circulation of liquid and gas bubbles from the larger, central draft tube is supplemented by circulation from the peripheral draft tubes. In particular, "dead areas" or less active areas of the liquid, which are not sufficiently reached by gas-mixing from a single draft tube in many basin configurations, are reached by circulation from the peripheral draft tubes and such dead areas are virtually eliminated.

Abstract: An aquaculture process for dissolving gas in liquid by impinging two or more streams substantially and directly one to the other wherein the two streams enter an impingement zone from conveying means of substantially equal shape with a velocity greater than 2 ft/sec, wherein at least one of the streams is a gas/liquid mixture and at least one of the streams passes through a venturi prior to impingement, the impingement of the two streams taking place above a water line of an environment being discharged into so as to offset the pressure of the fluid discharging from the process, the impingement of the two streams further taking place in a contained environment such that the fluid dynamics of each stream just prior to and after the point of impingement is substantially turbulent, whereby after impingement, the streams are discharged at velocities that have substantially turbulent fluid dynamics with the discharge from the impingement zone not changing direction before discharge to the surrounding environment,

Abstract: Biological activation waste water purification method is disclosed, wherein the waste water is biologically purified in an activation process. Activated sludge is pumped into a circulation circuit comprising a flow channel and at least one distribution channel. Raw waste water is added to the activated sludge to form an activation mixture which is gradually denitrified as it flows through the circulation circuit. The activation mixture is aerated so as to suspend the activated sludge in the mixture while gradually saturating the activation mixture with oxygen so as to change the denitrifying of the mixture to the nitrifying of a mixture as the mixture flows through the circulation circuit. The activation mixture then flows to a fluidized bed filter where it is separated into purified water and activated sludge.

Abstract: A device for the biological treatment of liquids, especially sewage, including at least two compartments between which a vertical wall is inserted so that the compartments communicate with each other by free passages above and below the wall. The liquid to be treated is introduced into the compartments which contain particles which are supports for microorganisms exhibiting a density that is lower than that of the liquid to be treated. A gas is injected into the lower part of one of the compartments in order to establish, in the two compartments, a concurrent, continuous and orderly circulation of the multiphase mixture consisting of the liquid, solid and gaseous phases. In the lower part of the compartment not having gas injection, and above the recovery of the treated liquid, in the region where the change takes place in the direction of the flow passing from one compartment to the other, a system is provided for separating the less dense phases (particles, gas) from the multiphase mixture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed which provide enhanced solids-contacting vessel performance in a vessel in which untreated liquid is injected into a lower portion of the vessel so as to flow in a substantially helical and upward direct to separate the solids from the liquid in a suspended, rotating sludge blanket. The vessel is equipped with an adjustable weir extending substantially radially form the vessel center to its peripheral wall for withdrawing effluent from the vessel from a variety of locations depending upon the flow velocity characteristics of the liquid in the vessel.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a sewage treatment system and method for treating sewage by microbes. The system includes and the method uses a settling tank with residual activated sludge and mixed liquor and an activated biofilm filter. Incoming sewage into the settling tank forms a settling tank liquor mixed liquor. Increments of the settling tank liquor mixed liquor are treated in the activated biofilm filter and returned to the settling tank where the treated mixed liquor improves the quality of the settling tank liquor mixed liquor in the settling tank. The process of treating and returning incremental quantities of the settling tank liquor mixed liquor continues over a Predetermined period of time after which the sewage is fully treated.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment apparatus is provided which includes at least an aeration chamber and a clarification chamber having a common wall therebetween, a transfer port opening through the common wall between a lower portion of the clarification chamber and the aeration chamber, an aerator mechanism in the aeration chamber for creating wastewater flow currents which flow through an inlet portion of a flow augmenting device located in the common wall above the transfer port. The flow augmenting device is a conduit or pipe having a discharge outlet adjacent the lower portion of the clarification chamber through which exits the flow from the aeration chamber resulting in solid particles being agitated and returned from the clarification chamber lower portion into the aeration chamber through the transfer port.

Abstract: A multi-channel vertical shaft bioreactor having a downcomer; a riser operatively in communication with the downcomer to form a loop; an off-gas head tank; a part of the loop being through the head tank; a de-gassing plate around which effluent liquor is de-gassed to produce a de-gassed liquor and an off-gas receivable by the head tank; oxygen containing gas injection means for injecting gas into the riser; liquid influent injection means to inject influent into the riser; means to extract liquid effluent from the bioreactor; the improvement comprising one or more vertical baffle plates disposed within an upper part of the head tank to define a plurality of off-gas receiving chambers; a plurality of biofilters, a plurality of off-gas conduits in communication with the chambers and the biofilters to operably allow passage of off-gas from the chambers to the biofilters to effect off-gas aeration in the biofilters; and conduit off-gas controls for the treatment of waste water.

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

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

Abstract: An improved apparatus for treating waste mixed liquor comprising a long vertical downcomer chamber; an adjacent long vertical riser chamber; a surface basin; said downcomer chamber and said riser chamber operatively communicating directly with each other at their lower ends and through said basin at their upper ends to form a circulatory loop; means for injecting an oxygen-containing gas in said downcomer and riser chambers at depth; a flotation-sedimentation vessel adjacent said surface basin; a first waste liquor influent conduit opening into said riser chamber at depth and operatively communicating with said vessel to provide a first waste liquor influent from said vessel to said riser chamber; a treated liquor effluent first conduit opening into said riser chamber and operatively in communication with said vessel to provide a treated waste liquor first effluent to said vessel from said riser chamber; the improvement comprising a treated waste liquor effluent second conduit having an inlet opening into sai

Abstract: A method for providing a uniform plug flow through an anaerobic wastewater treatment reactor includes distributing incoming wastewater generally evenly near the bottom of reactor and evenly collecting the wastewater near an upper level thereof so as to produce upward plug flow through the reactor during filling, recycle and decanting and minimize horizontal mixing. Such plug flow encourages growth of heavier biomass near the bottom of the reactor where substrate is greatest and discourages growth of light biomass near the top of the reactor where substrate is least. Wastewater is also preferably recycled from the top to the bottom of the reactor. Apparatus is provided to be used in conjunction with the method. The apparatus is also usable in conjunction with a subsequent aerobic sequencing batch reactor.

Abstract: A method for treating municipal wastewater in an oxidation ditch activated sludge system by automated determination of the nitrogen depletion inflection point, which enables anoxic cycles to be utilized to achieve improved settling of the activated sludge by providing selective pressure against the growth of filamentous bacteria, by providing improved total nitrogen removal, by providing energy savings and by providing recovery of alkalinity.

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

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

Abstract: A floating water purification device comprising at least a treatment tank enclosing a certain water area and a float which causes the tank to float in water, is characterized by the treatment tank having a plurality of inner biological supports together with at least one water inlet and one water outlet.

Abstract: A batch wastewater treatment process using a novel sequencing batch air-lift reactor (SBALR) and upflow sludge blanket is described. The static Fill step of the sequencing batch process has an upflow feed of wastewater through an upflow sludge blanket element. This step is followed by Aerated React, Settle, and Draw steps, all of which steps are confined to the single reactor. Reactor performance is excellent with a mean COD removal rate of 99.6%, mean final effluent suspended solids of 4.9 mg/l, and sludge volume index of 67.2 ml/g. Gas hold-up and mass transfer coefficient over a range of suspended solids values are representative of conventional and high-rate activated sludge treatment processes, as well aerobic digesters. The SBALR reactor meets the oxygen demand needed for both the activated sludge and aerobic digestion process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel apparatus for enhancing the nitrification of wastewater, and a method of its use. The present apparatus comprises the addition of a plurality of submerged, fixed support means to an activated sludge system. These support means act as supports for autotrophic nitrification bacteria and are disposed in the activated sludge system so that the wastewater is substantially free of carbonaceous waste by the time it reaches the support media. A circulation system is used to bring the wastewater into contact with the support media so that nitrification can occur.

Abstract: An ecological fluidized bed system and method for the processing of polluted water to provide treated water. The system comprises a fluidized bed container containing a layer of coarse media with a layer of fine media above it which has a buoyancy substantially similar to the polluted water, and particularly pumice rock having a high surface to volume ratio, an inlet to introduce water into the container, and an outlet to withdraw treated water, and either a mechanical pump in an anaerobic operation or an airlift pump in an aerobic operation. The system includes an ecosystem such as microorganisms, benthic animals, and higher aquatic plants for the purification of the polluted water within the container, and a pump means to provide for the rapid recirculation of the polluted water within the container with the fine media as a fluidized bed, with a recirculation rate up to a thousand times the flow-through water rate, thereby providing for the rapid, efficient and effective purification of the polluted water.

Abstract: A biochemical drip board for aquariums formed of a flat board having a plurality of short posts extending down from the bottom, and at least a hanger at one end, each said short post having a very small center through hole to function as a capillary to slow down speed of water flowing therethrough and to cultivate active nitrate bacteria therein for disintegrating organic matters in water into nitrogen and ammonia and consequently preventing water from worsening.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of creating circulation of a mixture containing solid waste and water such as sludge and separating these components. The apparatus includes a tank housing, in inverted funnel-like element within the housing for constricting upward flow of a gasborne mixture, a trapped gas pocket for degassing the gasborne mixture, a containment element interposed between an effluent weir and the inverted funnel for directing downward and outward flow of the degassed mixture, and a deflecting surface in the path of the downward flow to promote settling of the solids from the degassed mixture and for allowing clarified water to rise within the containment element and the tank housing to reach the effluent weir. For aerobic treatment, a diffuser is arranged within the inverted funnel to supply air or gas to create upward flow of the gasborne mixture.

Abstract: A process for treating wastewater in a dynamic bio-sequenced manner in a single SBR reactor already filled with an activated sludge mixed liquor. In this process which is simple, fast and biologically and hydraulically "on going" and which allows one single SBR reactor to process typically twice as many batches of water per day as is presently processed within the existing SBR process, a given amount of wastewater rapidly introduced into the SBR reactor below the clear water level to cause the level of the wastewater within the tank to raise relatively uniformly and vertically and the supernatant clarified water to enter decantation pipes and be discharged out of the reactor. Then, the scum floating on top of the wastewater is collected and discharged and the mixed liquor is mixed and aerated as long as necessary to achieve the required treatment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a single basin, fill and draw wastewater treatment apparatus and method having a unique influent delivery manifold which delivers the incoming influent into a first zone that prevents hydraulic turbulence or short circuiting of un-treated influent from degrading the effluent quality during the decant phase of its cycle while continuously accommodating influent flows and reduces the internal hydraulic velocities to a slow enough rate to utilize the settling sludge blanket as a natural biological filter to absorb and treat influent flows during the air/off phase of its cycle.

Abstract: A process for the biological purification of sewage is specified, with which sewage (AW), containing dissolved pollutants, and air (LT) are fed together to a reactor (1) via at least two mutually separate nozzles (3, 4). To achieve a high substance exchange in the reactor (1), the streams of the two-substance mixture emanating from the nozzles (3, 4) are conducted so that they make impact with each other in the said reactor in an impact zone (PZ). The sewage (AW) is passed from the reactor (1) into Pa settling tank (8), in which bio sludge settles.