And Anaerobic Treatment Patents (Class 210/630)
  • Patent number: 7235178
    Abstract: Process for treating waste water on ships in which the waste water is pretreated by surface filtration, the pretreated waste water being collected in a first tank acting as a mixing tank and optionally enriched with oxygen. The waste water from the first tank is continuously fed to a three stage bioreactor, in which aerobic waste water treatment takes place in a second tank, waste water is fed in batches from a second tank to a third sealed tank, in which denitrification and sedimentation of the solids takes place. Water from the third tank is fed into a fourth tank acting as a settling tank with the largest part of the sludge being recirculated in batches from the third tank into the first tank and, after disinfection, the water from the fourth tank is subjected to fine filtration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Hamann AG
    Inventors: Knud Hamann, Holger Hamann
  • Patent number: 7211429
    Abstract: An organic waste material treatment process comprising subjecting the organic waste material to conditions under which anaerobic digestion occurs followed by conditions under which aerobic composting occurs. Preferably, the organic waste material is pre-conditioned before anaerobic digestion by subjecting the organic waste material to aerobic composting conditions to facilitate a rise in temperature of the organic waste material. The treatment process is conducted in a single vessel, wherein air and water are evenly distributed to the contents of the vessel. A plurality of vessels may be interconnected, such that water may be extracted from one vessel, whose contents have undergone anaerobic digestion, then recirculated to an interconnected vessel to facilitate conditions for anaerobic digestion of the contents of the interconnected vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Organic Resource Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Tomasz Rudas
  • Patent number: 7208090
    Abstract: Wastewater treatment controls that maintain the ORP of a mixed liquor at a relatively stable value during a wastewater treatment process such as an aerated-anoxic wastewater treatment process. The wastewater treatment control may compare a setpoint value of ORP and a measured value of ORP of the mixed liquor, generate a control signal based at least in part on the comparison, and control a biological nutrient removal control parameter using the control signal. Values corresponding to the control signal may be acquired and utilized to adjust the setpoint value of ORP to maintain stable operating conditions of the wastewater treatment process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: USFilter Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Stark Applegate, David W. Dubey
  • Patent number: 7195712
    Abstract: Provided is a wastewater treatment apparatus for removing nitrogen and phosphorus having an anaerobic tank, an anoxic tank, an aerobic tank and a clarifier, wherein the aerobic tank includes has a baffle installed at one side thereof to form a dissolved oxygen reducing zone for reducing the concentration of dissolved oxygen contained in internally recycled wastewater returned from a dissolved oxygen reducing zone while increasing the concentration of dissolved oxygen contained in treated effluent supplied from a part other than the dissolved oxygen reducing zone of the aerobic tank to a clarifier in a subsequent stage. Since organic matter present in wastewater is effectively used, the efficiency of removing nitrogen and phosphorus can be increased and the amounts of oxygen required throughout the treatment process and organic matter required for denitrification can be reduced. Also, synthesis of cells of microorganisms is suppressed. Therefore, the repair and maintenance costs can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong Bok Park, Jae Jin Lee, Yong Dae Jeong, Gyung Hae Aoh
  • Patent number: 7172699
    Abstract: In a wastewater treatment plant, the liquid side of the plant has preferably four stages for nitrification and/or denitrification, prior to further treatment such as a clarifier. Energy requirements are reduced by reducing aeration requirements. Four or more tanks/zones comprise serial anoxic and aerobic stages, but in the anoxic stages simultaneous nitrification/denitrification takes place in accordance with the known process of U.S. Pat. No. 5,906,746. By this arrangement the system can achieve a volume ratio of about 20% aerobic tankage to the total tankage volume, as compared to a much higher ratio in a typical prior art system of serial aerobic/anoxic stages, and greatly reducing aeration requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Eimco Water Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Hiren K. Trivedi, James Porteous
  • Patent number: 7144509
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for treating contaminants in water under anaerobic conditions is disclosed. The method includes adding to contaminated water a composition including an aqueous mixture of at least one carbohydrate and at least one alcohol and/or bacteriastat. The apparatus includes a source of growing nitrifying bacteria effective for treating contaminants under aerobic conditions, a source of growing bacteria effective for denitrification under anaerobic conditions, and a controller for introducing the growing bacteria in a predetermined amount over a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Environmental Operating Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven H. Boyd, Abdul R. M. Azad
  • Patent number: 7105091
    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: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Treatment Sciences, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel R. Miklos
  • Patent number: 7087169
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system includes a vertical flow marsh cell that is adapted to contain media and to support plants having roots extending into the media, the roots and media positioned to contact water flowing downward through the marsh cell during a flooding stage, the media and plant roots providing surfaces to which biofilms can adsorb, the biofilms containing bacteria adapted to adsorb ammonium ions and nitrify ammonium ions to nitrate during an aerated drained phase. The marsh cell is configured to receive water from an outlet of a horizontal wetland that functions essentially anaerobically/anoxically to contain bacteria for transforming nitrate into nitrogen gas. Water to be treated and water exiting the marsh cell outlet are transportable to a wetland inlet, providing dilution of incoming wastewater. Treated water is discharged from the wetland outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Dharma Living Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: David C. Austin
  • Patent number: 7087170
    Abstract: A system for treating wastewater containing organic compounds is provided, comprising an anaerobic bioreactor, an aerobic bioreactor disposed rearwardly of the anaerobic bioreactor, and a membrane separation reactor disposed rearwardly of the aerobic bioreactor. The system is capable of removing organic pollutants in wastewater through biological treatment process and separating solid from the liquid ones by using a membrane. By employing the system for treating wastewater containing organic pollutants, organic pollutants can be effectively eliminated and the problem of scaling and fouling on the surface of the membrane prevented, thus achieving the objectives of lowering cost and improving efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Huey Song You, Ming Jing Perage, Sheng Shin Chang, Yih Chang Chen, Shwu Huey Perng
  • Patent number: 7060186
    Abstract: A batch process and apparatus for treating wastewater in a system employing anaerobic and aerobic zone reaction vessels under elevated pressure is disclosed in which an amount of processed activated sludge material is charged into an aerobic zone and wastewater to be processed from an inlet supply charge system is used to fill one or more aerobic zones. The charge system is pressurized by introducing high pressure air which is continuously infused and the material is circulated among anaerobic and aerobic zones as a multi-phase bubble flow while venting an amount of circulated air of lower oxygen content through a vapor release system. After treatment, the system pressure is reduced over a timed interval through the vapor release system, and the treated batch is discharged to an effluent storage system for separation of treated water and sludge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Inventor: John L. Petering
  • Patent number: 7056438
    Abstract: The wastewater treatment system includes at least one fluidized bed reactor, such as a vessel containing media to which biofilms may attach. The vessel has an inlet and an outlet adjacent a bottom, and an overflow outlet adjacent a top, of the vessel. An element for admitting wastewater into the vessel and for agitating wastewater therein with sufficient energy to scour biofilm from the media, and for admitting additional wastewater into the vessel following a predetermined time to a level sufficient to cause water and at least some of the scoured biofilm to exit via the overflow outlet. Wastewater is drainable through the bottom outlet after a predetermined time for permitting aeration of the media. These fill and drain cycles effect a “tidal” nitrification and denitrification of the wastewater, with, for example, ammonia being converted ultimately to nitrogen gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Dharma Living Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: David C. Austin
  • Patent number: 7033503
    Abstract: Disclosed are efficient municipal wastewater treatment apparatus and process characterized in that the nitrogen is removed by nitrification and denitrification reaction in the cyclic aeration reactor wherein Anaerobic state, Anoxic state and Oxic state are change into time concept in a single reactor, and the untreated organic materials are further removed by the 24-hour-continuous reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Korean Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Wan Cheol Park, Tae Hyung Kim, Seung Ho Lee, Chang Ju Lee, Mi Ae Lee
  • Patent number: 7025883
    Abstract: The present invention describes novel biological methods for efficiently reducing nitrate levels and otherwise conditioning aquarium water and water in similar environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: OK Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Laurent Olivier
  • Patent number: 7014769
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for reducing the nitrate concentration in wastewater within a wastewater treatment apparatus configured to define an aeration zone and a quiescent zone or dilution zone. The method comprises the step of ceasing airflow into the aeration zone for a predetermined time period or until the dissolved oxygen level within the wastewater has reached a predetermined threshold. The method also comprise the step of mixing the wastewater in the aeration zone to prevent suspended particles within the wastewater in the aeration zone from settling and to avoid substantially disturbing the quiescence of the quiescent zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Pentair Pump Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Raleigh L. Cox, Christopher E. Cox, Brenda Guy, Michael D. Catanzaro, Murphy M. Arcemont, III, Travis L. LeJeune
  • Patent number: 7008538
    Abstract: A process for treating wastewater and a system for practicing the process includes: providing a plurality of zones within a single vessel wastewater treatment system; feeding wastewater into the system; maintaining an aerobic zone in the upper central portion of the vessel; feeding air into the aerobic zone for oxygenation and creating an upflow; maintaining an annularly disposed anoxic zone about said aerobic zone; causing the upflow from the aerobic zone to produce a downflow in the anoxic zone; causing at least a portion of the downflow from the anoxic zone to pass into the upflow of the aerobic zone; maintaining an annularly disposed clarification zone about said anoxic zone for clarified liquid, including an upflow; causing at least a portion of the downflow from the anoxic zone to pass into the upflow of the clarification zone; maintaining a facultative transition zone below the upper aerobic, anoxic and clarification zones; maintaining an anaerobic zone below the facultative zone for absorbing solids s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Inventors: Kaspar A. Kasparian, Eric Verret
  • Patent number: 7005068
    Abstract: Novel methods and apparatuses are disclosed for the treatment of wastewater to reduce often associated offensive odors by promoting aerobic conditions through decreasing the amount of oxygen required to maintain aerobic cultures and/or aerobic biological activity in the wastewater. Also, the wastewater is screened or otherwise separated the wastewater to remove or concentrate the solids which are anaerobically digested. By concentrating the solids, a smaller digester can be used. The anaerobic digestion produces biogas that may be collected and used, or burned by a flare or oxidized by a semipermeable membrane to deodorize the biogas. The heat produced from the biogas may have a variety of uses, including raising the temperature of the anaerobic digester and the bacterial metabolism. The wastewater is also clarified to remove nitrogenous and organic carbon wastes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Hoffland Environmental, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert O. Hoffland
  • Patent number: 6936170
    Abstract: A biofilter system of the present invention utilizes an Alternating-Aerobic-Anoxic (AAA) process in a single reactor to provide efficient and cheap removal of carbonaceous materials, nitrogenous materials, and/or mixtures thereof from aqueous waste. The biofilter system of the present invention is particularly suitable for treating aqueous waste from aquaculture, industrial processes and animal husbandry. The biofilter system includes: a main biofilter chamber containing therein aerobic and anaerobic bacteria without physical separation; an inlet port and an outlet port connected to the main biofilter chamber; and a means for oxygenating the aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in the main biofilter chamber, including means for timing the oxygenation of the aerobic and anaerobic bacteria to provide alternating periods of high-oxygen conditions and anoxic conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: Wen K. Shieh, Leon Weiss, Shu K. Tai
  • Patent number: 6926830
    Abstract: A new biofilm-activated sludge Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) treatment process for sewage or wastewater has successfully been developed as the third generation SBR (SBR3). This new SBR3 process utilizes a multi-stage and multi-sludge SBR configuration receiving either continuous or intermittent inflow of wastewater. Each stage has individually controlled continuous or alternating anaerobic/anoxic/aerobic operation, with or without mixing and recycling from the other stage(s). The configuration and operation is dependent upon the treatment objectives and effluent discharge requirements. In the preferred embodiment, carriers are used to facilitate control of operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Kingsford Environmental (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventors: Kin Man Ho, Paul F. Greenfield, W. Wesley Eckenfelder, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6896805
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system includes a vertical flow marsh cell that is adapted to contain media and to support plants having roots extending into the media, the roots and media positioned to contact water flowing downward through the marsh cell during a flooding stage, the media and plant roots providing surfaces to which biofilms can adsorb, the biofilms containing bacteria adapted to adsorb ammonium ions and nitrify ammonium ions to nitrate during an aerated drained phase. The marsh cell is configured to receive water from an outlet of a horizontal wetland that functions essentially anaerobically/anoxically to contain bacteria for transforming nitrate into nitrogen gas. Water to be treated and water exiting the marsh cell outlet are transportable to a wetland inlet, providing dilution of incoming wastewater. Treated water is discharged from the wetland outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Dharma Living Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: David C. Austin
  • Patent number: 6881338
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system includes a first lagoon having an inlet for receiving wastewater to be treated and a first vertical flow marsh cell having a bottom outlet. Water can be transported from the first lagoon to the first marsh cell. A second lagoon has an inlet for receiving water from the first marsh cell outlet and a second vertical flow marsh cell having a bottom outlet. Water can be transported from the second lagoon to the second marsh cell. At least a portion of the water exiting the second marsh cell outlet can be recycled to the first lagoon. The first and the second lagoon are adapted to function essentially aerobically and to contain plants having roots positioned to contact water flowing thereinto. The first and the second marsh cell are adapted to contain plants having roots positioned to contact water flowing thereinto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Dharma Living Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Austin, Eric Lohan
  • Patent number: 6881339
    Abstract: There is a disclosed or process for treating industrial waste water highly loaded with ammonium, by treating the waste water with nitrifying microogransims (nitric bacteria) in the presence of a suspended carrier substance with a specific surface area of >20 m2/g and optionally a denitrification with denitrifying microorganisms (denitrifying bacteria). According to a modification of the process, a finely-divided carbon-containing material with a surface-pH value of around 6 to 9 is used instead of the silicate carrier substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Sud-Chemie AG
    Inventors: Undine Gabriele Högl, Christian Eric Högl, Cindy Diana Högl, Maximilian Högl
  • Patent number: 6875357
    Abstract: A process for removing organic contaminants, nutrients and suspended solids from waste water. A three-phase cycle is used, consisting of a mix fill phase, a react fill phase and a react discharge phase. The process eliminates the need for separate basins for anaerobic and anoxic conditions, appropriate time periods for a quiescent environment for solids/liquid separation and mechanical decanter devices normally required to extract the desired effluent quality in conventional sequencing batch reactor systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Mikkelson, Lloyd W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6872313
    Abstract: A method for treating domestic wastewater, in situ, in a single tank. The use of which obviates the need for traditional septic tanks as well as lessening the burden, and reliance on, central water treatment plants. The resulting water is stored for non-potable reuse, thus lessening impact on public water supplies for domestic-utility use. The method is not limited to residential use but is equally applicable to boats, recreational vehicles, hotels, resorts, clubs, rest areas, apartment complexes, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Agrimond USA Corporation
    Inventors: Nidal A. Samad, Alfredo J Teran, W Todd Willoughby
  • Patent number: 6833074
    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: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Inventor: Daniel Robert Miklos
  • Patent number: 6830689
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: United States Filter Corporation
    Inventors: Sun-Nam Hong, Hong W. Zhao, Richard W. DiMassimo
  • Publication number: 20040222150
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: Sun-Nan Hong, Hong W. Zhao, Richard W. DiMassimo
  • Patent number: 6773592
    Abstract: A method of treating waste water and particularly sewerage is disclosed. The method involves treating the conduit system making up the sewerage network before it reaches a typical sewerage treatment plant. A key feature of the method involves introducing an inoculum of selected micro-organisms into a quiescent zone in the conduit system. The quiescent zone is where the water is significantly slowed in its passage along the conduit system and may even be temporarily stationary eg, a pumping well or low point in two sections of pipe. Applicant has ascertained that undesirable micro-organisms tend to flourish in these quiescent zones. By introducing the inoculum a competitive culture of favourable micro-organisms is incubated which is able to out compete the undesirable micro-organisms and lead to break down and degradation of the sewerage in the conduit system before it gets to the treatment plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventors: Kenneth Michael Bellamy, Robert Kingsley Newton
  • Patent number: 6773595
    Abstract: Compartmentalization of contents of a facultative lagoon into two separate zones improves the economic efficiency of the lagoon for emission control by eliminating macroscopic mixing between the zones, while allowing odor-causing compounds from the anaerobic zone to pass into the aerobic zone. A physical barrier compartmentalizes or divides the lagoon contents into an upper aerobic zone and a lower anaerobic zone. Odor-causing compounds biologically convert within the aerobic zone into olfactorily inoffensive compounds that release into the atmosphere. An aeration device aerates the aerobic layer. Emission of hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, volatile acids, phenols and other odorous gases from anaerobic wastewater and manure lagoons or basins is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventor: Charles J. Gantzer
  • Patent number: 6770198
    Abstract: The current invention relates to treatment of waste water and in particular to treatment of sewerage effluent. The current invention broadly resides in a method of treating waste water in a waste water reticulation system including inoculating the waste water with an inoculum of selected microorganisms at a site prior to the treatment plant in the waste water reticulation system or discharge site where there is no treatment plant in the waste water reticulation system; and incubating the waste water inoculated with the selected microorganisms to form a culture that reduces waste in the inoculated waste water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Inventors: Robert Kingsley Newton, Kenneth Michael Bellamy
  • Patent number: 6758972
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treatment of wastewater. More particularly, the methods of the present invention are designed for the biological removal from wastewater of contamination in the form of insoluble suspended solids and soluble and insoluble organic and inorganic material, including nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients. A wastewater treatment process is described, which process is a hybrid continuous flow, cyclic operating, substantially constant level, activated sludge process with a symmetric functional cycle. In this functional cycle each compartment of a reactor is subsequently in a different functional phases, which functional phases are continuously separated: phase 1, phase 2, phase 3, phase 4, phase 1, phase 2, phase 3, phase 4, etc. . . . The symmetric functional cycle allows for symmetric (equal) influent distribution and therefore symmetric sludge and oxygen demand distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Inventors: Luc Vriens, Ron Gerards
  • Patent number: 6743362
    Abstract: A sewage treatment plant, on the liquid side, is operated so as to effect nitrification and denitrification within a single tank and simultaneously to remove water, without the need for separate clarification. An aerobic/anoxic zone is maintained in a single tank, wherein the SymBio process of U.S. Pat. No. 5,906,746 is maintained. This is combined with the advantages of an MBR process, by placing a series of membrane separators within the tank and continuously withdrawing nearly pure water. Supplemental process air provided in the MBR tank is controlled by the SymBio process to maintain simultaneous nitrification and denitrification in a single tank and thus reducing the additional process air requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Enviroquip Inc.
    Inventors: James Porteous, Hiren K. Trivedi, Dennis C. Livingston
  • Patent number: 6730225
    Abstract: A system and method for treating wastewater including: delivering untreated wastewater into a permeable container disposed in an impoundment. A wastewater input moves untreated wastewater to the interior of the permeable container. Treated wastewater is flowed through the permeable container and is removed via a wastewater output. A method of practicing wastewater treatment, comprising the steps of delivering untreated wastewater into a permeable container contained within an impoundment; treating the wastewater in the permeable container; moving treated wastewater from the interior of the permeable container to a position between the interior of the permeable container and the exterior of the impoundment; and removing the treated wastewater from the impoundment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventors: Michael L. Duke, Jack Fowler
  • Patent number: 6730226
    Abstract: A method for purifying water including nitrification by aerobic bacteria and denitrification by anaerobic bacteria in an apparatus by providing an elongated, closed water channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: Shunsuke Takada
  • Patent number: 6723242
    Abstract: In the method of processing an organic chlorine compound in accordance with the present invention, slurry containing fly ash K including dioxins are supplied from a pretreatment bath to a biological treatment bath of a processing apparatus; nitrifying bacteria, denitrifying bacteria, aqueous ammonia, and methanol are supplied to the slurry from a nitrifying bacteria storage bath, a denitrifying bacteria storage bath, an ammonia storage bath, and a methanol storage bath, respectively; and a nitrifying reaction is carried out by the nitrifying bacteria in an aerobic atmosphere, so as to decompose the dioxins along with the nitrifying reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanobu Ohkata, Eiichi Nishikawa, Kohei Miki, Jirou Satou, Isamu Inoue
  • Patent number: 6720176
    Abstract: Liquid chemical compositions are disclosed for anaerobic biodegradation, detoxification, and transformation of toxic organic and inorganic compounds in a contaminated geologic media under reducing conditions, including, but not limited to, denitrifying, manganese-reducing, iron-reducing and sulfate-reducing conditions. One such liquid chemical composition includes sodium nitrate in the range of one-fifth (0.2) to four (4) pounds per gallon of the chemical composition; sodium hexametaphosphate or other biologically hydrolyzable ring or linear polyphosphate in the range of one twentieth (0.05) to five (5) pounds per gallon of the chemical composition; a surfactant in the range of 0.01% to 10% by volume of the chemical composition; and a diluent in the form of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Geovation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Christian Hince, Robert L. Zimmer, Timothy H. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6712970
    Abstract: In the liquid side of sewage treatment process, a combination aerobic/anoxic stage is closely monitored such that phosphorus can be removed as well as nitrogen. As in a known process, the aerobic/anoxic stage is monitored as to a coenzyme of the active bacteria. When the bacteria of flocs within this stage show a switch to anaerobic condition via such coenzyme, the low dissolved oxygen level in the stage is maintained for a preselected period of time or to a preselected extent of the anaerobic condition, before oxygen is added. This somewhat brief anaerobic condition within the flocs is sufficient to release significant amounts of phosphorus into the liquid. When aeration then is increased, enhanced biological phosphorus uptake is effected. A small aerobic stage is included after the aerobic/anoxic stage to ensure maximum phosphorus uptake, and in one embodiment this stage includes a membrane separator, allowing downstream secondary clarification to be eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Enviroquip, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiren K. Trivedi
  • Patent number: 6709593
    Abstract: The invention relates to problematic waste water with highly concentrated impurities, for example seepage water from a refuse dump, which is anaerobically degraded in an anaerobic treatment zone (digester) and the digested sludge arising therefrom is mechanically de-watered. Simultaneously, communal waste water is purified in a purification plant containing an aerobic treatment zone, wherein advanced nitrification/denitrification and/or phosphorous elimination can be activated/started by recycling oxygen and nitrate rich water and sludge back into the inlet area. In the aerobic purification zone, the excess digested sludge, in which a large part of the AOX load of the communal waste is incorporated, is mechanically de-watered and is discharged into the anaerobic purification zone (digester), in order to degrade the AOX load by decomposition. The degree of dewatering of the excess sludge is controlled according to the amount of problematic waste water to be processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Inventor: Günter Lorenz
  • Patent number: 6660518
    Abstract: Provided by the invention is a reactor for two-phase methane fermentation of organic waste materials such as livestock excrements which can be operated for a long period with stability. The apparatus comprises an acid fermentation tank (1) connected to a feed tank, a methane fermentation tank (2) partitioned from the acid fermentation tank (1) with a partition wall (4) having a gate valve (4A) and a settling tank (3) partitioned from the methane fermentation tank (2) by a second partition wall (5) having a gate valve (5A) and the space in the upper part of the methane fermentation tank (2) serves as a gas holder (6). The methane gas generated in the methane fermentation tank (2) and collected in the gas holder (6) is taken out from a methane outlet pipeline (10) opening in the canopy of the gas holder (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Bioelex Corporation
    Inventor: Takaaki Maekawa
  • Patent number: 6638427
    Abstract: A waste water treatment equipment treats a fluorine waste water containing organic matter, nitrogen, phosphor and hydrogen peroxide by an anaerobic tank 3 in which a calcium carbonate mineral 9 is placed and an aerobic tank 15 in which the calcium carbonate mineral 9 is placed and into which a biologically treated water is introduced from a treatment equipment 444 of another system. Therefore, the fluorine in the waste water can be treated by the calcium carbonate mineral 9 placed in the anaerobic tank 3 and the aerobic tank 15 with the formation of calcium fluoride 11. The organic matter of the surface active agent and so on in the waste water can be treated by the microorganism included in the biologically treated water. Furthermore, nitrate nitrogen can be treated so as to be reduced to a nitrogen gas in the anaerobic tank 3, while ammoniacal nitrogen and nitrite nitrogen can be treated so as to be oxidized in the aerobic tank 15.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Yamasaki, Noriyuki Tanaka, Shigeki Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6630067
    Abstract: A biofilter system of the present invention utilizes an Alternating-Aerobic-Anoxic (AAA) process in a single reactor to provide efficient and cheap removal of carbonaceous materials, nitrogenous materials, and/or mixtures thereof from aqueous waste. The biofilter system of the present invention is particularly suitable for treating aqueous waste from aquaculture, industrial processes and animal husbandry. The biofilter system includes: a main biofilter chamber containing therein aerobic and anaerobic bacteria without physical separation; an inlet port and an outlet port connected to the main biofilter chamber; and a means for oxygenating the aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in the main biofilter chamber, including means for timing the oxygenation of the aerobic and anaerobic bacteria to provide alternating periods of high-oxygen conditions and anoxic conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: Wen K. Shieh, Leon Weiss, Shu K. Tai
  • Patent number: 6616843
    Abstract: A single tank submerged membrane bioreactor for treating feed water having unacceptable levels of ammonia or total nitrogen has both a membrane scouring bubble supply and an oxygenating bubble supply. The membrane scouring bubble supply continuously provides large scouring bubbles to clean the membranes. Permeate is continuously withdrawn from the membranes at a high rate but the large scouring bubbles do not transfer sufficient oxygen to the mixed liquor to create aerobic conditions in the reactor. The oxygenating bubble supply is operated to provide small bubbles of air or oxygen that intermittently produce aerobic conditions in a significant part of the mixed liquor. Alternating aerobic and anoxic conditions occur in a significant portion of the tank suitable for nitrification and denitrification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignees: Omnium de Traitement et de Valorisation, Zenon Environmental Inc.
    Inventors: Henry Behmann, Hidayat Husain, Herve Buisson, Michele Payraudeau
  • Patent number: 6610205
    Abstract: There is disclosed a process for nitrifying denitrifying organic waste water to nitrify and denitrify the nitrogenous components in the waste water, which comprises making use of a microbe carrier composed of an organic thermoplastic high molecular compound (thermoplastic polyurethane) in both a nitrifying step and a denitrifying step, preferably in an alternate and repeated manner, wherein the compound has, in a state of complete swelling in water, a water absorption rate in the range of 50 to 3500%, a compressive yield stress of at least 1.0 MPa each being defined by a specific formula, and a particle diameter in the range of 1.0 to 30 mm. The process is capable of efficiently performing nitrifying and denitrifying steps, steadily achieving high treatment performances, contriving compactification of the treatment facility, and curtailing the treatment time and treatment cost, while the microbe carrier can withstand long-term service without any trouble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Nisshinbo Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Takaya Sato, Tsutomu Uehara, Hiroshi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6558549
    Abstract: An apparatus to transfer gas to or from a liquid has a flexible and oxygen permeable but liquid water impermeable membrane, a flexible and gas permeable spacer, an inlet conduit, an outlet conduit and a non-rigid restraint system. When used for treating wastewater, an aerobic biofilm is cultured adjacent the planar elements, an anoxic biofilm is cultivated adjacent the aerobic biofilm and the wastewater is maintained in an anaerobic state. A first reactor for treating wastewater has an anaerobic section, a plurality of gas transfer membrane modules, and an aerobic section. A biofilm is cultivated on the surface of the gas transfer membranes in fluid communication with the anaerobic section. Biological reduction of COD, BOD, nitrogen and phosphorous are achieved. In a second reactor, phosphorous is also removed chemically in a precipitation branch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Zenon Environmental Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre Cote, Steven Pedersen, Henry Behmann, Hidayat Husain, Deonarine Phagoo
  • Patent number: 6551511
    Abstract: To provide technology in denitrification promoters for typical use in wastewater treatment and methods of water treatment using such denitrification promoters, which allows nitrification and denitrification to be accomplished simultaneously in water treatment facilities using a single aerobic tank without continuous addition of methanol or other hydrogen donors that has caused difficulties in the prior art. A straight-chained saturated monocarboxylic acid having at least 6 carbon atoms or a primary alcohol having at least 12 carbon atoms is used as a main component of the denitrification promoter, which may be shaped into particles no larger than 100 mm and added into an aerobic tank, an anaerobic tank or a settling tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Koichiro Murasawa
  • Publication number: 20030066804
    Abstract: A process and system for pretreating, gathering, transmitting and finally treating waste produced at multiple locations includes pretreating the waste proximate the generation site, gathering the pretreated waste and transmitting the waste to a final treatment facility. One or more gathering stations, with sensing and feedback mechanisms, allow for controlled injection of waste to collection lines, and segments thereof, to control system demand through the collection line and to final treatment facility. The pretreating step includes removing particulates that impede the flow of waste through the collection lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Gary A. Tipton, Guy L. Harrell
  • Publication number: 20030038080
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treatment of wastewater. More particularly, the methods of the present invention are designed for the biological removal from wastewater of contamination in the form of insoluble suspended solids and soluble and insoluble organic and inorganic material, including nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients. A wastewater treatment process is described, which process is a hybrid continuous flow, cyclic operating, substantially constant level, activated sludge process with a symmetric functional cycle. In this functional cycle each compartment of a reactor is subsequently in a different functional phases, which functional phases are continuously separated: phase 1, phase 2, phase 3, phase 4, phase 1, phase 2, phase 3, phase 4, etc. . . . The symmetric functional cycle allows for symmetric (equal) influent distribution and therefore symmetric sludge and oxygen demand distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: Luc Vriens, Ron Gerards
  • Patent number: 6488851
    Abstract: The present invention provides a reactor and process for the biological treatment of sewage, being transferred, by gravitational forces with a substantially constant flow rate (Q), through an array of successively alternating aerobic and anaerobic compartments (14, 16) for, respectively, aerobic and anaerobic degradation of biodegradable substances in said sewage, the compartments, which form part of the reactor of the invention, are separated by partition walls (50) and each has a top area (S), the passage of the sewage from an aerobic compartment (16) to its adjacent succeeding anaerobic compartment (14) is provided at the bottom of their common partition wall, while the transfer of sewage from an anaerobic compartment to its adjacent aerobic compartment is performed by means of gravity-caused flow over their common partition wall, whereby oxygen required for the aerobic treatment is dissolved into the sewage via an air-sewage interface at the top area of the anaerobic and aerobic compartments forming there
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Projects, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ehud Almog
  • Patent number: 6488854
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Procorp, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin P. O'Leary, Thomas H. Probst, Jenchie Wang, David A. Wilson, Henry J. Probst
  • Publication number: 20020162804
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for suppressed ion analysis in which a sample solution of analyte (e.g., anion) in an eluent of electrolyte counterions (e.g., sodium), is chromatographically separated. Then, the counterions are suppressed in a suppression zone and removed and used to convert the analyte ions to salt form in a salt-converting zone. The suppression and salt-converting zones may be contiguous or remote, and may be performed in devices of the membrane suppresser type. Thereafter, the salts or acids or bases formed from them (e.g., in membrane suppressor devices) are detected. Also, salt conversion can be performed using two ion exchange packed bed salt convertors in which one bed is on-line while the other is regenerated, followed by a reversal of flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: Kannan Srinivasan, Sheetal Saini, Nebojsa Avdalovic
  • Patent number: 6444124
    Abstract: A method and system for treating sludge in a wastewater facility involving a novel concentration step optimises the energy balance and sludge solids mass reduction incurred from concentration and low pressure homogenization of the sludge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventors: Theodore Onyeche, Michael Sievers