Abstract: A wastewater treatment system for use with a conventional septic tank, or other small-scale wastewater treatment facility, for enhancing wastewater treatment without requiring complex control or maintenance limitations. The system incorporates a plurality of primary functions that combine to oxidize, nitrify, denitrify and remove water borne total dissolved solids prior to effluent discharge. Included is a fluidized-bed reactor containing biofilm attached to carrier particulates for use in the purification of wastewater. The fluidized-bed reactor is configured to include two distinct regions, namely a “lower” aerobic region and an “upper” anoxic region, during normal operating conditions. The lower aerobic region uses aerobic facultative bacteria to oxidize Carbonaceous Biochemical Oxygen Demand (CBOD), organic (Kjeldahl) nitrogen, and ammonia while consuming the dissolved oxygen in the water.

Abstract: A process is described for the biological treatment of waste water containing a specific component such as ammonia, wherein the waste water together with surplus sludge from an activated sludge reactor is treated in a bioaugmentation reactor, applying a hydraulic retention time in the continuously or discontinuously operated reactor which is shorter than the sludge retention time by retaining part of the sludge in the reactor and continuing the use of the separated part in the reactor. The non-retained part of the sludge, together with the effluent of the bioaugmentation reactor, is added to the activated sludge reactor.

Abstract: To purify wastewater discharged from lavatories (3), a wastewater purifying apparatus having a shell contact aeration chamber (6, 7) placed with shell microbial carrier members (15), the wastewater being fed to and purified in the shell contact aeration chamber (6, 7). Shells whose mother-of-pearl layer on the inner surface (b) is at least removed are used as the microbial carrier member (15).

Abstract: A novel method for purifying, by means of an essentially closed circuit water purification system, an aqueous flow from a processing unit includes the steps of: (a) supplying to a bioreactor, and combining therein, the aqueous flow, as well as a discharge flow from a membrane filtration unit; (b) allowing microbiological conversion of biodegradable constituents to take place therein, thereby, generating an effluent flow; (c) supplying the bioreactor effluent flow to an ultrafiltration unit, thereby, separating the effluent flow into permeate and concentrate flows; (d) supplying at least some of the permeate flow to a membrane filtration unit, thereby, generating a product flow and the discharge flow; and (e) supplying the discharge flow to the bioreactor, as noted in step (a), and supplying at least a portion of the product flow to the processing unit. Apparatus related thereto are also disclosed.

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: The apparatus of the present invention generally comprises a wastewater contact tank that is broken into three distinct zones: a selector zone positioned between a stabilization zone and a contact zone. The entire influent is introduced into the selector zone which is maintained in an anoxic condition. Baffles positioned within the selector zone permit control of microorganisms levels present in the zone. The wastewater introduced into the selector zone and treated via the microorganisms present therein, flows over a weir into the contact zone. In the contact zone, the solids suspended in the liquor (the mixture of the wastewater and activated sludge) settle to the bottom and pass through a line which returns it to the selector zone. The return line, however, includes a valve which controls the rate of passage. The treated wastewater (which includes waste activated sludge and treated water) passes from the contact zone into the clarifiers for final processing.

Abstract: A process for treating industrial waste water highly loaded with ammonium, by treating the waste water with nitrifying microorganisms (nitric bacteria) in the presence of a suspended carrier substance with a specific surface of >20 m2/g and in a given case a denitrification with denitrifying microorganisms (denitrifying bacteria). According to a modification of the process, a finely-divide carbon-containing material with a surface-pH value of around 6 to 9 is used instead of the silicate carrier substance.

Abstract: Provided is a wastewater treatment apparatus including a bottom portion and a plate formed above and spaced apart from the bottom portion to form a lower chamber with the bottom portion, an outlet installed on the bottom portion for drawing off water and sludge in the lower chamber before backwashing, a filter medium layer supported to the upper portion of the plate by the plate, the upper layer of which forms a bottom portion of an upper chamber, a wastewater introducing means connected to the lower chamber, for introducing wastewater to be treated into the lower chamber, a process air introducing means for supplying process air to the filter medium layer formed over the plate, a plurality of aerators formed over and spaced apart a predetermined distance from the plate, and mounted in a plurality of air flow pipes led to the process air introducing means, a backwash air introducing means for supplying backwash air to the lower chamber during backwashing, a backwash water introducing means for supplying backw

Abstract: A process and a composite for removing toxic cations and anions from blood or dialysate is disclosed. The process involves contacting blood or dialysate with a shaped ion exchange composite to remove ammonium and phosphate ions. The composite is a mixture of an anion exchange composition such as zirconia and a microporous cation exchange composition formed into a shaped article and optionally containing a binder such as hydrous zirconium oxide. The microporous cation exchangers are represented by the following empirical formula.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the field of nitrification of fluids, and particularly relates to the treatment of aqueous fluids to oxidize ammonia and nitrites to produce nitrates. One aspect of the present invention seeks to provide an alternative nitrification process which is readily capable of commercial implementation, and in which the nitrification rate more nearly approaches the rate of ammonia generation. According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a microbiological process for the nitrification of a fluid comprising passing the fluid to be nitrified through an immobilized biomass comprising nitrifying bacteria, characterised in that the bacteria are immobilized as a biofilm grown on porous particles, in particular coke.

Abstract: A metal stearate denitrification system utilizes insoluble and hydrophobic metal stearates as a carbon source for the bacterial substrate. The system in a long-term, low-maintenance denitrification cell is a flow-through plastic container having a replaceable porous liner filled with a porous and permeable mixture of metal stearate and volcanic scoria and a small amount of soil as a bacteria source. Oxidized effluent from an aerated home septic tank enters the container near its base and exits near its top. The insoluble and hydrophobic metal stearate remains in place as the fluid flows through the container. Over a time span of years, the metal stearate is gradually destroyed by bacteria using stearate as a metabolic food source. The aerobic bacteria first remove the dissolved oxygen in the entering fluid and then the anaerobic bacteria denitrify the nitrate.

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.

Abstract: The present invention provides a two stage process for treating wastewater that subjects the influent to anoxic and oxic filtering processes. The first stage performs anoxic nitrification i.e., the conversion of nitrate to nitrogen gas by bacteria operating in the absence of oxygen. Influent (effluent from the primary clarifiers) is fed into the bottom of the anoxic dentirification tank, preventing contact with the atmosphere and thus reducing the amount of unwanted dissolved oxygen. The influent passes upwards through a layer of sludge biomass before contacting bacteria coated media which performs the denitrification process. This arrangement permits the influent to contact the sludge and the biomass to circulate through the filter, enhancing deoxygenation and the performance of the system.

Abstract: A process which comprises using a tank or compartment suitable for both anoxic and anaerobic conditions for biologically removing both nitrogen and phosphorus from waste water.

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.

Abstract: Ammonia is recovered from waste water containing NH3, at least one acid gas (CO2, H2S) and inert gases. Firstly, the waste water is passed through a pretreatment column and then, at least in part, into a total stripping column. The top product from the total stripping column is cooled in a condenser, and an aqueous NH3-containing condensate coming from the condenser is fed to an NH3 stripping column. The top product from the NH3 stripping column is brought into direct contact with circulating aqueous NH3-containing condensate in a wash column, and NH3 is recovered from the top product from the wash column. Some of the bottom product from the wash column is fed back into the NH3 stripping column. The temperature in the bottom region of the pretreatment column is set to from less than 30 to 200° C., a sub-stream of the waste water is introduced into the upper region of the pretreatment column, and a second sub-stream of the waste water is fed into the pretreatment column below the first sub-stream.

Abstract: Methods for direct reduction of ammonia from waste streams by the steps of reacting an aqueous ammonia containing waste stream with a solution of a strong acid and a metal salt, wherein the cation in said metal salt of said solution is selected from the group consisting of Ag, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pd, Zn; and wherein an ammonium-double salt is formed with said metal salt in an ammonia depleted waste stream; and treating said depleted waste stream to crystallize an ammonium-metal double salt therefrom.

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 re-circulates, 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: 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.

Abstract: The invention is a water purification system through denitrifying reduction with faculative anaerobes in which a nitrate harmful in the breeding of creatures such as tropical fishes and coral for appreciation and fishes and shellfishes for food and the like is decomposed and denitrifying-reduced in a short time. In this case, an aerobic circulating pathway of water reduced through a filter using aerobes is separately arranged from an anaerobic circulating pathway of water reduced through a closed type anaerobic filter device (10) using anaerobes. A nitrate produced in the aerobic circulating pathway is exuded into the anaerobic circulating pathway through powdery sand (5). This nitrate is decomposed in the anaerobic circulating pathway. A nitrogen gas inside the anaerobic circulating pathway produced in the decomposition of the nitrate is discharged at an isolated state so as not to contact with water in the aerobic circulating pathway.

Abstract: The apparatus is a small flow wastewater treatment system. The system uses a recirculating packed media filter for the initial treatment of effluent from a device such as a septic tank. The incoming wastewater is furnished to the recirculating packed media filter intermittently to permit air into the filter for maintaining high levels of oxygen for bacteria action. The recirculating packed media filter is followed by a subsurface flow constructed wetland. The wastewater entering the apparatus of the invention is divided into two parts so that 5 to 25 percent of the incoming flow bypasses the recirculating packed media filter and goes directly into the subsurface flow constructed wetland to encourage bacteria action that converts nitrates into gaseous nitrogen.

Abstract: A septic system and method for the removal of nitrogen contaminants, such as nitrates and ammonia, from a wastewater effluent. The system comprises one or more zeolite tanks which contain a regenerable, granulated zeolite material to receive wastewater effluent from a septic tank and to capture the nitrogen contaminants to provide a treated, decontaminated effluent to flow out of the tank into a leach field. The system includes a secondary treatment.tank to reduce suspended solids and the biological oxygen demand (BOD) of the wastewater effluent prior to introduction into the zeolite tank. The system also includes an ion sensor to monitor the ammonium ion concentration in the system and to signal the need to regenerate the zeolite tank with saline water.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for regulating the aeration in a biological wastewater treatment plant using a carbon removal stage, a nitrification stage and a denitrification stage. The process includes the step of continuously measuring the value of oxidation-reduction potential of the treated medium as well as measuring oxygen concentration of the treated medium during aeration phases. This permits maintaining aeration if the oxygen concentration falls within a preselected reference range. Alternately there is reduction of the aeration if the oxygen concentration is above the preselected reference range, or increasing the aeration if the oxygen concentration falls below the preselected reference range.

Abstract: A denitrification system for denitrified wastewater or nitrified water treatment using a detergent or detergent-like compound comprising available carbon. The system comprises a plurality of interconnected tanks including a mixing tank which feeds detention tanks which in combination provide a detention time period for the effluent. A controller determines the amount of detergent dispensed into the mixing tank in accordance with the measured volume of effluent to be treated. The mixing tank comprises a heater for maintaining the nitrified effluent temperature above 50 degrees F. An optional line filter can be added to the output of the system for further reducing organic nitrogen concentration. An alternate embodiment comprises passing the final denitrified effluent through a pump chamber for pumping of the effluent to a sand filter capable of reducing bacterial populations.

Abstract: In a liquid treating process according to the present invention, colloidal particles in stable hydrated states or in meta-stable hydrophobic colloidal states in a liquid are rendered hydrophobic and separated from liquid molecules by an electric field formed by a microwave. The separated colloidal particles are allowed to collide against one another to become flocculated under a cavitation effect by a ultrasonic wave having a frequency in a low frequency range, and the liquid is deodorized by an electromagnetic ultrasonic wave having a frequency in a high frequency range. Therefore, it is possible to easily and reliably remove the colloidal particles dissolved in the liquid and to deodorize the liquid without need for a large-scaled equipment.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated Penicillium strain capable of eliminating a nitroaromatic compound by mineralization and a microbiological method for eliminating a nitroaromatic compound present in a solution or in a soil.

Abstract: An electrolytic process and apparatus purifies contaminated bulk aqueous solutions and remediates soil. The apparatus is an electrolytic treatment or remediation unit consisting of one or more electrolytic cells having a cathode chamber separated from at least one anode chamber by a separation membrane. The cathode chamber has cathode plates positioned at an angle to the perpendicular or vertical axis of the cell made of valve metals with an irreducible oxide coating. Non-turbulent flow of the solution in an interfacial zone adjacent to the cathode is controlled by the evolution of hydrogen during electrolysis, resulting in a steady state flow of colloidal particles and cations in the cathode-solution interface sufficient to collapse the Gouy-Chapman layer, thereby causing total and irreversible agglomeration of all colloidal particles. A separation membrane separates cathode and anode chambers and allows conductivity driven ionic transfers, and prevents electro-osmotic reflux of the anolyte.

Abstract: A system and method for converting animal, vegetable, and food byproduct materials into useful bio-gas and fertilizer, and/or soil amendment products has an anaerobic digester, a liquid-solids separating unit, an ammonia stripper, an ammonia absorption unit, a solids processing unit, and an equilization tank. The system and method use anaerobic digestion to break down the fats, oils, and greases, proteinaceous, and carbonaceous substances contained in the byproducts. Anaerobic digestion creates bio-gas, mainly methane and carbon dioxide, waste biosolids, which can contain phosphorous, nitrogen and other trace minerals, and a liquid effluent with significant ammonia levels. Ammonia, a useful ingredient for fertilizer formulation, is recovered from the effluent. The solids and the extracted ammonia and/or phosphorous can also be used to make fertilizer and/or soil amendment materials.

Abstract: In the waste water treatment apparatus, organic matter-containing fluorine waste water is treated in a reaction tank into which biological sludge and calcium-containing chemical sludge are introduced, thus making it possible to treat organic matters in the waste water by microorganisms contained in the biological sludge, and simultaneously to treat fluorine in the waste water by the calcium-containing chemical sludge. Therefore, since organic matters in the waste water and fluorine in the waste water, which differ in chemical properties from each other, can be treated with one reaction tank, it is no longer necessary to provide two reaction tanks, thus allowing the initial cost to be reduced. That is, this waste water treatment apparatus is capable of reducing the quantity of waste materials and reducing both initial cost and running cost.

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: A process and system for enhanced nitrogen removal in a wetlands wastewater treatment facility is disclosed. Air is bubbled into the wetland to form an overall aerobic zone to enhance nitrification of the ammonia in the wastewater. A portion of the effluent is recycled back to the nutrient rich, anaerobic zone of the inlet of the wetland to enhance denitrification of the wastewater.

Abstract: A method of treating sewage or waste water for removing nitrogen and phosphorus as well as organic materials in the sewage or waste water, and an apparatus therefor are provided. The method applies intermittent aeration and dynamic flow to an equipment having at least a pair of reaction basins with intermittent aeration means, a clarifier with sludge transfer means, and a filter for passing liquid without passing solid between the reaction basins. According to the method, the efficiency of removing nutrient salts is excellent and stable even in the treatment of waste water having low content of influent organisms and low C/N ratio.

Abstract: A method of processing waste water comprises atomizing waste water under selected atmospheric conditions to achieve substantially complete phase change of the water. The atomization is conducted by spraying waste water from a nozzle mounted on a tower adjacent a catchment area for collecting ice crystals produced by the phase change of the atomized waste water into ice crystals, under atmospheric conditions favorable to freezing of atomized water droplets into ice.

Abstract: The present invention provides improvements for indoor closed systems used to raise aquatic life, along with methods to overcome the current problems associated with such indoor closed systems. The present invention provides an aquatic life rearing system which reuses water in the rearing process and does not pollute lakes or streams due to waste water discharge. The improvements include a method of preventing performance degradation of equipment which removes ammonia from the rearing water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating waste water including the steps of: oxidizing the waste water, and then treating the oxidized waste water with a reverse osmosis membrane having high salt rejection rate. By being treated with the reverse osmosis membrane, the waste water is separated into a impermeated liquid which contains a oxidizable substance, and a permeated liquid which contains almost no oxidizable substance.

Abstract: A device for removing toxins from blood or plasma comprising a cartridge containing a polymeric resin having a coating thereon which renders the resin blood compatible. The resin comprises divinylbenzene monomer which has a porosity, pore size, and surface area suitable for absorption of unhealthy components of blood, such as &bgr;-2-microglobulin.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for treating various kinds of drain water and waste liquid which treatment now becomes a problem, for example, drain water and waste liquid containing hardly removable phosphorus and nitrogen, waste liquid containing organochlorine compounds such as tetrachloroethylene, etc., excretive drain water from a piggery containing organonitrogen compounds at a high level, waste liquid containing heavy metals such as lead, hexavalent chromium, cadmium and the like, drain water from dairy product plants, fishery processing plants, slaughterhouses, etc. which contains water soluble protein at a high level, drain water from pulp plants, photo developing waste liquid, car wash drain water containing a mixture of car polishing wax and detergent and the like by the use of porous ceramics provided with amorphous pore surfaces.

Abstract: A polymeric resin is disclosed in the form of beads or particles having a coating thereon which renders the resin blood compatible. The resin comprises divinylbenzene monomer which has a porosity, pore size, and surface area suitable for absorbtion of unhealthy components of blood, such as &bgr;-2-microglobulin.

Abstract: The process of this invention destroys contaminants in a contaminant-containing aqueous stream. The subject process comprises providing a contaminant-containing aqueous feed stream including an initial amount of at least one of a group of contaminants including perchlorates, nitrates, and nitrites. The contaminant-containing aqueous feed stream includes a reducing agent. Next the reducing agent-containing, contaminant-containing aqueous stream is heated. Finally, the heated contaminant-containing aqueous stream is contacted with an oxidation-reduction catalyst for a period of time sufficient for reducing the excess amount of any of the perchlorates, nitrates, and nitrites contaminants by at least about 90%.

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: This invention relates to a method for treating various kinds of drain water and waste liquid which treatment now becomes a problem, for example, drain water and waste liquid containing hardly removable phosphorus and nitrogen, waste liquid containing organochlorine compounds such as tetrachloroethylene, etc., excretive drain water from a piggery containing organonitrogen compounds at a high level, waste liquid containing heavy metals such as lead, hexavalent chromium, cadmium and the like, drain water from dairy product plants, fishery processing plants, slaughterhouses, etc. which contains water soluble protein at a high level, drain water from pulp plants, photo developing waste liquid, car wash drain water containing a mixture of car polishing wax and detergent and the like by the use of porous ceramics provided with amorphous pore surfaces.

Abstract: An enzyme containing in-house digester unit for receiving and treating household waste material, which utilizes settling and biological treatment of solids and wastewater by means of organisms which digest the organic materials contained in the household waste thereby eliminating the need for any chemical treatment or processes.

Abstract: A waste water treatment process for biologically removing phosphates incorporates a membrane filter. The process includes three zones, an anaerobic zone, an anoxic zone and an aerobic zone containing an anaerobic, anoxic and aerobic mixed liquor. Water to be treated flows first into the anaerobic zone. Anaerobic mixed liquor flows to the anoxic zone. Anoxic mixed liquor flows both back to the anaerobic zone and to the aerobic zone. The aerobic mixed liquor flows to the anoxic zone and also contacts the feed side of a membrane filter. The membrane filter treats the aerobic mixed liquor to produce a treated effluent lean in phosphorous, nitrogen, COD, suspended solids and organisms at a permeate side of the membrane filter and a liquid rich in rejected solids and organisms. Some or all of the material rejected by the membrane filter is removed from the process either directly or by returning the material rejected by the membrane filter to the anoxic or aerobic zones and wasting aerobic sludge.

Abstract: A system for removing pollution from water, utilizing a subsurface constructed wetland system using forced bed aeration and variable water levels, to promote greater root depth and better root structure of the wetland vegetation, and to establish staged anaerobic and aerobic zones within the system.

Abstract: A method is described for treating animal manures and other organic wastes to destroy pathogens, reduce noxious odors, and immobilize water-soluble pollutants, thereby producing a pasteurized, granular product useful as a soil amendment. In a described implementation, the solids content of the organic waste is raised to a predetermined level to create air-filled pore space, and the pH is raised sufficiently to liberate endogenous gaseous ammonia in the air-filled pores for a predetermined time. The level of gaseous ammonia is sufficient to significantly destroy pathogens in the manure. In addition, alkaline material and/or iron salts are added to the organic waste to render certain water-soluble pollutants insoluble.

Abstract: A system is disclosed comprising a first anaerobic digester, an ammonia recovery vessel, and a second anaerobic digester. Microorganisms within the first anaerobic digester are primarily hydrolyzers and acetogens, and microorganisms within the second anaerobic digester are primarily methanogens. A nitrogen containing feed stock is passed to the first digester in which the feed stock is treated to accomplish hydrolysis and acetogenesis. An effluent stream from the first digester is passed to the ammonia recovery vessel in which ammonia is removed to generate a low ammonia effluent stream. The low ammonia effluent stream is then passed to the second digester in which it is treated to accomplish methanogenesis, thereby generating a biogas.

Abstract: A process for utilizing the material of ammonium-containing effluent which contains further soluble constituents and, possible additional solids, comprising: a) optionally separating off the solids, b) concentrating the substantially solids-free ammonium-containing effluent to give an aqueous concentrate having an increased content of ammonium and additional soluble constituents, with simultaneous recovery of substantially ammonium-free pure water, c) precipitating ammonium as magnesium ammonium phosphate from the ammonium-containing aqueous concentrate, and d) separating off precipitated magnesium ammonium phosphate with recovery of substantially ammonium-free residual concentrate which at least partially contains the additional soluble constituents.

Abstract: A process for reducing the amount of nitrification-inhibiting sulfur compounds in reaction solutions obtained by the sulfur-compound-catalyzed conversion of &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated carboxylic acids into the corresponding trans or cis isomer, in which an oxidizing agent is added in molar deficiency up to a maximum of twice the molar amount, based on the catalyst compound, to the reaction mixture obtained after the termination of the isomerization and then isolating the corresponding trans or cis isomer in a known manner and working it up and supplying the resultant process waste waters to a biological cleanup stage.

Abstract: A method for treating wastewater that generates a supernatant having a concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) that falls within a specified range and a sludge that has percent total solids. The method includes the steps of providing a fermentation tank and a gravity thickener, operatively connected to the fermentation tank. The wastewater is permitted to flow continually or intermittently into the fermentation tank and a portion of the wastewater overflows the fermentation tank, thereby defining an overflow rate. The fermentation tank is subjected to anaerobic conditions and the wastewater in the tank is permitted to stratify so that sludge forms at the bottom of the tank. In addition the sludge is continually pumped from the bottom of the fermentation tank so that each stratification level within the fermentation tank corresponds to a sludge residence time that in turn corresponds to a range of VFA concentrations.

Abstract: A method for managing a water system habitat environment and a system for managing a water system habitat environment are provided in which oxides which accumulate in a relatively small-scale water environment are continuously and effectively reduction changed and released into the atmosphere, such that a balance between oxidation changing and reduction changing of solute can be achieved. Furthermore, building up to a balanced state can be carried out in a short period of time from creation of the water environment, and the balanced state can be maintained over a long period of time. Soil (22), in which an organic carbon source (21) is mixed-in in a predetermined amount with respect to an amount of water in a pond (10), is covered, to a predetermined thickness, on substantially an entire bottom of a depression (4) which is to become the pond (10) and whose bottom portion has been subjected to a waterproofing treatment (3).