Abstract: The present invention is a wastewater treatment system utilizing a recirculating filter system comprising sand, gravel, or synthetic media. Septic effluent is continuously, or approximately continuously, dosed under pressure to the treatment media through pressure compensating drip irrigation emitters. The system comprises a commonly known septic tank and recirculation tank. Septic tank effluent is collected in the recirculation tank, from which it is continually dosed by means of a pump to the top of the treatment media of the recirculating filter through pressure compensating drip emitters. Continuous dosing of diluted residential septic tank effluent through drip irrigation emitters provides a slow consistent application of liquid rich in organic material and pathogens over the treatment media. The treated effluent is then recirculated if water is low or went to final disposal.

Abstract: A sewage treatment apparatus includes a membrane separation active-sludge treating section which performs a biological treatment on a part of sewage, which is introduced by a water introducing section while flowing through a sewer trunk line, to generate first treated sewage; a membrane highly treating section which performs a membrane high treatment on the first treated sewage to generate second treated sewage; a membrane treating tank which stores the first treated sewage; a membrane highly treating tank which stores the second treated sewage; water level sensors which respectively measure water level of the membrane treating tank and the membrane highly treating tank; and a power-control section which controls water introducing quantity of the water introducing section on the basis of the water level data measured by the water level sensors.

Abstract: An oil/grease separator separates a lighter liquid from a mixture of the heavier liquid and a lighter liquid. A housing has an inner volume, an inlet to receive influent flow, an outlet to discharge the heavier liquid, which defines a static liquid level, and an outlet port above the static liquid level to discharge substantially all of the lighter liquid and portions of the heavier liquid. The lighter liquid floats on the heavier liquid, so that large volume flows into the inlet raises the liquid level in the housing, flowing the floating lighter liquid through the outlet port.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cleaning a filter element (9) located in a filtering chamber (10, 11) and to a filter implementing the method. The filter includes an inlet (4) leading to the inlet side (10) of the filtering chamber, an outlet (6) starting from the outlet side (11) of the chamber, and a flow passage (13), which connects the chamber inlet side preferably to atmospheric pressure and by means of which a pressure difference can be generated between the different sides of the filter element in order to produce a flow impulse detaching solid matter accumulated on the element. In accordance with the invention, the inlet side (10) of the filtering chamber is connected in a first step to a confined buffer chamber (14) under lower pressure, the pressure equalisation between the chambers producing a flow impulse cleaning the filter element (9), after which the buffer chamber can be connected to atmospheric pressure.

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.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus includes a laundry waste sump, a primary 50 micron static screen filter, a 9,000 gallon equalization tank, at least one secondary media/carbon filter, a sludge holding tank with a pump to return excess water to the equalization tank, a backwash pump, an air blower, and a clear well tank water source for backwash. An exemplary embodiment of the invention also includes a surge tank between the primary and secondary filters and a surge tank between the secondary filter and the clear well tank.

Abstract: The present invention is aimed at treating rainwater in a combined sewer system, while enabling removal of a majority of pollution substances even if a large amount of entering rainwater. The invention relates to a rainwater-treating apparatus in a combined sewer system, said apparatus comprising a plurality of upward flow type high-speed filter vessels each having a layer of a floating filter medium, a common treated water vessel which is located at upper faces of said high-speed filter vessels and is adapted to collect treated water from the high-speed filter vessels, a used wash water vessel which collects used wash water from said high-speed filter vessels, a rainwater inflow channel for distributing the entering rainwater into upper portions of the high speed filter vessels, and rainwater inflow portions for flowing downwardly the rainwater distributed from the rainwater inflow channel under the respective floating filter media of the filter vessels.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus includes a laundry waste sump, a primary 50 micron static screen filter, a 9,000 gallon equalization tank, at least one secondary media/carbon filter, a sludge holding tank with a pump to return excess water to the equalization tank, a backwash pump, an air blower, and a clear well tank water source for backwash. An exemplary embodiment of the invention also includes a surge tank between the primary and secondary filters and a surge tank between the secondary filter and the clear well tank.

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.

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.

Abstract: A biofiltering system for treating wastewater effluent (e.g. from a septic tank) through a bed of peat 16 overlying an effluent absorption area 12 and into the earth beneath 14. The bed of peat has a predetermined biofiltering capacity. A fluid flow regulator 18 upstream from the peat is adapted to allow the effluent to flow at a rate greater than the peat bed biofiltering capacity. However, a distribution system arranged over the peat is configured such that wastewater received from the fluid flow regulator flows through the peat bed at a rate no greater than the peat bed biofiltering capacity. The distribution system 20 includes a plurality of spaced-apart, elongated distribution conduits 72 having discharge orifices 74 spaced longitudinally therealong. The biofiltering system allows large quantities of wastewater to be efficiently treated irrespective of the flow rate thereof.

Abstract: A drain water system includes a plurality of containers (7-9) within a building 1 for receiving respective drain waters differing in degree of contamination. A plurality of building 1 having such containers share a main drain water conduit leads to at least two stations (13-15) for receiving the respective drain waterd of differing degrees of contamination. Adjusting apparatuses (including, for example, pumps 17) sequentially discharge the containers depending upon their degree of drain water contamination. During a certain time period, drain waters of the same degree of contamination will be discharged into the main drain conduit and will then flow to a specific station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for measuring the concentration of contaminants in an aqueous water system, wherein the contaminants are measured with the bioreactor containing a biofilm or microbial community which acts on the water to be analyzed to provide a measure of the amount of the dissolved organic carbon which is biodegradable. A bed for facilitating regulation of water flow through the bioreactor is provided, and an autosampling mechanism enables the measurement of total organic carbon, inorganic carbon and oxygen, between sample inflow and sample outflow at specified time intervals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating waste material to remove selected components form the waste is described using a reactor or a series of reactors in fluid communication with each other for receiving the waste to be treated as influent. The influent forms a biomass including the waste and microorganisms and is treated by controlling the metabolic activity of the microorganisms by monitoring the oxygen utilisation rate or the potential oxygen utilisation rate of the biomass so as to determine the required amount of oxygen to be supplied to the biomass and to determine the period of aeration of the biomass in order to maintain a predetermined oxygen utilisation rate or value so as to remove the selected components of the waste. The preferred selected components to be removed are nitrogenous, carbonaceous and/or biological phosphorus containing materials or derivatives.

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 continuously fed, compartmentalized reactor that reverses its flow in a horizontal manner. This system is developed without the requirement of elaborate gas-solids-separator and feed-distribution systems. Effluent recycling is not required, but mixing is necessary to obtain a sufficient biomass/substrate contact. This process is known as the anaerobic migrating blanket reactor (AMBR). A key to the selection of a granular biomass in the AMBR process, and thus to the reactor performance, is the migration of the blanket through the reactor. A higher rate of migration of flocculent biomass, compared with granular biomass, is responsible for the wash out of less settleable, flocculent biomass. In this way, the formed aggregates are retained in the reactor and grow in size.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering particulates from a turbid liquid is provided. The apparatus is preferably used to filter particulates from water used to flush a pipeline after a cleaning operation, after hydrostatic testing or during product displacement at a high flow rate. The apparatus includes an inlet valve for receiving the turbid liquid from a liquid source connected to a gas buster for discharging the turbid liquid and air into a break tank located beneath the gas buster. A self-cleaning portable liquid filter having an inlet is connected to an outlet of the break tank and includes a screen filter for receiving the turbid liquid from the break tank. Particulates from the turbid water are accumulated on an internal surface of the screen filter and clean water is discharged from the filter through a discharge port. A flush mechanism is provided to rinse the accumulated particulate cake from the surface of the screen filter upon actuation of an automatic rinse cycle.

Abstract: The biological process is for treating wastewater in order to remove the phosphorus therefrom and thus obtain clarified water. The process is using two sequencing batch reactors (SBR) in series filled with a sludge-mixed liquor. The process consists of: continuously feeding wastewater into the first (SBR) operating under anaerobic conditions for equalization and anaerobic treatment by controlling in-time any fermentation reaction occurring therein in order to produce an acidogenesis fermenting phase of organic materials and prevent the methanogenesis phase. Then, the fermented wastewater from the first SBR is rapidly transferred by batch into the second SBR. In the second SBR, the wastewater is first anaerobically treated to store a maximum amount of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in the phosphorus removal biomass.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating nuisance odor streams is provided. One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method and apparatus in which deodorizing chemical agents are applied to an evaporative reaction pack situated within a gas chamber having an air stream running therethrough. The evaporative reaction pack provides a reaction zone within which the chemical agent is evaporated to facilitate a gas-gas or vapor phase interaction between the chemical agent and odoriferous compounds contained in the air stream. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for batch processing of sewage treatment agents within a wet well to prevent the formation of undesired compounds. In one embodiment, a predetermined amount of chemical agent, sufficient for treating the amount of sewage that the well can hold, is added to an evacuated wet well in coordination with the pumping of sewage from the wet well.

Abstract: The process for treating waste water uses the combination of a septic tank operating in series with a biological reactor such as a sequencing batch reactor. In this process, waste water is supplied and accumulated in a septic tank. In the septic tank, the waste water and the settling sludge are biologically treated under anaerobic conditions. A given amount of treated waste water is then transferred from the septic tank into a biological reactor such as a sequencing batch reactor, where it is mixed and aerated. Such a mixing and aerating causes activation of the sludge and clarification of the waste water. The activated sludge in suspension in the liquor is then allowed to settle and an upper layer of clarified water formed above the mixed liquor after the settling period is decanted. The excess activated sludge in the biological reactor may then be removed therefrom and supplied into the septic tank so that the excess sludge be treated by digestion therein.

Abstract: An untreated flow of waste water is normally introduced into a plain sedimentation unit during plain sedimentation periods to separate it into sand and a flow treated by plain sedimentation. During other periods, for example periods of heavy rain, a coagulating agent, ballast sand and a flocculating agent are introduced. The coagulated flow is passed into a maturation intermediate area and then, with substantially all the sand and colloids of particles attached to it, into the plain sedimentation unit. Here effluent is separated by plain sedimentation and evacuated and sludge made up of the sand and the adhering colloids and particles is extracted and evacuated via an extraction system and the sand outlet channel of the plain sedimentation unit. The sludge is collected, the ballast sand is separated from it to be recycled into the sand injection area and the sludge and excess sand are extracted.

Abstract: The method is of the type wherein the raw or untreated water to be treated is made to circulate in cells or biofilters with submerged filtering beds working anaerobically and then aerobically or vice versa. A treatment module is used comprising at least two cells or biofilters in series (for example one biofilter under anaerobic conditions and one to five biofilters under aerobic conditions) in making phases of anaerobiosis and then aerobiosis alternate cyclically. The entry of flow to be treated takes place always in the anaerobic cell. Advantageously, each phase of the cycle is separated from another by a hold phase comprising a halt in the supply of water to be treated.

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: A wastewater treatment system includes inner and outer relatively telescopic units, the outer telescopic unit including an outer container having a bottom wall and a peripheral wall collectively defining a generally upwardly opening chamber, a filter exteriorly of the peripheral wall and defining therewith a first downstream settling zone, control openings in the peripheral wall for controlling wastewater flow through the first settling zone generally in response to the level of wastewater in the first settling zone, the inner telescopic unit including an inner container having a chamber defined in part by a peripheral wall, the peripheral walls being in relatively spaced relationship to each other and therebetween defining a second settling zone, a third settling zone within the inner telescopic unit chamber, and the inner and outer telescopic units each being a distinct unitized structure which permits the same to be bodily telescopically assembled and disassembled.

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: Process for the biological purification of effluent which makes it possible either to ensure complete treatment of the carbon pollution and the nitrogen pollution at the nominal output, or to remove the biological oxygen demand or BOD only during a substantial increase in the nominal output, especially if it rains, using bacteria in fixed cultures, said process comprising the step of using the modifications of the surrounding environment, that is to say the oxidation-reduction potential which depends on the presence or absence of dissolved oxygen, and the composition of the water in contact with the bacteria, either to modify the enzymatic system of the flora present in the bacterial film of the fixed culture in order to assign to the removal of the BOD a fixed culture which up until then carried out denitrification, or to promote, in the same bacterial film, the development of the most appropriate flora for the desired objective: the removal of the BOD or nitrification.

Abstract: A waste water drainfield for a sewerage disposal system of the type comprising a plurality of conventional absorption trenches includes a distribution device at each absorption trench for separating waste water into two components of preselected proportions; at least one distribution pipe for each distribution device for temporarily storing a quantity of waste water and/or for distributing the waste water to its respective absorption trench; and distribution lines connecting the distribution devices in series, each distribution device delivering one of the components to its distribution pipes for temporary storage and distribution to its respective absorption trench, and delivering the other of the components to the next distribution device via a distribution line.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system includes inner and outer relatively telescopic units, the outer telescopic unit including an outer container having a bottom wall and a peripheral wall collectively defining a generally upwardly opening chamber, a filter exteriorly of the peripheral wall and defining therewith a first downstream settling zone, control openings in the peripheral wall for controlling wastewater flow through the first settling zone generally in response to the level of wastewater in the first settling zone, the inner telescopic unit including an inner container having a chamber defined in part by a peripheral wall, the peripheral walls being in relatively spaced relationship to each other and therebetween defining a second settling zone, a third settling zone within the inner telescopic unit chamber, and the inner and outer telescopic units each being a distinct unitized structure which permits the same to be bodily telescopically assembled and disassembled.

Abstract: A mechanism for wastewater treatment which includes a plurality of solids settling chambers, at least a primary, secondary and a tertiary filter for selectively filtering wastewater and effecting settling of solids of different sizes in the settling chambers and flow equalization ports for effecting demand flow of wastewater through the mechanism and the eventual discharge of high quality effluent. Chlorination and optionally dechlorination are effected as integral process functions of the wastewater treatment mechanism.

Abstract: A pumping system for gates wherein a sluice body liftably received in the guide grooves formed in the side walls of a water channel mounts a plurality of pumps in parallel with each other, the suction ports and the discharge ports of the pumps being located in the upstream and downstream sides, and a debris collecting device is provided in the water channel upstream the pumps. The suction ports of the pumps are opened towards the bottom of the water channel at a given height, and the debris collecting device is so constructed that it can be liftable over the level of the water channel. At the time of a natural drainage, the sluice body and the debris collection device are lifted to allow free flow of the water through the water channel, while at the time of a forced drainage the sluice body and the debris collecting device are lowered so that debris, etc.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for dewatering mill tailings, slimes and slurries, wherein ultra fine particles materially reduce the rate of natural dewatering and hinder their disposal in the mining and processing of phosphate, coal, potash, uranium, talc and the like. The invention is preferably carried out in a closed loop system involving the use of electrokinetic densification and substantially continuous decanting of the supernatant.

Abstract: A final clarifier for a sewage treatment plant has a peripheral feed influent channel with lower distribution ports and is also provided with tubes to minimize the headloss in the clarifier. The minimum headloss tubes are set to allow the basin to operate at more than one limiting headloss set point. By increasing the available orifice area at a certain flow rate, a maximum or peak headloss limitation can be achieved without compromising the design (average) headloss.

Abstract: A conduit system for transporting municipal or industrial wastes economically and efficiently is shown. The conduit system comprises a conduit which is located within a body of water and which has a thin, flexible wall adapted to maintain the contents of the conduit in pressure equilibrium with the body of water in which the conduit is situated. By maintaining pressure equilibrium or a slightly higher pressure within the conduit, it is possible to make substantial savings in materials of construction; and by locating the conduit within a body of water, substantially less cost is incurred for right of way. The thin, flexible wall of the conduit maintains the pressure equilibrium whether the conduit is ballasted to the bottom of the body of water or supported at an intermediate location by buoys. Liquids or liquids with entrained solids are transported through the conduit by flow augmentation means positioned at intervals along the length of the conduit.

Abstract: A flow control apparatus is described for inclusion in a waste water treatment system intermediate a surge tank and a first active processing stage such as a biological treatment tank employing a trickling filter. The apparatus consists of a form of "head box" which smooths out the variations in the output of the surge tank. The apparatus consists basically of one tank enclosed within another. Water from the surge tank fills the inner tank and spills over its flat rim to form an efficient head control weir. The inner tank is provided with a submerged orifice which acts as a flow control weir discharging freely into the air space above the free water surface of the succeeding processing stage. The top of the outer tank is closed and sealed to isolate the intense air pressure, which is vented through the inner tank to the air in the succeeding stage. This insures that no differential pressure exists between these two internal air spaces and that no contamination of the external environment occurs.

Abstract: In a waterworks system wherein a plurality of zones are coupled by pipes, each of the zones including one purification plant and at least one service reservoir for supplying consumers with clear water fed from the purification plant;before initiation of the operation of the system on a particular day, planned values of pipe flows to be interchanged among the zones, planned values of treated water volumes of the purification plants in the respective zones and planned values of water storage volumes of said respective zones at respective times of said particular day are determined in advance,the treated water volumes of said purification plants and the pipe flows are respectively controlled on the basis of said planned values of said pipe flows and said planned values of said treated water volumes at said respective times and also values of the water storage volumes of said respective zones are observed at said respective times of said particular day,deviations between the observed values of said water storage

Abstract: In a process for the biological purification of wastewater wherein the wastewater is treated in a purification plant comprising at least one storage tank and at least one biological treatment stage, the improvement wherein the entering wastewater, in case of normal load, is introduced directly into the biological treatment stage and, during the time period of peak loads, is introduced at least partially into the storage tank; and that, after the subsiding of the peak loads, the wastewater is transferred from the storage tank into the biological treatment stage. A process variable associated with the biological treatment stage, such as oxygen, or one associated with incoming wastewater such as BOD, is used to automatically regulate the timing of the flows.