Abstract: The invention relates to wastewater treatment systems with decentralized disposal of treated wastewater and methods of using the same. The invention further relates to methods of converting existing septic systems to a wastewater treatment plant system.

Abstract: A local sewage processing unit is provided that receives sewage from a local source of sewage, extracts water from the received sewage that is suitable for re-use and includes a pump that is configured to pump sewage from a receiving section of the local sewage processing unit into a pressure sewer network, as required.

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: Disclosed is a system for reducing the demand of wastewater volume flowing through a wastewater collection piping system thereby increasing the effective capacity of the system. A portion of the wastewater is diverted from a sewer main. The solids are separated from the liquid; for example, by a centrifugal separator such as a vortex or cyclone separator. The recovered liquid can be treated and made available for reuse or disposed of. The separated or concentrated solids are reintroduced into the sewer main dynamically in a portion that adjusts the wastewater loading, or alternatively, the solids loading, in the sewer main to a predetermined amount or predetermined range. The system can be adapted to reducing demand of wastewater volume flowing within a wastewater treatment plant by diverting the wastewater in the flow path between the wastewater plant inlet and the biological processing stage and reintroducing separated solids downstream.

Abstract: A method of providing end-to-end water quality control from a water system operator to a point of delivery proximate a consumer, which may be at the point of entry, and/or between the point of entry and point of use, and/or at the point of use. The method includes treating the water and delivering the water to the consumer at the point of delivery, filtering/ purifying the water at the point of delivery, monitoring water quality at the point of delivery, and reporting water quality at the point of delivery to the water system operator over a network.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for reducing the demand of wastewater volume flowing through a wastewater collection piping system and thereby increasing the effective capacity of the system. A portion of the wastewater is diverted from a sewer main. The solids are separated from the liquid, for example, by a vortex separator. The recovered liquid can be treated and made available for reuse or can be disposed of, for example, in a body of water or pumped into the ground. The concentrated solids are reintroduced into the main sewage line in a portion that adjusts the wastewater loading in the sewer main to a predetermined amount or predetermined range. Also disclosed is a system capable of reintroducing the concentrated solids into the sewer main in a portion that adjusts the solids loading in the sewer main to a predetermined amount or predetermined range.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for reducing the demand of wastewater volume flowing through a wastewater collection piping system and thereby increasing the effective capacity of the system. A portion of the wastewater is diverted from a sewer main. The solids are separated from the liquid, for example, by a vortex separator. The recovered liquid can be treated and made available for reuse or can be disposed of, for example, in a body of water or pumped into the ground. The concentrated solids are reintroduced into the main sewage line in a portion that adjusts the wastewater loading in the sewer main to a predetermined amount or predetermined range. Also disclosed is a system capable of reintroducing the concentrated solids into the sewer main in a portion that adjusts the solids loading in the sewer main to a predetermined amount or predetermined range.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for reducing the demand of wastewater volume flowing through a wastewater collection piping system and thereby increasing the effective capacity of the system. A portion of the wastewater is diverted from a sewer main. The solids are separated from the liquid, for example, by a vortex separator. The recovered liquid can be treated and made available for local reuse. The concentrated solids are reintroduced into the main sewage line in a portion that adjusts the wastewater loading in the sewer main to a predetermined amount or predetermined range. Also disclosed is a system capable of reintroducing the concentrated solids into the sewer main in a portion that adjusts the solids loading in the sewer main to a predetermined amount or predetermined range.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for reducing the demand of wastewater volume flowing through a wastewater collection piping system and thereby increasing the effective capacity of the system. A portion of the wastewater is diverted from a sewer main. The solids are separated from the liquid, for example, by a vortex separator. The recovered liquid can be treated and made available for local reuse. The concentrated solids are reintroduced into the main sewage line in a portion that adjusts the wastewater loading in the sewer main to a predetermined amount or predetermined range. Also disclosed is a system capable of reintroducing the concentrated solids into the sewer main in a portion that adjusts the solids loading in the sewer main to a predetermined amount or predetermined range.

Abstract: The system comprises one or more of the following: primary treatment units, flexible pipes, and optionally, one or more pumps. The system is designed and installed in a manner that enables the flow of liquid to be predominantly due to gravity, although one or more pumps may optionally be included at key positions. The system can be sealed and pressure tested in order for optimal performance to be achieved during operation.

Abstract: A method of providing end-to-end water quality control from a water system operator to a point of delivery proximate a consumer, which may be at the point of entry, and/or between the point of entry and point of use, and/or at the point of use. The method includes treating the water and delivering the water to the consumer at the point of delivery, filtering/purifying the water at the point of delivery, monitoring water quality at the point of delivery, and reporting water quality at the point of delivery to the water system operator over a network.

Abstract: A method of providing end-to-end water quality control from a water system operator to a point of delivery proximate a consumer. The method includes treating the water and delivering the water to the consumer at the point of delivery, filtering/purifying the water at the point of delivery, monitoring water quality at the point of delivery, reporting water quality at the point of delivery to the water system operator over a network, monitoring total water volume at the point of delivery, and reporting total water volume at the point of delivery to the water system operator over a network.

Abstract: A method of providing end-to-end water quality control from a water system operator to a point of delivery proximate a consumer, which may be at the point of entry, and/or between the point of entry and point of use, and/or at the point of use. The method includes treating the water and delivering the water to the consumer at the point of delivery, filtering/purifying the water at the point of delivery, monitoring water quality at the point of delivery, and reporting water quality at the point of delivery to the water system operator over a network.

Abstract: A method of providing end-to-end water quality control from a water system operator to a point of delivery proximate a consumer, which may be at the point of entry, and/or between the point of entry and point of use, and/or at the point of use. The method includes treating the water and delivering the water to the consumer at the point of delivery, filtering/purifying the water at the point of delivery, monitoring water quality at the point of delivery, and reporting water quality at the point of delivery to the water system operator over a network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a grease processing unit for wastewater treatment. An embodiment of a grease processing unit includes a tank to hold influent. The tank has a top, a bottom, and one or more sides, and the influent is a mixture of grease and water. There is a first inlet in a side of the tank to allow influent to be pumped into the tank, and a second inlet in a side of the tank to allow water into the tank. The tank has an outlet in a side of the tank, where the outlet allows effluent to be released out of the tank. The grease separation unit also includes a control unit, the control unit to control the operation of the grease processing unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is an on-site treatment method of food waste generated from multi-unit dwellings and institutional food service facilities, by transporting wastewater-containing food waste to a separation chamber by use of domestic wastewater or an additional transporter; separating the transported food waste to wastewater and food waste; and treating the separated wastewater in a sewage disposal plant, and the separated food waste using disposal equipment. Such food waste can be treated even using disposal equipment of small capacities, due to separation of wastewater and food waste, compared to disposal equipment of large capacities required for treating wastewater and food waste together. Also, the quality of the separated wastewater is better than the conventional quality of wastewater, and thus loads of the sewage disposal plant can be efficiently decreased.

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 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.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing formation of a solid or semi-solid surface layer in liquid waste contained in a wet-well includes an air pump adapted to pump air into the wet-well and an air pump controller configured to activate and deactivate the air pump at selected times. Also included are a plurality of air injectors disposed in the wet-well and operatively coupled to the air pump. The air injectors inject the air into the liquid waste causing a stream of air bubbles to rise in the liquid waste. The air pump controller activates the air pump for a predetermined period of time so that the stream of air bubbles produced within the liquid waste causes turbulence within the liquid waste so as to disrupt and break up solids or semi-solids on a surface of the liquid waste to prevent the formation of the solid or semi-solid surface layer.

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 source of sewage is coupled to a septic tank by an influent line. The outlet line is coupled to a sewage treatment plant by an outlet line. Sewage travels from the source to the septic tank where solid matter is filtered. Liquid matter passes through the septic tank into the outlet line where it transported to the sewage treatment plant to be treated. The outlet line may consist of an indefinite number of intermediary lines and valves, such as an effluent line adjacent to the septic tank, a distribution line adjacent to the sewage treatment plant, and a valve disposed in between the effluent line and the distribution line. The valve may be coupled to a leach field so that liquid matter traveling from the effluent line to the valve may be directed either to the leach field or the distribution line leading to the sewage treatment plant.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a wastewater treatment plant having, in serial fluid flow relationship, a wastewater source, a wastewater treatment plant, and a discharge site. The wastewater treatment plant has, in serial fluid flow relationship, an aerobic bioreactor in fluid flow communication with the wastewater source and an anoxic bioreactor in fluid flow communication with the discharge site. Fixed film packing for growing microbes is disposed in first and second tanks of the first and second bioreactors, respectively. A primary holding tank is disposed between the wastewater source and the aerobic bioreactor. A first pump is used for pumping liquid out of the primary hold tank through a first pressure line into the first tank to a pressure line outlet in a bottom of the first tank.

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: The present invention provides methods for the generation of methane by a two phase anaerobic phase system (APS) digestion of organic substrates. Also provided is a device for practicing the methods of the invention. The APS-digester system is a space-efficient, high-rate solids digestion system. The APS-digester system consists of one or more hydrolysis reactors and one biogasification reactor.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for sewage pre-treatment in a sewer pipeline infrastructure upstream of a sewage treatment facility of a sewage treatment system includes selecting a site in the sewer pipeline infrastructure between a source of untreated sewage and the sewage treatment facility of the system, providing a source of a biological activity enhancing agent at the preselected site, and introducing the agent from the source thereof into a flow of untreated sewage at the selected site so as to convert the sewage from an untreated state to a pre-treated state in the pipeline infrastructure upstream of the sewage treatment facility.

Abstract: The invention concerns an optimized method for the treatment and energetic upgrading of urban and industrial sewage sludge. It consists of a <<novel>> combination of known and tested equipment, forming a compact assembly with six functions which are: anaerobic sludge digestion (1) and biogas production, mechanical dehydration (2) up to 22-24% of dry solid, a gas turbine installation (3) burning the biogas into <<total energy>>, thermal drying (4) of the sludge up to 92% of dry solid consisting of a thin-layer dryer and a vibrated dryer/cooler with fluid bed (4b), condensation of the vapors (5) for heating the digester and the premises, and optimized energetic upgrading (6) of the dried sludge as booster fuel capable of being stored and fed into the household refuse incinerating boiler-furnaces. The method according to the invention is also applicable to the treatment and transformation of liquid manure into granulated and bagged fertilizer.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for accommodating and handling excess deliveries of combined sewage overflows to a sewage treatment plant supported and contained within an offshore moored vessel or platform, by diverting the excess deliveries to ballast tanks for temporary displacement of clean ballast water and to be returned to the treatment system when excess deliveries of combined sewage overflow are relieved. Fluids contained within the ballast tanks are utilized to provide buoyant support for process tankage. Baffles within the ballast tanks minimize undesirable mixing of the combined sewage overflows with the resident clean ballast water.

Abstract: There is provided in the present invention a small bore sewer system comprising a clarifier tank for receiving sewage, separating liquid and solid sewage and retaining the solid sewage; and a collection device connected to the clarifier tank for receiving the liquid sewage and carrying it to a sewage treatment plant. The system may further include pumping stations and gravel and sand odor filters.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for processing relatively small volumes of waste water such as that found in residential home use. The system first comprises a chamber adapted to hold the waste water. The system further comprises a first filter adapted to remove course material from the waste water and a second filter adapted to remove fine materials from the waste water. The system further comprises a disinfectant chamber adapted to disinfect the waste water. The system comprises a pump adapted to pump the waste water from the chamber through the first and second filters, and the disinfectant chamber.

Abstract: A method of treating wastewater prior to being processed within a wastewater treatment facility is provided, wherein the wastewater is delivered to the wastewater treatment facility by a collection piping system having an interior surface, and wherein the wastewater includes a predominant waste material, the method comprising: introducing select microbes into the piping system in an amount proportional to the surface area of the interior surface of the piping system, wherein the select microbes are capable of completely consuming the predominant waste material in the wastewater, until a biomass comprising almost entirely the select microbes is formed along the interior surface of the piping system; monitoring the biological oxygen demand (BOD) level of the wastewater at a downstream location immediately prior to the wastewater treatment facility in comparison to a desired BOD level; and adjusting the introduction of the select microbes into the piping system in proportion to the average downstream flowrate of

Abstract: A waste water treatment system for wharf-mooring or riding-at-anchor vessels, boats, ships and watercraft in general, comprising a number of tanks adapted to be submerged and each provided with a respective drawing tube having a connector plug for watertight connection to a waste water outlet of a respective boat or the like. The tanks are connected to a self-contained purification installation for intaking and treating the sewage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for processing relatively small volumes of waste water such as that found in residential home use. The system first comprises a chamber adapted to hold the waste water. The system further comprises a first filter adapted to remove coarse material from the waste water and a second filter adapted to remove fine materials from the waste water. The system further comprises a disinfectant chamber adapted to disinfect the waste water. The system comprises a pump adapted to pump the waste water from the chamber through the first and second filters, and the disinfectant chamber.

Abstract: A method for conditioning sludge is disclosed which includes adding a treatment material to the sludge, the treatment material including pieces of cellulose with a hydrophobic agent applied thereto. A method for conditioning sludge is disclosed which includes adding a treatment material to the sludge, and the treatment material including pieces of cellulose with wax applied thereto, the pieces of cellulose ranging in size between one-eighth inch and seven-sixteenths inch in a largest dimension and having about 0.5% to about 3% wax by weight, and at least ninety percent of surface area of the pieces of cellulose covered with wax.

Abstract: A method of reducing undesirable gases in a wastewater collection piping system is provided, comprising the introduction of select microbes into the piping system at a frequency corresponding to the pumping activity of the pumping stations, and in an amount proportional to the surface area of the interior surface of the piping system; wherein the select microbes are capable of completely consuming the predominant waste material in the wastewater; and wherein an anaerobic biomass comprising almost entirely the select microbes is formed along the interior surface of the piping system. In the foregoing method, the select microbes are preferably non-pathenogenic and may be introduced in an initially non-active state. Furthermore, the select microbes may also be capable of functioning in either an aerobic or an anaerobic manner. In a more preferred embodiment, the level of nitrogen in the piping system is monitored, and the introduction of the select microbes is adjusted to maintain at least 0.

Abstract: A tertiary treatment unit is provided that has a first filtration unit operatively connected to an influent for filtering solids therefrom to form an effluent, a second filtration unit operatively connected to the first filtration unit to receive the effluent and to filter finer solids and bacteria and viruses from the effluent, a supply tank operatively connected to the effluent to provide chemicals that are mixed into the effluent, and a reactor that receives the effluent and removes nitrogen and some phosphorous therefrom to form a treated effluent. The treatment unit further has a first adsorption unit that receives the treated effluent and adsorbs additional nitrogen, BOD, TSS and certain chemicals from the treated effluent, and a second adsorption unit that receives the partially adsorbed treated effluent from the first adsorption unit and adsorbs additional phosphorous from the treated effluent to form the final effluent.

Abstract: A method for collecting and treating small particulate pollutants typically found on the surface of streets in areas where the storm sewer and sanitary sewer are maintained separately. The method includes temporarily isolating a portion of the storm sewer in the immediate vicinity of the street to prevent any collected runoff from passing into the storm sewer, and then flushing the street with a stream of water to remove and collect the solid pollutants from the street surface. The flushing water containing the removed solid pollutants is collected and contained in the isolated storm sewer portion, and is then pumped into the sanitary sewer system for treatment in existing sewage treatment facilities.

Abstract: A system and method for treating wastewater containing industrial esters collected from grease traps at food establishments, septic tanks or from sludge digesters by increasing the pH of the wastewater to break down the ester. The increased pH wastewater is mixed to a predetermined mean velocity gradient which allows the influent to react. The reacted influent is then stabilized to lower the pH to normal levels suitable for input into a municipal wastewater treatment facility. Volatile gases are drawn off from all of the reactor tanks and placed into a treatment tank. In the tank a reduction of the bacterial and odor level occurs when the wastewater reacts with the chlorine-containing water output of the municipal wastewater treatment facility.

Abstract: An offshore sewage treatment facility or sludge facility is serviced on a ship. The ship is secured and in position by means of a single point mooring system which is attached to the vessel's stem or stern and is connected to a submerged pipeline as a conduit from the shore. This offshore facility is alternatively housed aboard a conventional offshore platform. The facility is totally and/or partially energy self sufficient by means of utilizing methane gas generated by the processing plant. The processing facility allows for primary and secondary waste water treatment and digestion, dehydration of sludge or solids, generation of methane gas, drying of sludge or solids and pelletization of sludge with end products or by-products of recyclable water for industrial and/or agricultural purposes, fertilizer after the dry sludge is mixed with potash, or the dry sludge may be manufactured into blocks suitable for the construction of buildings.

Abstract: A configuration of an aeration chamber for an activated-sludge treatment plant includes an elongated, hydraulic plug-flow aeration chamber with a floor having a sloped portion and a level portion. The level portion, which acts as a collection area for the activated sludge, is adjacent the air diffusers of the aeration chamber at the point of maximum turbulence within the chamber. By using the force of gravity to assist in returning the activated sludge to the point of maximum turbulence, the aeration chamber of the present invention is able to process sewage in a more efficient manner.

Abstract: One or more thin-wall tubes called "equiducts" are located near or on the bottom of a body of water such as a lake or ocean, or, more typically, in a water artery such as a river or stream. When the tubes are used for waste transport along a river, communities and industrial plants discharge their sewage and other wastes into the tubes at various locations along the river. The liquids in the tubes are in fluid equilibrium with the surrounding water, so that the tube walls can be thin and made of relatively inexpensive materials. The liquids are carried downstream in the tubes by the natural grade of the river bed, and by pumps located at spaced intervals on the river bed. The liquids are conducted to one of several different disposal arrangements. One disposal arrangement is a conventional on-shore processing plant. Another is simply a deep-water disposal site far out into the ocean or a large lake at the end of the river.