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5194147 Decontamination system
PATENT ABSTRACTS
248
the chlorine dioxide in the treatment solution which attacks and destroys the infectious constituents of the waste, thereby decontaminating the waste. Upon dewatering, the decontaminated waste is suitable for landfilling. Process control is exercised by controlling the temperature of the aqueous solvent. A solvent temperature is selected which optimizes both the chlorine dioxide concentration in the treatment solution and the reactivity of the chlorine dioxide with the infectious constituents. Continuous monitoring of the chlorine dioxide concentration in the treatment solution enables adjustment of the solvent preheat temperature to optimal values in accordance with the dynamics of the treatment system.
5192428 PORTABLE SYSTEM FOR TREATING HUMAN WASTE Carl Lindstrom assigned to Clivus Multrum Inc A new portable system is disclosed for composting feces and for treating urine includes a composting retainer which includes a composting means for exposing the feces to sufficient air and water to allow the feces to compost, thereby forming a compost product. A urinetreatment retainer with aerobic nitrifying bacteria disposed on a substrate whereby urine is treated by the bacteria, thereby forming a liquid product. A means is available for transporting the portable system.
homogeneous suspension in this water, and is maintained at a more or less constant mass concentration; this water and this granular material in suspension are circulated in a separation zone from which is extracted on the one hand clarified water, and on the other hand biomass loaded granular material; and almost all of the active biomass fixed on said granular material is brought back by forced recycling to the mixing zone.
5192456 APPARATUS FOR TREATING ACTIVATED SLUDGE AND METHOD OF CLEANING IT Hiroshi Ishida, Yutaka Yamada, Kiyoshi Izumi, Masashi Moro, Paris, assigned to Kubota Corporation An activated sludge treating apparatus for use in treating wastewater, such as gray water and sewage. A plurality of filter membrane modules are vertically arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals within a treating tank. The water to be treated which is stored in the treating tank is separated into solid and liquid by the filter membrane modules, and water that has passed through the filter membrane modules is extracted as treated water. An agitating device is disposed at a level below the filter membrane modules.
5194147 5192441 PROCESS AND INSTALLATION FOR BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT, E.G. BY N I T R I F I C A T I O N A N D / O R DENITRIFICATION, OF AN EFFLUENT INCLUDING NITRATED POLLUTION Jacques Sibony, Gilbert Desbos, Paris, France assigned to Omnium de Traitements et de Valorisation (OTV) A process for the biological treatment by nitrification and/or denitrification of an effluent containing nitrogen pollution includes the following steps: an incident flow of this water is brought into a mixing zone with at least one compartment in which, by turbulent mechanical agitation, an inconsumable and insoluble granular material, loaded with biomass, is put in
DECONTAMINATION
SYSTEM
Margre Augustine, Carl N Hodges, Linda S Leigh assigned to Space Biospheres Ventures Solutions containing pesticide wastes from greenhouses, for example, are decontaminated in a system including a soil bed reactor. Waste water from the greenhouse goes to a sample tank from which samples are withdrawn for assay of toxicity. Water from the sample tank goes to a holding tank, or to a downstream subsystemif toxicity level is low. Water in the holding tank is aerated to promote degradation of toxic materials. Water from the holding tank is applied near the upper surface of a layer of soil in the soil bed reactor. Air from the sample tank and holding tank, and intermittently, air conraining pesticides from the greenhouse, is also passed through the layer of soil in the soil bed reactor. Microbial action in the soil degrades
PATENT ABSTRACTS toxic materials in both the gaseous and liquid streams. Water from the soil bed reactor may then be discharged to a pond populated by plant and animal species which promote further degradation of any remaining toxic materials before the water is discharged from the system. A bioassay technique employing aquatic amphipods sensitive to water borne toxic materials is provided for routine screening of toxicity levels in the various solutions in the system.
5196069 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CELLULOSE PROCESSING USING MICROWAVE PRETREATMENT Hatice Cullingford, Clifford E George, George R Lightsey assigned to The United States of America as represented by the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration A method for pretreating a cellulosic waste product with microwaves is disclosed as well as a method and apparatus for converting cellulosic wastes into soluble saecharides. The invention greatly enhances a reaction rate for enzymatic hydrolysis. A feed mixture of cellulose, water and acetic acid are irradiated with microwaves at a superatmospberic pressure in an autoclave reaction vessel and the treated cellulose is enzymatically hydrolyzed in a bioreactor. The acid and enzymes are optionally separated for reuse. As a feed stock for the culture of microbes, the sugars can be further processed into ethanol or food protein. High yield, low hazard potential, low energy usage and ready preparation in space of acetic acid and the enzyme makes the present invention well suited for use on long duration space missions.
5196111 REACTOR FOR THE BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT SEWAGE
OF
Roger Nicol, Vincen Savall, Issy les Moulineanx, France assigned to Degremont Improved reactor for the biological treatment of sewage, intended to replace the aeration tank in plants comprising an anaerobic tank in which denitrification takes place, an anaeration tank where the nitrification of the effluents by aerobic bacteria is carried out and a final clarifier, which
249
comprises a single tank having three separate zones which are, in the order in which the liquid to be treated passes through them successively: an aeration operating with plug flow; an anaerobic zone; and a completely mixed zone comprising means permitting it to operate under adjustable aeration conditions.
5196121 DECOMPOSITION OF HALOGENATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS IN A BIOREACTOR Alan T Moore, Maureen C Leahy, M Margaret Findlay, Sam Fogel, Issyles Moulineaux, assigned to ABB Environmental Services Inc Methanotropics are grown in a bioreactor containing a solid support. They decompose halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons found in ground water. The growth of the bacteria and the methane concentrations in the biomass reactor are controlled to significantly enhance the degradation of the hydrocarbons.
5200082 METHOD FOR REMOVING TOXIC SUBSTANCES FROM INDUSTRIAL AND AGRICULTURAL WASTE WATER Orrie C Olsen, Peter Santina, Issy les Moulineaux, assigned to Santina Water Company A method and system for removing toxic substances such as selenium from industrial and agricultural drain water, and particularly refinery effluent liquor, achieves very high removal of the toxic substance economically, by a chemical reduction process. Preferably, the effluent liquor is first filtered, which ordinarily is effective to remove selenium suspended in the liquor. Next the liquor is heated, preferably to about 150 degrees F., and a reducing agent such as finely powdered iron is added to bring, for example, the selenium down from a + 6 valence to + 4 and lower valences. Sulfur is added to the slurry to greatly improve the effectiveness of the iron in reducing the liquor. The slurry is constantly agitated. After a reaction time which may be about 15 minutes, an oxidizing agent is added, with the temperature of the slurry then raised to
248
the chlorine dioxide in the treatment solution which attacks and destroys the infectious constituents of the waste, thereby decontaminating the waste. Upon dewatering, the decontaminated waste is suitable for landfilling. Process control is exercised by controlling the temperature of the aqueous solvent. A solvent temperature is selected which optimizes both the chlorine dioxide concentration in the treatment solution and the reactivity of the chlorine dioxide with the infectious constituents. Continuous monitoring of the chlorine dioxide concentration in the treatment solution enables adjustment of the solvent preheat temperature to optimal values in accordance with the dynamics of the treatment system.
5192428 PORTABLE SYSTEM FOR TREATING HUMAN WASTE Carl Lindstrom assigned to Clivus Multrum Inc A new portable system is disclosed for composting feces and for treating urine includes a composting retainer which includes a composting means for exposing the feces to sufficient air and water to allow the feces to compost, thereby forming a compost product. A urinetreatment retainer with aerobic nitrifying bacteria disposed on a substrate whereby urine is treated by the bacteria, thereby forming a liquid product. A means is available for transporting the portable system.
homogeneous suspension in this water, and is maintained at a more or less constant mass concentration; this water and this granular material in suspension are circulated in a separation zone from which is extracted on the one hand clarified water, and on the other hand biomass loaded granular material; and almost all of the active biomass fixed on said granular material is brought back by forced recycling to the mixing zone.
5192456 APPARATUS FOR TREATING ACTIVATED SLUDGE AND METHOD OF CLEANING IT Hiroshi Ishida, Yutaka Yamada, Kiyoshi Izumi, Masashi Moro, Paris, assigned to Kubota Corporation An activated sludge treating apparatus for use in treating wastewater, such as gray water and sewage. A plurality of filter membrane modules are vertically arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals within a treating tank. The water to be treated which is stored in the treating tank is separated into solid and liquid by the filter membrane modules, and water that has passed through the filter membrane modules is extracted as treated water. An agitating device is disposed at a level below the filter membrane modules.
5194147 5192441 PROCESS AND INSTALLATION FOR BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT, E.G. BY N I T R I F I C A T I O N A N D / O R DENITRIFICATION, OF AN EFFLUENT INCLUDING NITRATED POLLUTION Jacques Sibony, Gilbert Desbos, Paris, France assigned to Omnium de Traitements et de Valorisation (OTV) A process for the biological treatment by nitrification and/or denitrification of an effluent containing nitrogen pollution includes the following steps: an incident flow of this water is brought into a mixing zone with at least one compartment in which, by turbulent mechanical agitation, an inconsumable and insoluble granular material, loaded with biomass, is put in
DECONTAMINATION
SYSTEM
Margre Augustine, Carl N Hodges, Linda S Leigh assigned to Space Biospheres Ventures Solutions containing pesticide wastes from greenhouses, for example, are decontaminated in a system including a soil bed reactor. Waste water from the greenhouse goes to a sample tank from which samples are withdrawn for assay of toxicity. Water from the sample tank goes to a holding tank, or to a downstream subsystemif toxicity level is low. Water in the holding tank is aerated to promote degradation of toxic materials. Water from the holding tank is applied near the upper surface of a layer of soil in the soil bed reactor. Air from the sample tank and holding tank, and intermittently, air conraining pesticides from the greenhouse, is also passed through the layer of soil in the soil bed reactor. Microbial action in the soil degrades
PATENT ABSTRACTS toxic materials in both the gaseous and liquid streams. Water from the soil bed reactor may then be discharged to a pond populated by plant and animal species which promote further degradation of any remaining toxic materials before the water is discharged from the system. A bioassay technique employing aquatic amphipods sensitive to water borne toxic materials is provided for routine screening of toxicity levels in the various solutions in the system.
5196069 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CELLULOSE PROCESSING USING MICROWAVE PRETREATMENT Hatice Cullingford, Clifford E George, George R Lightsey assigned to The United States of America as represented by the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration A method for pretreating a cellulosic waste product with microwaves is disclosed as well as a method and apparatus for converting cellulosic wastes into soluble saecharides. The invention greatly enhances a reaction rate for enzymatic hydrolysis. A feed mixture of cellulose, water and acetic acid are irradiated with microwaves at a superatmospberic pressure in an autoclave reaction vessel and the treated cellulose is enzymatically hydrolyzed in a bioreactor. The acid and enzymes are optionally separated for reuse. As a feed stock for the culture of microbes, the sugars can be further processed into ethanol or food protein. High yield, low hazard potential, low energy usage and ready preparation in space of acetic acid and the enzyme makes the present invention well suited for use on long duration space missions.
5196111 REACTOR FOR THE BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT SEWAGE
OF
Roger Nicol, Vincen Savall, Issy les Moulineanx, France assigned to Degremont Improved reactor for the biological treatment of sewage, intended to replace the aeration tank in plants comprising an anaerobic tank in which denitrification takes place, an anaeration tank where the nitrification of the effluents by aerobic bacteria is carried out and a final clarifier, which
249
comprises a single tank having three separate zones which are, in the order in which the liquid to be treated passes through them successively: an aeration operating with plug flow; an anaerobic zone; and a completely mixed zone comprising means permitting it to operate under adjustable aeration conditions.
5196121 DECOMPOSITION OF HALOGENATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS IN A BIOREACTOR Alan T Moore, Maureen C Leahy, M Margaret Findlay, Sam Fogel, Issyles Moulineaux, assigned to ABB Environmental Services Inc Methanotropics are grown in a bioreactor containing a solid support. They decompose halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons found in ground water. The growth of the bacteria and the methane concentrations in the biomass reactor are controlled to significantly enhance the degradation of the hydrocarbons.
5200082 METHOD FOR REMOVING TOXIC SUBSTANCES FROM INDUSTRIAL AND AGRICULTURAL WASTE WATER Orrie C Olsen, Peter Santina, Issy les Moulineaux, assigned to Santina Water Company A method and system for removing toxic substances such as selenium from industrial and agricultural drain water, and particularly refinery effluent liquor, achieves very high removal of the toxic substance economically, by a chemical reduction process. Preferably, the effluent liquor is first filtered, which ordinarily is effective to remove selenium suspended in the liquor. Next the liquor is heated, preferably to about 150 degrees F., and a reducing agent such as finely powdered iron is added to bring, for example, the selenium down from a + 6 valence to + 4 and lower valences. Sulfur is added to the slurry to greatly improve the effectiveness of the iron in reducing the liquor. The slurry is constantly agitated. After a reaction time which may be about 15 minutes, an oxidizing agent is added, with the temperature of the slurry then raised to