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US 12,185,656 B2Granted
Multi-zone process and apparatus for treating wastewater
OwnerJustin Buck, Matthew Silver +3inventors
InventorsJustin Buck, Matthew Silver, Zhen Huang, Tzipora Wagner, Matthew Dorson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Wastewater containing organic matter may be treated using a multi-zone apparatus. In a first zone, organic matter in the wastewater may, among other things, be converted to at least volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and, thereafter, a portion of the treated wastewater may flow to a second zone that may, among other things, convert the VFAs to methane.
Claims20
An apparatus for treating wastewater comprising:
- a first zone adapted to receive a mixed stream comprising previous, anaerobically treated wastewater from a second zone, wherein the previous, anaerobically treated wastewater facilitates direct transport and passage of one or more second biological microbes from the second zone to the first zone, said first zone comprising a first bioreaction zone, wherein the first bioreaction zone is configured with one or more retaining or facilitating structures that retain or facilitate growth of one or more first biological microbes and convert organic matter in a first liquid stream or a combination of the first stream and the mixed stream into at least carbon dioxide to produce treated wastewater;
- a second zone adapted to receive the treated wastewater from the first zone, said second zone comprising a second bioreaction zone comprising a plurality of anaerobically facilitating structures configured to anaerobically facilitate growth of one or more second biological microbes;
- and
- wherein said plurality of anaerobically facilitating structures comprise a pair of electrodes comprising both an anode and a cathode configured to further treat the wastewater and at least convert the carbon dioxide into methane.
1 more element
An apparatus for treating wastewater comprising:
- a first zone adapted to receive a mixed stream comprising previous, anaerobically treated wastewater from a second zone, wherein the previous, anaerobically treated wastewater facilitates direct transport and passage of one or more second biological microbes from the second zone to the first zone, said first zone comprising a first bioreaction zone, wherein the first bioreaction zone is configured with one or more retaining or facilitating structures that retain or facilitate growth of one or more first biological microbes and convert organic matter in a first liquid stream or a combination of the first stream and the mixed stream into at least hydrogen to produce treated wastewater;
- a second zone adapted to receive the treated wastewater from the first zone, said second zone comprising a second bioreaction zone comprising a plurality of anaerobically facilitating structures configured to anaerobically facilitate growth of one or more second biological microbes;
- and
- wherein said plurality of anaerobically facilitating structures comprise a pair of electrodes comprising both an anode and a cathode configured to further treat the wastewater and at least convert the hydrogen into methane.
1 more element
An apparatus for treating wastewater comprising:
- a first zone adapted to receive a mixed stream comprising previous, anaerobically treated wastewater from a second zone, wherein the previous, anaerobically treated wastewater facilitates direct transport and passage of one or more second biological microbes from the second zone to the first zone, said first zone comprising a first bioreaction zone, wherein the first bioreaction zone is configured to produce treated wastewater;
- a second zone adapted to receive the treated wastewater from the first zone, said second zone comprising a second bioreaction zone comprising a plurality of anaerobically facilitating structures configured to anaerobically facilitate growth of one or more second biological microbes;
- and
- wherein said plurality of anaerobically facilitating structures comprise a pair of electrodes comprising both an anode and a cathode configured to further treat the wastewater.
1 more element
An apparatus for treating wastewater comprising:
- a first zone adapted to receive a mixed stream comprising previous, anaerobically treated wastewater from a second zone, wherein the previous, anaerobically treated wastewater facilitates direct transport and passage of one or more methanogenic microbes or methanogens from the second zone to the first zone, said first zone comprising a first bioreaction zone, wherein the first bioreaction zone is configured to produce treated wastewater;
- a second zone adapted to receive the treated wastewater from the first zone, said second zone comprising a second bioreaction zone comprising a plurality of anaerobically facilitating structures configured to anaerobically facilitate growth of the one or more methanogenic microbes or methanogens;
- and
- wherein said plurality of anaerobically facilitating structures comprise a pair of electrodes comprising both an anode and a cathode configured to further treat the wastewater.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.