# US 2006/0065593 A1 · Induced sludge bed anaerobic reactor

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- Number: US 2006/0065593 A1
- Document ID: US20060065593A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 11/272,293
- Filed: 2005-11-10
- Published: 2006-03-30
- Earliest claimed: 2001-12-19
- Assignees: Andigen, LLC; Utah State University
- Inventors: Conly Hansen; Carl Hansen; Edward Watts; Kevin Pack
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20060065593A1

## CPC

- C02F 3/2846: {using upflow anaerobic sludge blanket [UASB] reactors}
- C12M 21/04: {for producing gas, e.g. biogas (digesters for manure with production of biogas A01C3/028, biological treatment of water, waste water or sewage C02F3/00, C02F11/02, preparation of natural gas or syngas C10L3/06, C10L3/10)}
- C12M 23/34: {Internal compartments or partitions}
- C12M 27/02: {Stirrer or mobile mixing elements}
- C02F: TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE (separation in general B01D; special arrangements on waterborne vessels of installations for treating water, waste water or sewage, e.g. for producing fresh water, B63J; adding materials to water to prevent corrosion C23F; treating radioactively-contaminated liquids G21F9/04; regeneration of reactants for recirculation into processes, see the relevant places for the processes)
- C12M: APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; {APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS}

## Abstract

An induced sludge bed anaerobic reactor includes a vessel in which a septum or other partition is positioned to maintain solids in wastewater being treated toward a lower zone in the reactor. A gas trap, which may also comprise an overpressure protection device, may be arranged at an outlet of the vessel. A distribution plate may be located at an inlet. A central aperture is formed in the septum into which a plug control mechanism, such as an auger, may be positioned to force solids to the lower zone of the reactor or, alternatively, pull solids up above the septum so that they can be removed from the vessel, if desired. A mixer may be utilized in connection with the bioreactor to mix the contents and prevent a crust from forming at the top of the bioreactor. Still further, a wall may be positioned to extend above the septum around its perimeter to assist in separating solids from the wastewater. The various types of bacteria used in the anaerobic process may also be separated, according to the present invention, in either a single vessel or multiple vessels so that the conditions of each respective vessel can be altered as desired.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor, comprising:
a vessel;
an inlet coupled to the vessel, the inlet introducing wastewater into the vessel;
a first outlet coupled to the vessel, the first outlet directing wastewater to the outside of the vessel;
a gas port coupled to the vessel, the gas port collecting gasses produced in the vessel;
a septum having a periphery, the septum positioned within the vessel to maintain solid particles below the septum;
an aperture formed in the septum.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

An induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor according to claim 1 wherein the septum tapers from an apex to side walls of the vessel.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

An induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor according to claim 1 wherein:
the septum tapers from an apex to a side wall of the vessel;
the first outlet is coupled to the side wall of the vessel at an elevation between the apex and the periphery of the septum at the side wall.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

An induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor according to claim 1, further comprising a second outlet coupled to the vessel adjacent to the first outlet, wherein:
the septum tapers from an apex to a side wall of the vessel;
the first outlet is coupled to the side wall of the vessel at a first elevation between the apex and the periphery of the septum at the side wall;
the second outlet is coupled to the side wall of the vessel at a second elevation.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

An induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor according to claim 1, further comprising a second outlet coupled to the vessel adjacent to the first outlet wherein:
the septum tapers from an apex to a side wall of the vessel;
the first outlet is coupled to the side wall of the vessel at an elevation between the apex and the periphery of the septum at the side wall;
the second outlet is coupled to the side wall between the first outlet and the periphery of the septum at the side wall.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

An induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor according to claim 1, further comprising a second outlet coupled to the vessel adjacent to the first outlet wherein:
the septum tapers from an apex to a side wall of the vessel;
the first outlet is coupled to the side wall of the vessel at an elevation between the apex and the periphery of the septum at the side wall;
the second outlet is coupled to the side wall between the first outlet and the periphery of the septum at the side wall;
the first and second outlets are fluidly connected in series and to a recirculation pump capable of moving solids from above the septum back into the vessel below the septum.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

An induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor according to claim 1 wherein the septum is generally flat.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

An induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor according to claim 1 wherein:
the septum slopes upward from an inverted apex to a side wall of the vessel.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

An induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor according to claim 1 wherein the first outlet comprises a gas trap and overpressure device.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

An induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor according to claim 1 wherein the first outlet comprises a gas trap and overpressure device, the gas trap and overpressure device comprising an inverted P-trap.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

An induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor according to claim 1 wherein:
the septum tapers from an apex to a side wall of the vessel;
the first outlet comprises a gas trap and overpressure device, the gas trap and overpressure device comprising an inverted P-trap, wherein a center of a top of the inverted P-trap is located at an elevation approximately equal to the apex.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

An induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor according to claim 1 wherein the first outlet comprises a gas trap and overpressure device, the gas trap and overflow device comprising an inverted P-trap with a cleanout.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

An induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor according to claim 1 wherein the first outlet comprises a gas trap and overpressure device, wherein the gas trap and overpressure device release gas through the first outlet at a predetermined pressure.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

An induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor according to claim 1 wherein the first outlet comprises a passive gas trap and overpressure device, wherein the passive gas trap and overpressure device releases gas through the first outlet when gas pressure in the vessel above the septum reaches approximately ten to twenty inches of water.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

An induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor according to claim 1 wherein the first outlet comprises a passive gas trap and overpressure device, wherein the passive gas trap and overpressure device releases gas through the first outlet when gas pressure in the vessel above the septum reaches approximately twelve inches of water.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

An induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor according to claim 1, further comprising a distribution plate disposed in the vessel at the inlet.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

An induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor according to claim 1 wherein the inlet comprises a pipe extended into the vessel to a tee, the tee emptying into the vessel in two directions, and further comprising a distribution plate disposed in the vessel at one exit of the tee.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

An induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor according to claim 1, further comprising a distribution plate attached to a pedestal disposed in the vessel, the pedestal being attached to a floor of the vessel, wherein the pedestal is adjacent to but spaced from the inlet.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

An induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor according to claim 1 wherein:
the septum tapers from an apex to a side wall of the vessel, wherein the apex is elevated from the side wall by approximately one to three inches.

### Claim 20

An apparatus, comprising:
an induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor, the reactor comprising:
a vessel;
an inlet coupled to the vessel, the inlet introducing wastewater into the vessel;
a first outlet coupled to the vessel, the first outlet directing wastewater to the outside of the vessel, the first outlet comprising a gas trap;
a gas port coupled to the vessel, the gas port collecting gasses produced in the vessel;
a septum having a periphery, the septum positioned within the vessel to maintain solid particles below the septum;
an aperture formed in the septum inside the periphery.

### Claim 21 (depends on 20)

An apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the a gas trap comprises a P-trap.

### Claim 22 (depends on 20)

An apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising a second outlet in fluid communication with the first outlet, and wherein the gas trap comprises an inverted P-trap.

### Claim 23 (depends on 20)

An apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising a second outlet in fluid communication with the first outlet, the second outlet disposed at a lower elevation on the vessel than the first outlet and located above the septum, wherein the gas trap comprises an inverted P-trap.

### Claim 24 (depends on 20)

An apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising a second outlet in fluid communication with the first outlet, the second outlet disposed at a lower elevation on the vessel than the first outlet and located just above the septum, wherein the gas trap comprises an inverted P-trap with a cleanout, wherein the second outlet leads to a recirculation pump in fluid communication with the vessel below the septum.

### Claim 25

An apparatus, comprising:
an induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor, the reactor comprising:
a vessel;
an inlet coupled to the vessel, the inlet introducing wastewater into the vessel;
a septum having a periphery, the septum positioned within the vessel to maintain solid particles below the septum;
an aperture formed in the septum inside the periphery;
a first outlet coupled to the vessel, the first outlet arranged above the septum and directing wastewater to the outside of the vessel, the first outlet comprising a gas trap and overpressure device;
a second outlet coupled to the vessel at an elevation lower than the first outlet and above the septum;
a gas port coupled to the vessel, the gas port collecting gasses produced in the vessel;
a distribution plate inside the vessel at the inlet.

### Claim 26

A method of processing wastewater through anaerobic digestion, comprising:
sending a flow of wastewater into a vessel to hold wastewater;
anaerobically digesting the wastewater with bacteria;
retaining solids from the wastewater in a lower zone of the vessel with a septum;
releasing gases generated in the lower zone of the vessel through an aperture in the septum;
controlling plugging of the aperture;
trapping gas at an effluent outlet to the vessel;
collecting the gases generated in the lower zone of the vessel;
protecting against overpressure of the collected gases.

### Claim 27 (depends on 26)

A method of processing wastewater through anaerobic digestion according to claim 26, further comprising recirculating solids that pass through the aperture back to the lower zone.

### Claim 28

An apparatus, comprising:
an induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor, the reactor comprising:
a vessel;
an inlet coupled to the vessel, the inlet introducing wastewater into the vessel;
a first outlet coupled to the vessel, the first outlet directing wastewater to the outside of the vessel;
a gas port coupled to the vessel, the gas port collecting gasses produced in the vessel;
a septum arranged substantially flat within the vessel, the septum maintaining solid particles therebelow, the septum positioned within the vessel to maintain solid particles below the septum;
an aperture formed in the septum.

### Claim 29 (depends on 28)

An apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the first outlet comprises a gas trap and overpressure device.

### Claim 30 (depends on 28)

An apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the first outlet comprises a gas trap and overpressure device, the gas trap and overpressure device comprising an inverted P-trap.

### Claim 31 (depends on 28)

An apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the first outlet comprises:
a downward sloping segment;
an inverted P-trap, extending from the downward sloping segment;
wherein a center of a top of the inverted P-trap is located at an elevation higher than the septum.

### Claim 32 (depends on 28)

An apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the first outlet comprises:
a downward sloping segment;
an inverted P-trap extending from the downward sloping segment;
a cleanout port disposed in the inverted P-trap;
a valved bypass downstream of the downward sloping segment and in fluid communication with the inverted P-trap.

### Claim 33 (depends on 28)

An apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the first outlet comprises a passive gas trap and overpressure device, wherein the passive gas trap and overpressure device releases gas through the first outlet when gas pressure in the vessel above the septum reaches approximately ten to twenty inches of water.

### Claim 34

An apparatus, comprising:
an induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor, the reactor comprising:
a vessel;
an inlet coupled to the vessel, the inlet introducing wastewater into the vessel;
a first outlet coupled to the vessel, the first outlet directing wastewater to the outside of the vessel;
a gas port coupled to the vessel, the gas port collecting gasses produced in the vessel;
a septum arranged within the vessel, the septum maintaining solid particles therebelow, the septum comprising an upward slope from a lowest portion to a side wall of the vessel;
an aperture formed in the septum.

### Claim 35 (depends on 34)

An apparatus according to claim 34, further comprising a plate disposed below and contacting the septum.

### Claim 36 (depends on 34)

An apparatus according to claim 34, further comprising a generally flat plate under the septum, the generally flat plate comprising an aperture aligned with the aperture of the septum, the generally flat plate cooperating with the septum to enclose an area between the generally flat plate and a sloping surface of the septum.

### Claim 37 (depends on 34)

An apparatus according to claim 34 wherein the first outlet comprises:
a downward sloping segment;
an inverted P-trap extending from the downward sloping segment;
wherein a center of a top of the inverted P-trap is located at an elevation higher than the septum.

### Claim 38 (depends on 34)

An apparatus according to claim 34 wherein the first outlet comprises:
a downward sloping segment;
an inverted P-trap, extending from the downward sloping segment;
a cleanout port disposed in the inverted P-trap;
a valved bypass downstream of the downward sloping segment and in fluid communication with the inverted P-trap.