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US 2012/0072196 A1Published application
Core column simulator for a wastewater biotreatment system and methods of use
AssigneeEnviron International Corporation
InventorCarl E. Adams
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A core column simulator device and methods of assessing the efficacy of a wastewater biotreatment system using the core column simulator device are disclosed.
Claims23
A core column simulation device for assessing an efficacy of a wastewater biotreatment system, the device comprising:
- a. a column simulation subsystem for simulating an operation of the wastewater biotreatment system using a sample obtained from the wastewater biotreatment system;
- b. a sample extraction subsystem to transfer an amount of fluid comprising an aqueous suspension of biomass from the wastewater biotreatment system into a sample volume within the column simulation subsystem at a simulated extraction rate that is equivalent or representative of a full-scale rate through a corresponding volume of a core of wastewater extending a total water depth within the wastewater biotreatment system, wherein the sample extraction subsystem is operatively connected to the column simulation subsystem and to the wastewater biotreatment system;
- c. a sample return subsystem to transfer an amount of mixed liquor from the column simulation subsystem to the wastewater biotreatment system at a return rate sufficient to maintain a constant amount of fluid within the sample volume, wherein the sample return subsystem is operatively connected to the column simulation subsystem and to the wastewater biotreatment system;
- d. an aeration subsystem to introduce an aeration gas into the sample volume at a simulated aeration rate that is representative of a volumetric aeration rate of the wastewater treatment system, wherein the aeration subsystem is operatively connected to the column simulation subsystem;
- e. a gas emission subsystem to release a gas mixture from the column simulation subsystem, wherein the gas emission subsystem is operatively connected to the column simulation subsystem;
- and,
- f. a measurement subsystem to monitor at least one property of at least one fluid associated with an assessment performed by the column simulation device, wherein the measurement subsystem is operatively connected to the column simulation subsystem.
4 more elements
A core column simulation device for assessing an efficacy of a wastewater biotreatment system, the device comprising:
- a. a cylinder enclosing an interior volume, wherein the cylinder comprises an upper end and a lower end, and wherein the lower end is situated in proximity to a base of a treatment tank of the wastewater biotreatment system;
- b. a gas vent pipe comprising a gas connection end and a gas outlet end opposite to the gas connection end, wherein the gas connection end is connected in fluid communication with the upper end of the cylinder;
- c. a sample return pipe comprising a sample return connection end and a sample outlet end opposite to the sample return connection end, wherein the sample return connection end is connected in fluid communication with the upper end of the cylinder and wherein the sample outlet end is connected in fluid communication with the wastewater biotreatment system;
- d. a sample inlet pipe comprising a sample inlet connection end and a wastewater biotreatment system connection end opposite to the sample inlet connection end, wherein the sample inlet connection end is connected in fluid communication with the lower end of the cylinder, and wherein the wastewater biotreatment system connection end is connected in fluid communication with the wastewater biotreatment system;
- e. a sample pump operatively connected to the sample inlet pipe between the sample inlet connection end and the wastewater biotreatment system connection end, wherein the sample pump receives fluid comprising an amount of biomatter from the wastewater biotreatment system and pumps the fluid into the lower end of the cylinder;
- and,
- f. an aeration pipe comprising an aeration inlet end and an aeration connection end opposite to the aeration inlet end, wherein the aeration connection end is connected in fluid communication with the lower end of the cylinder.
4 more elements
A method for assessing an efficacy of a wastewater treatment system using a core column simulation device, the method comprising:
- a. providing the core column simulation device comprising a cylinder, a sample connection pipe, an aeration fitting, a gas vent pipe, a gas sample port, and a gas analysis device;
- b. pumping an amount of fluid comprising an aqueous suspension of biomass into the cylinder from the wastewater treatment system through the sample connection pipe to obtain a sample inside of the cylinder at a sample extraction rate;
- c. introducing atmospheric air into the sample through the aeration fitting at a simulated aeration rate representative of an operational aeration rate in the wastewater biotreatment system;
- d. introducing wastewater into the sample at a simulated wastewater flow rate representative of an operational wastewater flow rate in the wastewater biotreatment system;
- and,
- e. monitoring a composition of an off-gas emitted from the gas vent pipe using the gas analysis device operatively connected to the gas vent pipe.
3 more elements
A method of assessing a volatile organic gas elimination efficacy of a wastewater treatment system using a core column simulation device, the method comprising:
- a. providing the core column simulation device comprising a cylinder, a sample connection pipe, an aeration fitting, a gas vent pipe, a gas sample port, and a gas analysis device;
- b. pumping an amount of fluid comprising an aqueous suspension of biomass into the cylinder from the wastewater treatment system through the sample connection pipe to obtain a sample inside of the cylinder at a sample extraction rate;
- c. introducing atmospheric air into the sample through the aeration fitting at a simulated aeration rate representative of an operational aeration rate in the wastewater biotreatment system;
- d. introducing wastewater into the sample at a simulated wastewater flow rate representative of an operational wastewater flow rate in the wastewater biotreatment system;
- e. injecting at least one calibration gas comprising at least one volatile organic compound through the aeration fitting at a gradually increasing calibration gas insertion rate;
- f. monitoring a composition of an off-gas emitted from the gas vent pipe using the gas analysis device operatively connected to the gas vent pipe;
- g. calculating an elimination factor comprising an amount of vented calibration gas as a percentage of an amount of injected calibration gas;
- and,
- h. comparing the elimination factor to an elimination standard to assess the efficacy of the wastewater biotreatment system.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.