# US 2016/0355424 A1 · Assemblies and methods for treating wastewater

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- Number: US 2016/0355424 A1
- Document ID: US20160355424A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/545,270
- Filed: 2015-04-15
- Published: 2016-12-08
- Earliest claimed: 2013-10-10
- Inventors: Colin A. LENNOX
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160355424A1

## CPC

- C02F 3/06: using submerged filters
- C02F 3/101: {Arranged-type packing, e.g. stacks, arrays}
- C02F 3/109: {Characterized by the shape (C02F3/104 takes precedence)}
- C02F 2101/20: Heavy metals or heavy metal compounds
- C02F 2103/001: {Runoff or storm water}
- C02F 2103/10: from quarries or from mining activities
- C02F 2203/008: Mobile apparatus and plants, e.g. mounted on a vehicle
- Y02W 10/10: Biological treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
- Y02W 10/37: using solar energy
- 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)
- Y02W: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT

## Abstract

An assembly for treating wastewater may include a vessel having an inlet configured to direct wastewater into the vessel and an outlet configured to direct treated water out of the vessel. The inlet and the outlet are generally disposed at opposite ends of the longitudinal dimension of the vessel such that the wastewater generally flows in the longitudinal direction. The assembly includes at least one mass of loose fibre matrix removably inserted into the vessel. The at least one mass of loose fibre matrix extends substantially across a width dimension of the vessel, wherein the width dimension is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension. The mass of loose fibre matrix supports the growth of a biofilm-coated matrix that permits the flow of wastewater through the mass of loose fibre matrix. The vessel and the mass of loose fibre matrix are sized and arranged such that the wastewater is exposed to the biofilm-coated matrix for a time sufficient to remove a desired metal from the wastewater.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An assembly for treating wastewater, comprising:
a vessel having an inlet configured to direct wastewater into the vessel and an outlet configured to direct treated water out of the vessel, the inlet and the outlet being at opposite ends of the longitudinal dimension of the vessel such that the wastewater generally flows in the longitudinal direction; and
at least one mass of loose fibre matrix removably inserted into the vessel, the at least one mass of loose fibre matrix extending substantially across a width dimension of the vessel, the width dimension being generally perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension, the mass of loose fibre matrix supporting growth of a biofilm-coated matrix that permits flow of wastewater through the mass of loose fibre matrix,
wherein the vessel and the mass of loose fibre matrix are sized and arranged such that the wastewater is exposed to the biofilm-coated matrix for a time sufficient to remove a desired metal from the wastewater.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the vessel includes a man-made container or a constructed trench.

### Claim 3

An method for treating wastewater, comprising:
removably inserting at least one mass of loose fibre matrix into a vessel, the at least one mass of loose fibre matrix extending substantially across a width dimension of the vessel, the mass of loose fibre matrix supporting growth of a biofilm-coated matrix that permits the flow of wastewater through the panel;
directing wastewater into the vessel;
treating the wastewater, while in the vessel, by directing the wastewater in a longitudinal direction through the at least one mass of loose fibre matrix, the longitudinal direction being generally perpendicular to the width dimension; and
directing treated water out of the vessel,
wherein the vessel and mass of loose fibre matrix are sized and arranged such that the wastewater is exposed to the biofilm-coated matrix for a time sufficient to remove a desired metal from the wastewater.