# US 2024/0199458 A1 · Carrier with adjustable biofilm thickness

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- Number: US 2024/0199458 A1
- Document ID: US20240199458A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 18/581,649
- Filed: 2024-02-20
- Published: 2024-06-20
- Earliest claimed: 2021-09-10
- Assignees: Bkt Co., Ltd.
- Applicants: Bkt Co., Ltd.
- Inventors: Min Ki JUNG; Tae Seok OH; Yun Su LIM; Dae Hwan RHU; Ghimire UMESH
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20240199458A1

## CPC

- C02F 3/006: {Regulation methods for biological treatment}
- C02F 3/307: {characterised by direct conversion of nitrite to molecular nitrogen, e.g. by using the Anammox process}
- C02F 3/109: {Characterized by the shape (C02F3/104 takes precedence)}
- C02F 3/2806: {Anaerobic processes using solid supports for microorganisms}
- C02F 2209/36: Biological material, e.g. enzymes or ATP
- Y02W 10/10: Biological treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
- 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

Disclosed is a carrier, of which biofilms are appropriately adjustable in thickness. In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a complex carrier included in one component of a sewage treatment apparatus to allow microorganisms to be attached and grown therein. The complex carrier includes a first carrier having a plural spaces for microorganisms to be attached therein to allow microorganisms to be attached and grown therein; and a second carrier having a structure capable of penetrating or passing through the spaces of the first carrier to adjust the thickness of biofilms formed in the spaces of the first carrier.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A carrier comprising:
a central space formed in a center to provide a space for microorganisms to be attached therein;
first spaces located adjacent to the central space in directions away from the center to provide spaces for microorganisms to be attached therein;
second spaces located adjacent to the first spaces in directions away from the center to provide spaces for microorganisms to be attached therein; and
third spaces located at an outermost part to provide spaces for microorganisms to be attached therein,
wherein areas of the first spaces, the second spaces, the third spaces, and the central space increase in the order of the first spaces, the second spaces, the third spaces, and the central space.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The carrier of claim 1, wherein an area of the central space is not blocked by microorganisms, regardless of time, even though the microorganisms are attached and grown in the central space.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The carrier of claim 2, wherein the central space allows wastewater to pass through an inside thereof, so that the carrier can rotate by itself.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The carrier of claim 1, wherein a magnitude of shear forces applied to each space increases in the order of the first spaces, the second spaces, and the third spaces.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The carrier of claim 1, further comprising protrusions that gently protrude to an outside at predetermined intervals on an outer surface.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The carrier of claim 5, wherein the protrusions increase an impact applied to each carrier when carriers collide with each other.

### Claim 7

A complex carrier included in one component of a sewage treatment apparatus to allow microorganisms to be attached and grown therein, the complex carrier comprising:
a first carrier having a plural space for microorganisms to be attached therein to allow microorganisms to be attached and grown therein; and
a second carrier having a structure capable of penetrating or passing through the spaces of the first carrier to control a thickness of biofilms formed in the spaces of the first carrier.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The complex carrier of claim 7, wherein the second carrier comprises plural protrusions protruding in respective directions from a center thereof.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The complex carrier of claim 7, wherein the second carrier comprises a plural protrusion protruding in respective directions from the center thereof, each protrusion comprising a valley and at least two tips.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The complex carrier of claim 9, wherein the valley has a form in which a portion of the protrusion is dented by a predetermined depth at an end of each protrusion far from the center of the second carrier.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The complex carrier of claim 10, wherein the valley is formed in a “V” shape or a “U” shape.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The complex carrier of claim 9, wherein the tips have a diameter smaller than the diameter of the spaces of the first carrier.

### Claim 13 (depends on 7)

The complex carrier of claim 7, wherein the second carrier comprises:
a body; and
a plural tip protruding from the body at regular intervals between each other or randomly.