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US 4,231,863 AGranted
Method and apparatus for treating water
OwnerEldon M. Sutphininventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Method and apparatus for purifying water or treating waste water by utilizing a gaseous medium, and particularly oxygen or air, to lift the water through a biological reactor in the form of a plurality of substantially vertical conduit members positioned over a manifold member through which the gas is supplied to the conduit. Preferably, when pure oxygen is employed, the system is sealed and utilizes a carbon dioxide absorber. Optionally, particles may be included in the water being treated.
Claims25
Apparatus for treating water containing contaminants comprising:
- an enclosure closed on the bottom portion thereof and adapted to hold water therein;
- a plurality of substantially vertical open ended conduit members adapted to support biota growth thereon and positioned in mutually adjacent, close packed relationship in adjacent rows of several conduit members each with openings defined between the adjacent conduit members;
- gas distribution means having a plurality of gas outlets positioned with at least one gas outlet adjacent the open bottom portion of each conduit member;
- and
- means for maintaining a water level which at least partially immerses the conduit members;
- whereby gas may be expelled through the gas distribution orifices into each conduit member to aerate and lift the water to the top portion of the conduit thereby producing flow upward through the conduit members and downward there between thereby exposing the contaminated water to the inner and outer surfaces of the conduit members.
3 more elements
Biological reactor apparatus for treating water, comprising;
- an enclosure closed on the sidewalls and the bottom portion thereof and adapted to hold water therein;
- a plurality of substantially vertical, open ended conduit members adapted to support biota growth thereon and positioned in mutually adjacent, close packed relationship in adjacent rows of several conduit members each with openings defined between the adjacent conduit members;
- gas distribution means positioned below the bottom portion of the conduit members, the gas distribution means including a plurality of gas orifices arranged with an orifice adjacent and below the open bottom portion of each conduit member;
- and
- clarifier means communicating with the interior of the enclosure and including an outlet therefrom for treated water.
2 more elements
A method for treating water containing contaminants comprising:
- flowing gas into the water through a plurality of gas outlets positioned beneath the surface of the water to aerate the water;
- collecting the aerated water in a plurality of substantially vertical, open ended conduit members adapted to support biota growth thereon and positioned in mutually adjacent, closed packed relationship in adjacent rows of several conduit members each with openings defined between the adjacent conduit members each with openings defined between the adjacent conduit members;
- moving the aerated water upward through the conduit member to contact the contaminated water with the inner surface of the conduit members;
- and
- moving the water exiting the top openings of the conduit members downward through the openings defined between the conduit member to contact the contaminated water with the outer surfaces of the conduit members.
2 more elements
A method for treating contaminated water comprising:
- flowing an oxygen containing gas through a plurality of orifices below the surface of a body of contaminated water to aerate the water;
- collecting aerated water at the bottom of a plurality of open ended, substantially vertical conduit members positioned in mutually adjacent, close packed relationship in adjacent rows of several conduit members each with flow channels defined between the adjacent conduit members and positioned with each conduit over and adjacent to an orifice;
- supplying oxygen and contaminants to colonies of biota covering at least a portion of the inner and outer surfaces of the conduit members by flowing the aerated water upward through the conduits and the water downward between the conduits;
- and
- recycling at least a portion of the water through the conduits and removing at least a portion of the water after at least one cycle through the conduits.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.