Induced sludge bed anaerobic reactor

An apparatus, comprising:

• an induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor, the reactor comprising:
• a vessel having an anaerobic fluid mixture positioned therein, the anaerobic fluid mixture comprising water and organic solids;
• a septum positioned within the vessel so as to form an upper zone and a bottom zone in the anaerobic fluid mixture, the bottom zone of the anaerobic fluid mixture having a higher concentration of organic solids compared to the upper zone of the anaerobic fluid mixture,
• wherein the septum has an aperture formed therein that provides fluid communication between the bottom zone and the upper zone of the anaerobic fluid mixture;
• an inlet coupled to the vessel, the inlet having a biodegradable biomass therein and the inlet configured to introduce the biodegradable biomass into the bottom zone of the anaerobic fluid mixture;
• a first outlet coupled to the vessel, the first outlet configured to direct treated fluids from the upper zone of the anaerobic fluid mixture to outside the vessel, the first outlet comprising a gas trap;
• and
• a gas port coupled to the vessel, the gas port configured to collect gasses produced in the vessel.

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.

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.

An apparatus, comprising:

• an induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor, the reactor comprising:
• a vessel;
• an inlet coupled to the vessel, the inlet configured to introduce wastewater into the vessel;
• a first outlet coupled to the vessel, the first outlet configured to direct wastewater to the outside of the vessel;
• a gas port coupled to the vessel, the gas port configured to collect 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;
• and
• wherein the first outlet comprises a gas trap and overpressure device.

An apparatus, comprising:

• an induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor, the reactor comprising:
• a vessel;
• an inlet coupled to the vessel, the inlet configured to introduce wastewater into the vessel;
• a first outlet coupled to the vessel, the first outlet configured to direct wastewater to the outside of the vessel;
• a gas port coupled to the vessel, the gas port configured to collect 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;
• and a plate disposed below and contacting the septum.