WO2016179327A1 - Systèmes et procédés utilisables en vue de la formation de granulés bioogiquement actifs - Google Patents

Systèmes et procédés utilisables en vue de la formation de granulés bioogiquement actifs Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2016179327A1
WO2016179327A1 PCT/US2016/030852 US2016030852W WO2016179327A1 WO 2016179327 A1 WO2016179327 A1 WO 2016179327A1 US 2016030852 W US2016030852 W US 2016030852W WO 2016179327 A1 WO2016179327 A1 WO 2016179327A1
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Prior art keywords
water
lagoon
circulators
circulator
baffle
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2016/030852
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Griscom Bettle Iii
Ricky Eugene Roberts
James Rhrodrick Key
Original Assignee
Absolute Aeration
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Absolute Aeration filed Critical Absolute Aeration
Priority to CA3023102A priority Critical patent/CA3023102A1/fr
Publication of WO2016179327A1 publication Critical patent/WO2016179327A1/fr

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Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F3/00—Biological treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F3/02—Aerobic processes
    • C02F3/08—Aerobic processes using moving contact bodies
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
    • B01F23/20—Mixing gases with liquids
    • B01F23/23—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids
    • B01F23/233—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids using driven stirrers with completely immersed stirring elements
    • B01F23/2333—Single stirrer-drive aerating units, e.g. with the stirrer-head pivoting around an horizontal axis
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
    • B01F23/20—Mixing gases with liquids
    • B01F23/23—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids
    • B01F23/233—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids using driven stirrers with completely immersed stirring elements
    • B01F23/2334—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids using driven stirrers with completely immersed stirring elements provided with stationary guiding means surrounding at least partially the stirrer
    • B01F23/23341—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids using driven stirrers with completely immersed stirring elements provided with stationary guiding means surrounding at least partially the stirrer with tubes surrounding the stirrer
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F33/00—Other mixers; Mixing plants; Combinations of mixers
    • B01F33/50—Movable or transportable mixing devices or plants
    • B01F33/503—Floating mixing devices
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/72—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by oxidation
    • C02F1/74—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by oxidation with air
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F3/00—Biological treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F3/02—Aerobic processes
    • C02F3/12—Activated sludge processes
    • C02F3/14—Activated sludge processes using surface aeration
    • C02F3/16—Activated sludge processes using surface aeration the aerator having a vertical axis
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02W—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT
    • Y02W10/00—Technologies for wastewater treatment
    • Y02W10/10—Biological treatment of water, waste water, or sewage

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods of waste treatment. In one, embodiment, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for treating wastewater.
  • Wastewater remediation is a broadly studied art with many innovations. Waste is treated aerobically, anaerobically or both. In waste water, especially from industrial waste, there is an accumulation of biomass, called biosolids or sludge. It is costly and difficult to treat biosolids because the contents are virtually unknown and unknowable. Therefore, much of the biosolids are concentrated, digested, composted, land applied or entombed in landfills and the like.
  • Aerobic systems for treating waste products, including sludge, are well known.
  • RAS return activated sludge
  • WAS waste
  • a common reactor design is the Up-flow Anaerobic Sludge Bed (UASB).
  • UASB Up-flow Anaerobic Sludge Bed
  • Wastewater is pumped into a granular sludge bed to fluidize the granules. Fluid flow allows the gas to escape and the granules return to the fluidized bed.
  • the granules self-form or can be introduced from an outside source.
  • biochemistry of biofilms on minerals is well known.
  • a solid mineral is formed (or introduced as a seed crystal).
  • Bacteria colonize onto the surface of these seed crystals.
  • the first colonizers die as they make a sacrificial glue to bind the biofilm to the surface. More colonizers form a synergistic organized collection of bacteria. Bacteria secrete a biopolymer that can bind small mineral crystals to the surface, building up a granule.
  • Kania et al. U.S. Patent No. 8,372,277 (Kania '277), disclosed a floating streambed of a permeable matrix flooded by flow from a circulator, with or without added air and intended to de-stratify the water column. Kania '277 teaches flow through the permeable matrix. However, a periphyton layer grows over the surface, requiring periodic cleaning.
  • Circulators are well known (Roberts et al., U.S. Patent No. 8,298,411 and
  • Impingement aeration to make fine bubbles is also known (Bettle U.S. Patent No 5,772,886). The contents of the art cited in this paragraph are incorporated by reference
  • Granules are common in up-flow anaerobic reactors but are not common in ponds as there are no seeds to start the process.
  • the present disclosure provides a means of generating these granules in a controlled location in a higher concentration and as a result, provides a more effective method for removing the sludge in the waste water.
  • the present disclosure provides a system for the treatment of sludge in a lagoon containing water that promotes the formation of biologically active granules that digest sludge in the lagoon, the lagoon including a bottom thereof, the water of the lagoon having a surface layer, the system comprising: X number of water circulators disposed in the lagoon, wherein X is 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10; at least one of said X number of water circulators being configured to: (a) cavitate water taken from the lagoon; and (b) expel the water after cavitation, wherein the water is expelled such that at least some of the expelled water travels away from the water circulator in a path essentially parallel to the surface layer of the lagoon water; when said at least one water circulator is a number of water circulators less than X, the remainder of said X number of water circulators, other than said at least one water circulator, being configured to expel water taken from the lagoon, wherein the water is expelled (from the remaining water circulator(s)
  • FIG. 1 The reference herein to "circumference of a circle” refers to an imaginary circle.
  • the reference herein to "center point of the circle” refers to an imaginary center point.
  • Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides lagoon granules formed by the above method.
  • Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a system for the treatment of sludge in a lagoon containing water that promotes the formation of biologically active granules that digest sludge in the lagoon, the lagoon including a bottom thereof, the water of the lagoon having a surface layer, the system comprising: Y number of clusters of water circulators disposed in the lagoon, wherein Y is 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20; each of the Y number of clusters of water circulators comprising: X number of water circulators disposed in the lagoon, wherein X is 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 (wherein the value of X for any given cluster may be independent of the value of X for any other cluster); at least one of said X number of water circulators being configured to: (a) cavitate water taken from the lagoon; and (b) expel the water after cavitation, wherein the
  • Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for the treatment of sludge in a lagoon containing water that promotes the formation of biologically active granules that digest sludge in the lagoon, the lagoon including a bottom thereof, the water of the lagoon having a surface layer, the water of the lagoon at the commencement of treating having an initial pH of at least 7.5, after which the pH may range from 6.2 to 10, the method comprising: forming Y number of clusters of water circulators in the lagoon, wherein Y is 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20; ; each of the Y number of clusters of water circulators being formed by: placing X number of water circulators in the lagoon, wherein X is 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 (wherein the value of X for any given cluster may be independent of the value of X for any other cluster); at least one of said X number of water circulators being configured to: (a) cavitate water taken from the lagoon; and (b) ex
  • Another embodiment of the present invention provides lagoon granules formed by the above method.
  • Another embodiment of the present invention provides a system for effecting the clearance of sludge in a lagoon containing water, the lagoon including a bottom thereof, the lagoon being bounded on at least a first side by a first berm and a second side by a second berm, the lagoon having an influent input side, the water of the lagoon having a surface layer, the water of the lagoon having an initial pH of at least 7.5, after which the pH may range from 6.2 to 10, the system comprising: at least one baffle, the at least one baffle being disposed across the lagoon between the first berm and the second berm, the at least one baffle dividing the lagoon into at least a first cell and a second cell, the first cell being on a first side of the at least one baffle, the first cell being adjacent to the influent input side of the lagoon, the second cell being on a second side of the at least one baffle, the second cell being adjacent to the first cell, the at least one baffle extending from the surface layer of the lagoon water toward the bottom of
  • Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for forming a system that effects the clearance of sludge in a lagoon containing water, the lagoon including a bottom thereof, the lagoon being bounded on at least a first side by a first berm and a second side by a second berm, the lagoon having an influent input side, the water of the lagoon having a surface layer, the water of the lagoon having an initial pH of at least 7.5, after which the pH may range from 6.2 to 10, the method comprising: placing in the lagoon at least one baffle, the at least one baffle being disposed across the lagoon between the first berm and the second berm, the at least one baffle dividing the lagoon into at least a first cell and a second cell, the first cell being on a first side of the at least one baffle, the first cell being adjacent to the influent input side of the lagoon, the second cell being on a second side of the at least one baffle, the second cell being adjacent to the first cell, the at least one baffle extending from the surface
  • Another embodiment of the present invention provides a system for effecting the clearance of sludge in a lagoon containing water, the lagoon including a bottom thereof, the water of the lagoon having a surface layer, the water of the lagoon having an initial pH of at least 7.5, after which the pH may range from 6.2 to 10, the system comprising: at least one baffle, the at least one baffle being disposed in the water of the lagoon, the at least one baffle providing substantially 360 degree containment around a portion of the surface layer of the lagoon water; and at least one water circulator, the at least one water circulator being disposed in the water of the lagoon in the portion contained by the at least one baffle, the at least one water circulator being configured to (a) take in water from the lagoon travelling along a substantially vertical path, essentially perpendicular to the surface layer of the lagoon water, leading up to the at least one water circulator from below the at least one water circulator; and (b) expel the water taken in, wherein the water is expelled such that at least some of the expelled water
  • Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for forming a system that effects the clearance of sludge in a lagoon containing water, the lagoon including a bottom thereof, the water of the lagoon having a surface layer, the water of the lagoon having an initial pH of at least 7.5, after which the pH may range from 6.2 to 10, the method comprising: placing in the lagoon at least one baffle, the at least one baffle providing substantially 360 degree containment around a portion of the surface layer of the lagoon water; and placing at least one water circulator in the lagoon, the at least one water circulator being disposed in the water of the lagoon in the portion contained by the at least one baffle, the at least one water circulator being configured to take in water from the lagoon travelling along a substantially vertical path, essentially perpendicular to the surface layer of the lagoon water, leading up to the at least one water circulator from below the at least one water circulator; and (b) expel the water taken in, wherein the water is expelled such that at least some of the expelled water travels away from the at
  • Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for formation of biologically active granules that digest sludge in a lagoon containing water, the lagoon including a bottom thereof, the lagoon being bounded on at least a first side by a first berm and a second side by a second berm, the lagoon having an influent input side, the water of the lagoon having a surface layer, the water of the lagoon having an initial pH of at least 7.5, after which the pH may range from 6.2 to 10, the method comprising: placing in the lagoon at least one baffle, the at least one baffle being disposed across the lagoon between the first berm and the second berm, the at least one baffle dividing the lagoon into at least a first cell and a second cell, the first cell being on a first side of the at least one baffle, the first cell being adjacent to the influent input side of the lagoon, the second cell being on a second side of the at least one baffle, the second cell being adjacent to the first cell, the at least one baffle extending from
  • Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for formation of biologically active granules that digest sludge in a lagoon containing water, the lagoon including a bottom thereof, the water of the lagoon having a surface layer, the water of the lagoon having an initial pH of at least 7.5, after which the pH may range from 6.2 to 10, the method comprising: placing in the lagoon at least one baffle, the at least one baffle providing substantially 360 degree containment around a portion of the surface layer of the lagoon water; and placing at least 3 water circulators in the lagoon, each of the at least 3 water circulators being disposed in the water of the lagoon in the portion contained by the at least one baffle, each of the at least 3 water circulators being configured to take in water from the lagoon travelling along a substantially vertical path, essentially perpendicular to the surface layer of the lagoon water, leading up to each of the at least 3 water circulators from below each of the at least 3 water circulators; and (b) expel the water taken in, wherein the water is expelled such that at least some of
  • the methodology disclosed herein not only reduces or eliminates waste but also reduces or eliminates odor.
  • FIG. 1A illustrates an exploded schematic view of an example water circulator used in the present disclosure (in one specific example, such a water circulator may be a Blue FrogTM circulator);
  • FIG. IB illustrates an assembled view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A
  • FIG. 2A illustrates a graph showing a change in chemical oxygen demand and pH in a waste pool
  • FIG. 2B illustrates a cross-sectional representation of sludge in a waste treatment pond
  • FIGS. 3 A -3C illustrate schematic representations of an aerator apparatus used in the present disclosure
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic representation of an aerator apparatus used in the present disclosure
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic plan view of a number of water circulators according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic plan view of a number of water circulators according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic plan view of a number of water circulators according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic plan view of a number of clusters of water circulators according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIGS. 9A-9D illustrate schematic plan views of various lagoon arrangements according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • FIGS. 10A-10E illustrate an example of a water circulator operating to provide a reciprocating flow of water and cavitation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Schematic side views of the water circulators are provided;
  • FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic plan view of arrangement of two lagoons according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 12A illustrates a schematic plan view of arrangement of certain water circulators shown in Fig. 11;
  • FIG. 12B illustrates a schematic plan view of arrangement of certain water circulators shown in Fig. 11;
  • FIGS. 13A-13D illustrate schematic plan views of various arrangements of water circulators according to embodiments of the present disclosure
  • FIGS. 14A-14B illustrate schematic plan views of various arrangements of water circulators according to embodiments of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 15 illustrates a cross-section of a portion of a lagoon according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 16 illustrates a cross-section of a portion of a lagoon according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIGS. 17A, 17B and 17C illustrate views of a lagoon according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 18 illustrates a cross-section of a portion of a lagoon according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 19 illustrates a cross-section of a portion of a lagoon according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 20 illustrates a cross-section of a portion of a lagoon according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 21 illustrates a schematic plan view of arrangement of certain water circulators (and baffle) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 22 illustrates a schematic plan view of arrangement of certain water circulators (and baffles) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • a lagoon may contain salt water or fresh water.
  • a lagoon may be a tank, a pool, a pond or a lake, including natural lake .
  • such a lagoon may be an equalization tank (EQ) for treating influent (such EQ tanks are designed to equalize high/low flows, etc.).
  • EQ equalization tank
  • a lagoon does not have any natural current or flow to a larger body of water, such as a river, lake or ocean, but rather is a body of water contained in boundaries that may be natural, such as bordered by land or bordered by man-made structures.
  • the lagoon in an embodiment, is at least 3 feet deep and may be as deep as 1000 feet or more.
  • tank, pool, pond or lake or EQ are being used interchangeably.
  • CSTR continuous flow stirred-tank reactor
  • vat- or backmix reactor typically means a common ideal reactor type as used in chemical engineering.
  • a CSTR often refers to a model used to estimate the key unit operation variables when using a continuous agitated-tank reactor to reach a specified output.
  • the mathematical model works for all fluids: liquids, gases, and slurries.
  • the behavior of a CSTR is often approximated or modeled after a Continuous Ideally Stirred-Tank Reactor (CISTR). All calculations performed with CISTRs assume perfect mixing. In a perfectly mixed reactor, the output composition is identical to the composition of the material mixed inside the reactor, which is a function of residence time and rate of reaction. If the residence time is 5-10 times the mixing time, this approximation is typically valid for engineering purposes.
  • the CISTR model is often used to simplify engineering calculations and can be used to describe research reactors. In practice it can only be approached in particular in industrial size reactors.
  • BF/CSTR includes the volume enclosed by a
  • a cluster (or single circulator) such as described herein is not a CSTR, but approximates a CSTR (i.e., the cluster (or single circulator) has outflow but does not have complete recirculation; also the material inside the baffle is not homogeneous).
  • the initial pH of the water in the lagoon is 7.5 or greater
  • the pH is basic or neutral or slightly less than neutral.
  • the lagoon is treated so that the pH of the water therein initially prior to operating the system herein is made more basic, i.e., until the pH of the lagoon is at least 7.5.
  • the initial pH of the lagoon may be as high as 10.
  • the initial pH of the water may range from 7.5 to 10.
  • the pH in different regions of the lagoon may be the same or different.
  • the pH at the top of the lagoon may be different relative to the pH at the bottom of the lagoon.
  • the pH at the top of a lagoon e.g., in a CSTR
  • the pH at the bottom of the lagoon e.g., in a CSTR
  • the pH may be 6.5.
  • the pH could be the top, the bottom, anywhere in between or a combination thereof.
  • an aspect of the present invention relates to the arrangement of the circulators in the lagoon.
  • Various circulators may be used.
  • An example of a circulating apparatus (see, e.g., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0319054, the contents of which are incorporated by reference) comprises an upper float chassis with a wider lower base thereof being equipped with an annular water outflow lip at essentially the surface level of the water; motor-driven means being mounted on the upper float chassis for drawing water into a water intake at a lower open end of the circulating apparatus for effectuating a flow of the water over the water outflow lip; a first set of concentric air hoses disposed at a first position between the water outflow lip and the water intake, the first set of concentric air hoses being in fluid communication with an air inlet disposed at a position on the upper float chassis above the surface level of the water; and a second set of concentric air hoses disposed at a second position between the water first set of concentric
  • a further example of a circulator that can be used includes a circulating apparatus (see again, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0319054) comprising an upper float chassis with a wider lower base thereof being equipped with an annular water outflow lip at essentially the surface level of the water; motor-driven means being mounted on the upper float chassis for drawing water into a water intake at a lower open end of the circulating apparatus for effectuating a flow of the water over the water outflow lip; and an air injector disposed between the surface level of the water and the water intake, the air injector comprising a pair of Venturis configured with respective outflows directed to impinge on each other, the air injector being configured to emit a high volume of air bubbles more than 500 standard cubic feet per hour mixed with water.
  • FIG. 1A provides an exploded view of circulator 20, which is exemplary of the circulator that may be used in the present disclosure, illustrating most of the unit's components and their interaction.
  • FIG. 1A illustrates a Blue Frog Circulator (such a circulator may be referred to herein as a "BF" circulator), described in U.S. Patent
  • Diverter 28 the lower portion of the unit, includes an inverted frusto-conical shell of substantially circular cross section and substantially straight sides. It has a protruding edge around its upper periphery, outflow lip 80, which serves to guide water discharged from circulator 20 into laminar flow along the water surface.
  • the lower, narrowest portion of the diverter has a collar 28C, below which is located a substantially cylindrical standard connection fitting 29, including concentric ridges 29A.
  • Diverter intake 28B is located inside connection fitting 29.
  • Drive shaft 34 extends through diverter intake 28B and mounts at its lower end an impeller hub mount 38A to which is removably attached the impeller and a plurality of blades (not shown here).
  • drive shaft 34 is made of stainless steel or a similar strong, corrosion-resistant alloy, and is 11 ⁇ 2 inches in diameter in a present embodiment.
  • the impeller can be a helical screw. In another example, the impeller may be an air fan.
  • the circulator upper assembly 20A Mounted above the diverter 28 is the circulator upper assembly 20A, with a float chassis 26, first including an upper frusto-conical shell 26E connected to a flat
  • the float chassis 26 has a wider lower base portion formed by the base of the frusto-conical shell 26E and flat circumferential rim 26A. This wider base provides stability of the circulator in the water as well as accommodating the shape of the sectional diverter 26B attached to the lower portion of float chassis 26.
  • the water profile is, in one embodiment, triangular.
  • sectional diverter 26B resembles an inverted frustum of a cone with
  • sectional diverter 26B connects to the bottom of float chassis rim 26 A
  • a plurality of supports 102 are integrally attached to the bottom of rim 26A to separate it from the outflow lip 80 when the float chassis 26 and diverter 28 are joined with mechanical connectors, as described below.
  • the circulator 20 When assembled, the circulator 20 includes a motor cover 24 to protect the electric motor and other components, this cover being removably attached mechanically to the top of float-chassis 26.
  • a lifting rod 82 is attached to the unit to facilitate moving the assembled unit.
  • lubrication for the rotating parts is provided by a PetromaticTM grease cup 40 held by grease cup holder 36 fastened atop the rim 26A of float chassis 26, with a grease line 48 directing grease to bearing 53.
  • An electric motor 52 is mounted on motor mounts 52B and connects to gear reducer 52A to drive the impeller attached to the impeller hub 38A at a suitable speed via drive shaft 34.
  • FIG. IB provides a detailed view of the assembled circulator 20, including motor cover 24, float chassis 26 and diverter 28.
  • Cover 24 is removably mechanically connected to the upper surface 26C of float chassis 26.
  • Supports 102 are, in one example, molded as integral parts of the underside of rim 26A of float chassis 26, but can optionally be fabricated separately and attached by any suitable mechanical means.
  • Float chassis 26 and diverter 28 are mechanically connected by bolts 56 or other suitable mechanical connectors passing through bolt holes from the underside of outflow lip 80 into the undersides of supports 102.
  • Supports 102 are of a height appropriate to optimize the flow of water discharged through the outflow spaces 97 between the underside of rim 26 A of float chassis 26 and outflow lip 80 of diverter 28, and are streamlined.
  • outflow lip 80 is six inches wide (that is, in this example, outflow lip 80 extends six inches beyond rim 26A).
  • the diverter intake 28B within which the impeller operates, takes up water substantially vertically from below into a progressively expanding annular passage defined by the conical interior of diverter 28 and the parabolically curved exterior of the sectional diverter 26B.
  • the intake water then emerges through outflow spaces 97 onto outflow lip 80 to flow in omni-directional laminar flow fashion onto the surface of the water in which the unit floats.
  • the buoyancy of the circulator is designed so that it floats at a level such that water surface is above outflow lip 80, with water covering at least a portion of outflow spaces 97, and the water surface lying at the level of the underside of rim 26 A or lower. This produces a laminar flow of water initially having a height of the height of outflow spaces 97.
  • outflow lip 80 can be varied in different models to optimize the production of laminar flow for various volumes and rates of discharge. For example, a four- inch outflow space and six-inch outflow lip (that is, which extends six inches beyond rim 26A) are effective in producing laminar flow for a discharge of 7 million gallons/day (MG/D) using three horsepower in "mix mode" (e.g., when the impeller runs
  • Connection fitting 29 below diverter collar 28C at the bottom of diverter 28 includes concentric ridges 29 A and diverter inner surface inside (not shown in FIG. 1). Water can be taken up directly through diverter intake 28 B or through an intake tube (not shown). Fitting 29 is designed to mate with a fitting for an externally corrugated/internally smooth intake tube.
  • COD chemical oxygen demand
  • sludge 300 is a mixture of alluvial sludge 302, having total solids of less than 2.5%, and recalcitrant gelled sludge 304 comprising 2.5% or more total solids.
  • the granules are sufficiently dense to pass through the alluvial sludge and sit on top of the recalcitrant gelled sludge to form a bio-granule fluidized bed 306.
  • FIGS. 3A-3C Another water circulator, identified as 1302, is illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3C.
  • Circulator 1302 may be a Yellow FrogTM Circulator (or "YF” circulator), which may be used as a circulator in the disclosure herein.
  • YF Yellow FrogTM Circulator
  • FIGS. 1A and IB The internal components of the circulator 1302 (which is sometimes referred to herein as "YF 1302") are similar to those shown in FIGS. 1A and IB, thus only distinguishing features will be described hereinbelow.
  • Aerators are historically designed to maximize droplet macro surface area (number of drops x area/droplet) in air, or make air bubbles small (greater macro surface area) and deep (more detention time for oxygen transfer). These strategies consume large amounts of energy by throwing water up into the air or pushing gas deep into the water column. Many inventions have been made to increase the oxygen transfer rate (OTR). OTR is a helpful way to measure efficiency in aerobic systems (lbs 0 2 /hp x hr).
  • OTR is an inelegant measure in hybrid systems wherein air is added, but much of the remediation takes place in anaerobic granules. OTR explicitly assumes that 100% of remediation is aerobic. For example if half the BOD were removed aerobically and half anaerobically, the reported OTR of the aerators would double.
  • the drops have a horizontal and vertical vector.
  • the horizontal vector makes the fluid flow away from the splasher.
  • the YF 1302 is an improved aerator that decouples bubble formation and fluid flow.
  • YF 1302 is a circulator with radial surface outflow 1304, a water intake 1306, air intake 1314, and two sets of four concentric rings of aeration hose 1308 connected to the air intake 1314.
  • the concentric rings 1308 are positioned at sufficient position apart below the surface of the water for the emission of microbubbles to rise between the aeration hoses of the upper set of concentric rings. In an embodiment, the concentric rings are positioned at 9 inches and 18" below the surface, respectively. Additionally, the lower (second) set of concentric rings 1308 are staggered with respect to the upper (first) set of concentric rings 1308, such that micro-bubbles emitted by the lower set of concentric rings 1308 rise between the aeration hoses of the upper set of concentric rings 1308. The above positioning of the concentric rings 1308 is intended for illustrative purposes.
  • the upper concentric ring is positioned more than 2 times deeper in the water column than the depth of the water discharge from the radial surface outflow 1304 with respect to the surface of the water. At twice the depth, the air bubbles emitted by the upper set of concentric rings 1308 are below the wave/no wave interface created by the water discharge.
  • each of the two sets of concentric rings 1308 is connected to a respective air intake 1314, such that the flow between the upper set of concentric rings 1308 and the lower set of concentric rings 1308 is equalized. Since there is a minimum 6 inch gap between the upper set of concentric rings 1308 and the lower set of concentric rings 1308, higher air pressure is needed to push air to the lower set of concentric rings 1308. The depth of the vertical inlet 28B sets the maximum spacing.
  • the bubbles are externally produced at an intermediate elevation between the aerator inlet and outlet. If the bubbles are produced below the inlet, the bubbles are sucked into the inlet and coalesce. If the bubbles are produced above the outflow, the bubbles escape and do not flow horizontally.
  • the water exiting from radial surface outflow 1304 is introduced below the water surface 1310. Additionally, the introduction of micro air bubbles into the water column creates a region of low viscosity 1315 in comparison to the surrounding water. Thus a boundary 1316 is created between the typical, high viscosity water 1312 and lower viscosity aerated water 1315. This boundary 1316 acts to dampen the rate of rise of the micro air bubbles. As a consequence the micro air bubbles are directed horizontally for an extended distance before reaching the water surface 1310.
  • the radial, well-mixed, substantially gas-free, outflow is non linear and eddies are formed that continuously re-entrain bubbles of less than 1 mm radius. When small bubbles are re-entrained, detention time is increased sufficiently for oxygen to transfer to the water.
  • YF aerator 1302 In an embodiment of the YF aerator 1302, only one set of concentric rings 1308 is provided. In another embodiment more than two sets of concentric rings 1308 are provided, each disposed at different vertical positions.
  • an embodiment of the YF aerator 1302 is in fluid communication with radial, vertical, semi-permeable, attached growth surfaces 1404 disposed from radially extending spokes 1402.
  • FIG. 3B only shows two spokes 1402 and growth surfaces 1404 attached to the floating spoke and hanging vertically down, with a weighted pipe at the lower edge of the growth surfaces 1404 that keeps the growth surface substantially vertical.
  • the YF 1302 of the present invention has a plurality of spokes 1402, as shown in FIG. 3C, extending radially from the central axis of the YF 1302 and spaced at intervals about the circumference of the YB 1302.
  • the attached growth has a DO greater thanlmg/1 for a spoke length of 10 feet.
  • the spokes 1402 and growth surfaces 1404 are optionally equipped on the YF 1302 when a specific waste treatment project would benefit from the additional vertical growth surfaces as discussed above, for example if carbon and or nitrogen reduction is desired.
  • the YF 1302 discussed in this disclosure encompasses both embodiments with and without the spokes 1402 and growth surfaces 1404.
  • DO refers to dissolved oxygen (mg/1). This is the concentration of 0 2 in the water.
  • the spokes 1402 are not mechanically connected to the YF 1302, but rather float freely and substantially encircle the YF 1302.
  • a large opening is provided at one side of the arrangement of spokes 1402 to allow easy access to and removal of the YF 1302.
  • the spokes 1402 may, in an embodiment, form a completed circle around the YF 1302.
  • Each of the spokes 1402 are connected to adjacent spokes 1402 by connecting members 1406 and 1408.
  • Long connecting members 1406 are disposed on the outside perimeter of the arrangement, while shorter connecting members 1408 are disposed on the inside perimeter. This arrangement of connecting members 1406 and 1408 forces the spokes into a radial configuration.
  • the length of the long connecting members 1406 and short connecting members 1408 are determined by the length of the spokes 1402 and the desired angle formed between adjacent spokes 1402.
  • spoke lengths 15 feet.
  • the anaerobic section grows thick slime, for example, 8 to 12 inches thick, e.g., 10 inches thick, that sinks the tip of the spoke.
  • the spokes are intentionally shortened to insure that the entire growth surface is sufficiently aerated that the shavers and grazers have sufficient oxygen to thrive.
  • spokes may be 10ft long, with a growth surface of 27" deep and 2" thick.
  • the aerobic matrix i.e. the growth surface 1404, is self-cleaning as long as it is aerobic.
  • the natural color of the matrix is black.
  • the in-use color is tan.
  • the matrix total volume is populated with sludge worms, insect larvae and nematodes (round worms).
  • the worms graze on the colonizing bacteria and eat the bacteria.
  • the grazers keep the matrix clean (self-cleaning), if the DO is greater than lmg/1.
  • the YF circulator as illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3C pumps 7MG/D of water through an annular space 4 inches high with a diameter of 7ft (7.33ft ).
  • the exit velocity is less than 2ft/sec.
  • Turbulent flow in clean water is typically established at velocities greater than or equal to approximately 7ft/sec.
  • Substantially non-turbulent flow leaves the YF flowing radially and horizontally away from the centerline of the YF.
  • the impeller turns slowly enough, such as at 144 rpm, to impart a slight counterclockwise curvilinear flow pattern with a distinct cross vector that moves water right-to-left as well as out from the centerline.
  • Circulator 1502 may be a Gold FrogTM Circulator (or "GF circulator”), which may be used as a circulator in the disclosure herein.
  • the circulator 1502 (which is sometimes referred to herein as "GF 1502") is an aerator with one or more air jets 1518 for injecting an external source of air bubbles at a vertical position between the water inlet 1506 and water outlet 1504.
  • the injected air bubbles rise under the well-mixed radially outflowing water ejected from the water outlet 1504.
  • the rising air bubbles elevate the outflowing water above the mean elevation of the surrounding water such that gassy water flows left and right.
  • the internal components of the GF circulator are similar to those shown in FIGS. 1A and IB, thus only distinguishing features are shown in FIG. 4.
  • two impinging Venturis 1512 are disposed within the air jets 1518 in order to generate a high volume of micro air bubbles in a jet of water emitted through the air jet 1518.
  • Water is drawn into the Venturis 1512 through a water inlet 1508 and piping 1510.
  • air intake hoses 1514 are provided above the water surface which feed air to the Venturis 1512 by way of respective air hoses 1516.
  • Each of the impinging Venturis 1512 directs jets of micro air bubbles at one another at a closing velocity of approximately 7ft/sec and a downward angle of 15°. The closing velocity can be as great as lOft/sec.
  • the closing velocity may range from 7ft/sec to lOft/sec. Downward angles may range from 3° to 30°. Flow rates between 2MG/D and 7MG/D will work. Skilled artisans can adjust the downward angle to maximize detention time in the water column without deviating from the present invention.
  • the impingement fractures small bubbles into micron- sized bubbles; the downward angle maximizes the time the bubbles are in the water column.
  • each venturi 1512 has turbulent flow, will hydrolyze triglycerides into fatty acid and glycerin.
  • the fatty acid (soap) in turn lowers the surface tension of the water.
  • Lower surface tension (“wetter water”) is particularly advantageous with land application of wastewater from manure ponds and municipal waste.
  • This aerator eliminates hoses inside the chassis that transfer gassy water present in certain conventional devices.
  • the impingement T (or T pipe) is rotated horizontal to an elevation intermediate between the inlet and the outlet of the circulator.
  • the impingement T exit is angled at -15° from the horizontal such that each pair of Venturis discharges microbubbles down-then-up such that the net flow is horizontal and under the outflowing laminar gas-free water.
  • the combined collision velocity inside the T exit is >7ft/sec.
  • Microbubbles generated by the GF 1502 rise up into the outflowing laminar flow and are entrained and made to move horizontally without any one stream intersecting with the adjacent stream, doubling the efficiency over certain conventional devices.
  • the GF embodiment discharges gas at an intermediate elevation between the pump inlet and outlet where externally-generated bubbles rise vertically into horizontal outflowing laminar flow with a flow vector aligned with the centerline of the circulator and a flow vector at right angles to the centerline flow vector.
  • An embodiment of the GF 1502 removes the transfer line and the flow resistance and redirects the impingement T so that the discharge from the air jet 1518 ranges from 10 to 20 degrees below the horizontal, such as -15° below the horizontal, from 2 to 10 inches, e.g., 4 inches below the water surface. For instance, it was found that the combination of eliminating back pressure and directing free flowing gassy fluid at an angle of 15 degrees below the horizontal and 4 inches below the water surface increased oxygen transfer efficiency by 400%. [0075] Operating at low backpressure is well known. What is unexpected is combining low backpressure venturi operation with horizontal radial outflowing gas-free water after impingement mixing below horizontally outflowing gas-free water to detain bubbles in the water column for a time sufficient to extract 20% of the oxygen.
  • the venturi-equipped GF 1502 pulls 2,0231bs 0 2 /day through the sum of the Venturis.
  • the GF 1502 provides additional advantages.
  • the GF 1502 adds oxygen, lowers surface tension, lowers E. coli, and lowers TSS.
  • very low suspended solids are achievable.
  • the cavitation at the point of impingement shears flagella from slow-settling flagella-bearing bacteria. Thus the cavitation increases the rate of settling.
  • X number of water circulators are disposed in the lagoon, wherein X is 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10; at least one of said X number of water circulators being configured to: (a) cavitate water taken from the lagoon; and (b) expel the water after cavitation, wherein the water is expelled such that at least some of the expelled water travels away from the water circulator in a path essentially parallel to the surface layer of the lagoon water; when said at least one water circulator is a number of water circulators less than X, the remainder of said X number of water circulators, other than said at least one water circulator, being configured to expel water taken from the lagoon, wherein the water is expelled (from the remaining water
  • each water circulator is located essentially on a circumference of a circle defined by a predetermined radial distance from a center point of the circle;
  • each water circulator is located essentially equidistant, along the circumference of the circle, from each adjacent one of the other water circulators;
  • at least some of the water expelled from each of a given pair of adjacent water circulators forms a respective hydraulic wall;
  • each of the hydraulic walls intersects essentially at the center point;
  • each of a given pair of adjacent hydraulic walls forms a respective hydraulic corner where the given pair of hydraulic walls intersect essentially at the center point;
  • the hydraulic walls direct water expelled from each of
  • the circulators create an upper aerated zone
  • the flow pattern is "perimeter flow”, that is radially out from the centerline of the circulator to the said hydraulic wall (or baffle) and then down over a porous bed of lagoon granules and then back to the circulator inlet.
  • the distance from the circulator to the baffle and/or hydraulic wall is so designed to allow sufficient detention that the entire DO is consumed aerobically.
  • the linear distance between two adjacent circulators is 30ft, corresponding to a radius to the center of the imaginary circle of 26ft.
  • water circulator configuration parameters may be determined by measuring the ORP of the quiescent zone and then expanding the radius until the ORP is more negative than -250mV. Skilled artisans will recognize that the ideal radius can change if the water has more or less BOD (oxygen consumers). For example, at the lagoon inlet, the radius of the circle is reduced because the high concentration of BOD will consume all DO before the hydraulic wall. This is typically done at a test site and then reapplied in other applications.
  • the X circulators are arranged in a lagoon essentially along the circumference of a circle. The circulators are essentially equidistant from the center of the circle.
  • the radius of the circle ranges from 15 feet to 60 feet, and in another embodiment from 20 feet to 40 feet and in a still further embodiment, from 25 feet to 35 feet.
  • the circulators are all arranged so that all adjacent circulators are substantially equidistant from one another.
  • the distance between two neighboring circulators range from 10 feet to 50 feet, and in another embodiment from 20 feet to 40 feet, and in still further embodiment, from 25 feet to 35 feet, and in still another embodiment, from 28 feet to 32 feet, and in still another embodiment, 30 feet.
  • 3 circulators there is a minimum of 3 circulators arranged in this circle.
  • 3 circulators are used, while in another embodiment, 4 circulators are used, while in still another embodiment, 5 circulators are utilized.
  • Any number of circulators may be used, and arranged essentially around the circumference of a circle.
  • the circulators in an embodiment are arranged symmetrically.
  • a line that connects opposing circulators passes through the center of this circle and is substantially equal in length to the diameter of this circle.
  • all of the circulators cavitate water from the lagoon and expel the water after cavitiation.
  • at least 1 less than X circulators cavitate water from the lagoon and expel the water after cavitation.
  • at least 50% of the circulators cavitate water and expel the water after cavitation.
  • Fig. 5 shows a schematic plan view of a number of water circulators 1501, 1503, 1505, 1507 disposed in a lagoon
  • this system is for formation of biologically active granules that digest sludge in a lagoon containing water, the lagoon including a bottom thereof, the water of the lagoon having a surface layer, the water of the lagoon having an initial pH of at least 7.5, after which the pH may range from 6.2 to 10.
  • X number of water circulators are disposed in the lagoon, wherein X is an integer greater than 2 and less than 11 (in the example of this Fig. 5, X equals 4).
  • At least one of said X number of water circulators is configured to: cavitate water taken from the lagoon; and expel the water after cavitation, wherein the water is expelled such that at least some of the expelled water travels away from the water circulator in a path essentially parallel to the surface layer of the lagoon water (in this example, water circulators 1501 and 1505 comprise the at least one water circulator).
  • the cavitation may be carried out via a reciprocating flow of water, as described in more detail below.
  • said at least one water circulator is a number of water circulators less than X
  • a remainder of said X number of water circulators other than said at least one water circulator is configured to expel water taken from the lagoon, wherein the water is expelled such that at least some of the expelled water travels away from the water circulator in a path essentially parallel to the surface layer of the lagoon water (in this example, water circulators 1503 and 1507 comprise the remainder of water circulators).
  • the remainder of the water circulators may operate in a non-reciprocating flow manner.
  • each water circulator is located essentially on a circumference of a circle (see call out number 1520) defined by a predetermined radial distance from a center point (see "C") of the circle and each water circulator is located essentially equidistant, along the circumference of the circle, from each adjacent one of the other water circulators.
  • each of a given pair of adjacent water circulators forms a respective hydraulic wall (see the dashed lines at 1509; 1511; 1513; 1515), each of the hydraulic walls (see 1509; 1511; 1513; 1515) intersect essentially at the center point (see "C"), and each of a given pair of adjacent hydraulic walls (see 1509- 1511; 1511-1513; 1513-1515; and 1515-1509) forms a respective hydraulic corner (see 1517; 1519; 1521; and 1523) where the given pair of hydraulic walls intersect essentially at the center point (see "C").
  • the hydraulic walls are formed where horizontal outflow vectors from adjacent water circulators are equal and opposite (see, e.g. Fig. 5 showing hydraulic wall 1509 between water circulators 1501/1503, hydraulic wall 1511 between water circulators 1503/1505, hydraulic wall 1513 between water circulators 1505/1507, and hydraulic wall 1515 between water circulators 1507/1501.
  • each hydraulic wall in a 4 pack cluster is the hypotenuse of a right triangle (having the radius from the center of the circle to the centerline of the water circulator as each of the two shorter sides). That is, in an embodiment, the square of the length of each hydraulic wall in a 4 pack cluster is equal to the sum of the squares of the lengths of the other two sides. Further, in an embodiment, a 4 pack cluster will have each water circulator provide 25% of its outflow to a given hydraulic wall.
  • the hydraulic walls direct water expelled from each of the water circulators into the hydraulic corners (see 1517; 1519; 1521; and 1523) and the hydraulic corners force at least some of the water directed therein by the hydraulic walls downward, towards the bottom of the lagoon (for example, in the area in Fig. 15 marked by the dashed circle around the center point "C"), thereby creating the conditions for the formation of the biologically active granules.
  • the cavitation of water by the at least one water circulator results from a reciprocating flow of water in the at least one water circulator (discussed in more detail below).
  • a reciprocating flow of water in the at least one water circulator discussed in more detail below.
  • circulators 1501 and 1505 cavitating the water (via reciprocating flow) and circulators 1503 and 1507 being the remainder of the water circulators and not using reciprocating flow
  • any other desired number of water circulators may be the reciprocating flow or remainder water circulators.
  • the reciprocating flow and remainder water circulators may be located at any desired locations on the circumference of the circle.
  • the reciprocating flow is adjusted so that the change in direction of the flow of water occurs at a time interval ranging from 0.1 sec to 8 seconds, and in another embodiment, from 0.15 seconds to 6 seconds, and in still another embodiment, from 0.17 sec to 5.5 seconds.
  • each water circulator has associated therewith a respective vertical centerline (see VC1, VC2, VC3, VC4); a distance D between the vertical centerlines of each of a given pair of water circulators is in a range from 20 and 50 feet, , and in another embodiment, from 20 feet to 40 feet , and still another embodiment, from 25 feet to 35 feet, and in still another embodiment, from 28 feet to 32 feet, ; and D is essentially equal for all pairs of water circulators.
  • the diameter of circle 1520 is 42 feet
  • each water circulator has a diameter (in plan view at the waterline) of 8 feet
  • an outer edge of each water circulator is located along the circumference of the circle 1520 25 feet from an outer edge of each adjacent water circulator
  • D the straight line distance between vertical centerlines of adjacent water circulators
  • each interior angle may be essentially 360 / X degrees (X being the number of water circulators). In an embodiment, the interior angles range from 120° to 36°.
  • the angle of the hydraulic corners is 360°/X.
  • X is as defined herein.
  • X is 3
  • the angle of the hydraulic corner is 120°
  • X 4
  • the angle of the hydraulic corner is 90°
  • when X is 5 the angle of the hydraulic corner is 72°
  • an angle of the hydraulic corners is 90° (e.g., when there are four water circulators in the configuration).
  • 90° 360° / 4 water circulators.
  • the water is expelled from each water circulator such that at least some of the expelled water travels away from the water circulator in a path along the surface layer of the lagoon water.
  • the path of the expelled water see, for example, the radial arrows shown around water circulators 1505 and 1507 (of course, the water may be radially expelled from all of the water circulators even though only two sets of radial arrows are shown in this Fig. 5).
  • FIG. 5 provides an example where X equals 4, other configurations in which X is (for example) an integer greater than 2 and less than 11 may be provided.
  • Fig. 6 showing a schematic plan view of three water circulators disposed in a lagoon. More particularly, water circulators 1601, 1603 and 1605 are disposed on circle 1620 to produce hydraulic walls and hydraulic corners in a manner similar to Fig. 5.
  • the three-pack shown here may be particularly advantageous when used in a cylindrical sludge holding tank. For example, a 50 foot diameter x 20 foot deep tank can be used to make lagoon granules that are initiated in the central black dashed circle in Fig. 6.
  • Fig. 7 showing a schematic plan view of five water circulators disposed in a lagoon. More particularly, water circulators 1701, 1703, 1705, 1707 and 1709 are disposed on circle 1720 to produce hydraulic walls and hydraulic corners in a manner similar to Fig. 5.
  • the present disclosure includes the lagoon containing 2 or more clusters comprised of X circulators as above, wherein each of the clusters are comprised of X circulators located essentially on the circumference of a circle.
  • the number of circulators in each of the clusters may be the same or different.
  • the circumference of the circles with respect to each of the clusters may be the same or different.
  • the radius of one of these clusters may be the same or different from the radius of another one of these clusters, but the radii of each of the clusters are in the range described hereinabove.
  • the circles do not overlap; instead the distance apart ranges from 20 feet to 50 feet, in one embodiment, while in another embodiment, they range from 25 feet to 40 feet, and in still another embodiment, they range from 28 feet to 32 feet.
  • the lagoon may contain 2 to 20 clusters of these circulators, while in another embodiment, the lagoon may contain from 2 to 6 clusters, while in another embodiment, the lagoon contain from 3 to 4 clusters.
  • each of the Y number of clusters of water circulators may comprise a set of water circulators in a configuration such as shown in one of Figs. 5-7 (or any other desired configuration).
  • cluster 1801 includes water circulators 1801A-1801D
  • cluster 1803 includes water circulators 1803A-1803D
  • cluster 1805 includes water circulators 1805A-1805D
  • cluster 1807 includes water circulators 1807A-1807D
  • cluster 1809 includes water circulators 1809A-18093D
  • cluster 1811 includes water circulators 1811A-1811D.
  • Clusters may be provided in any desired number and may be positioned relative to each other in any desired configuration.
  • a water circulator in one cluster may expel water that interacts with water expelled by a water circulator in another cluster such as to form one or more hydraulic walls and/or one or more hydraulic corners.
  • water circulator 1801C may expel water that interacts with water expelled by water circulator 1803 A (of course, any other pairs of water circulators may operate in a similar manner).
  • water circulators and/or clusters as described herein may be provided in multiple lagoons at a given location.
  • water circulators and/or clusters may be located as desired in one or more of multiple lagoons 1901, 1903 and 1905 existing at a particular site.
  • an open top sludge settling tank 1920 has a three-pack cluster to begin digestion.
  • the tank is settled, for example, for 6 hours per week.
  • Supernatant is returned to the head works; sludge is transferred to a sludge holding pond 1922.
  • the sludge holding pond has a four-pack cluster 1924 and strategically placed mixing circulators to circulate the surface and keep the corners clean.
  • FIG. 9C an example lagoon design (utilizing treatment pond 1950 and stabilization ponds 1952 and 1954) is shown.
  • this embodiment of Fig. 9C as with the other embodiments of the present invention, there is permit compliance, odor control and sludge digestion.
  • the treatment pond may have an anaerobic deep end and an anaerobic shallow end.
  • the stabilization pond may be aerobic and shallow.
  • pond 951 and pond 953 each have a "black water" waste influent (see arrows 951 A, 95 IB) and an effluent (see arrows 95 IB and 953B).
  • a 3-pack cluster of water circulators 951C is disposed in the corner of pond 951 and a 3-pack cluster of water circulators 953C is disposed in the corner of pond 953.
  • such a 3-pack cluster configuration may be used to fit into a space where an inlet is triangular.
  • the cluster(s) as defined herein, wherein the circulators are arranged essentially on the circumference of a circle, are located such that the hydraulic corners are disposed above a substantially flat, substantially horizontal bottom surface of a lagoon (that is, not over the sloping sidewalls of the lagoon).
  • Figs. 10A-10E an example of a water circulator operating to provide a reciprocating flow of water and cavitation is provided. More particularly, as seen in Fig. 10A, water circulator 2001 floats such that waterline W is above outflow lip 2080 (this water circulator 2001 is shown in a simplified schematic form; however, certain components correspond to the water circulator shown in Figs. 1 and 1A as follows: outflow lip 2080 corresponds to outflow lip 80, supports 20102 correspond to supports 102, rim 2026 A corresponds to rim 26 A, outflow spaces 2097 correspond to outflow spaces 97, and diverter intake 2028B corresponds to diverter intake 28B).
  • the example process begins at time To.
  • impeller 2003 rotates to pull water from cavity A.
  • the water pulled from cavity A is pushed down and out substantially vertically through diverter intake 2028B (see arrows 1 and 2).
  • the water pushed down and out through diverter intake 2028B is replaced by water flowing in through outflow spaces 2097 (see arrows 3 and 4).
  • the water circulator 2001 moves up sufficiently high to bring outflow lip 2080 above the waterline W (see Fig. IOC).
  • the time period between To and Ti is 0 .15 seconds.
  • the methodology not only reduces or eliminates waste but also reduces or eliminates odor.
  • first lagoon 1100 includes conventional aerators 1101 A, 1101B, 1101C and 1101D.
  • First lagoon 1100 has an influent side 1103, at which influent (depicted by arrow "A") is received.
  • first lagoon 1100 has an effluent side 1105, at which effluent (depicted by arrow "B") is output.
  • second lagoon 1110 has in influent side 1113 at which influent (depicted by arrow B) is received.
  • second lagoon 1110 has an effluent side 1115, at which effluent (depicted by arrow "C") is output.
  • second lagoon 1110 is bounded by first berm 1117 (extending from influent side 1113 to effluent side 1115) and second berm 1119 (extending from influent side 1113 to effluent side 1115).
  • second lagoon 1110 includes first baffle 1120A and second baffle
  • the first baffle 1120A separates a first cell 1130A of the second lagoon 1110 from a second cell 1130B of the second lagoon 1110.
  • the second baffle 1120B separates the second cell 113 OB of the second lagoon 1110 from a third cell 1130C of the second lagoon 1110.
  • each of the first baffle 1120A and second baffle 1120B runs the width of the lagoon from the first berm 1117 to the second berm 1119.
  • each of the first baffle 1120A and second baffle 1120B is a partial depth baffle (that is, each of the first baffle 1120A and second baffle 1120B extends from the surface of the water of the lagoon downward towards the bottom of the lagoon, without reaching the bottom of the lagoon).
  • each baffle may extend downward, for example, 27 inches.
  • each of the first baffle 1120A and second baffle 1120B may comprise a floating component, such as a plastic pipe, which extends from the first berm 1117 to the second berm 1119.
  • the plastic pipe may be 3 inches in diameter.
  • the baffles may be constructed from 22-foot lengths of pipe.
  • the baffle is a reinforced UV resistant fabric with an upper stitched pocket and a lower stitched pocket.
  • the upper pocket is filled with an airtight 3" diameter x 22ft length of polyethylene (PVC) pipe.
  • the lower packet is filled with a 1 " airtight PVC pipe filled with sand.
  • the weighted 1" pipe serves to keep the partial depth baffle essentially vertical in the lagoon.
  • the first cell 1130A of the second lagoon 1110 includes water circulators 1111A, H UB, 1111C, 111 ID, H UE, 111 IF, 1111G, 1111H and 11111.
  • Each of these water circulators 111 lA-111 II may be of a type described herein.
  • each of these water circulators 111 lA-111 II may be of the reciprocating flow type (including cavitation) shown in Figs. 10A-10E.
  • the second cell 1130B of the second lagoon 1110 includes water circulators 1112A, 1112B, 1112C, 1112D and 1112E.
  • Each of these water circulators 1112A-1112E may be of a type described herein.
  • each of these water circulators 1112A-1112E are the reciprocating flow type (including cavitation) shown in Figs. 10A-10E.
  • the distance between adjacent water circulators 111 lA-1111H is 30ft.
  • the distance between adjacent water circulators 1112A-1112E in this figure is 60ft.
  • the difference is due to reduced BOD in second cell 1130B that requires longer detention time to consume the DO added in the water circulators of second cell 1130B.
  • the water circulators 111 lA-111 II may be disposed in a plurality of linear rows, shown here as row "1" and row "2". While this Fig.
  • the dashed rectangle represents the interface between the flat bottom of the lagoon and the sides/berms.
  • the numeral 10 refers to the depth (in feet) in this example and the other numerals (267, 274, 492 and 278) refer to length/width dimensions (in feet) of the lagoons in this example.
  • baffle 1120A and 1120B create artificial cells within pond 1110.
  • Surface water is redirected down to the bottom of the water column by baffle 1120A (and later by baffle 1120B) where there are lagoon granules.
  • the lagoon granules remove BOD anaerobically. This has the effect of creating vertical up/down plug flow. BOD is reduced and sludge is digested in situ.
  • FIG. 12A certain details relating to water circulators 111 lA-111 II of Fig. 11 are shown (also shown in Fig. 12A are portions of second lagoon 1110 including influent side 1113, first berm 1117, second berm 1119 and first baffle 1120A).
  • clusters of three water circulators form equilateral triangle configurations.
  • water circulators 1111 A, H UE and 111 IF comprise vertices that form a first equilateral triangle (see the dotted lines in the figure connecting these water circulators).
  • water circulators 1111 A, H UB and 111 IF comprise vertices that form a second equilateral triangle (see the dotted lines in the figure connecting these water circulators).
  • water circulators 111 IB, 111 IF and 1111G comprise vertices that form a third equilateral triangle (see the dotted lines in the figure connecting these water circulators).
  • equilateral triangles may be formed using a given water circulator more than one time (that is, a given water circulator may be shared by a plurality of clusters, in this case, triangles).
  • the center- to-center distance between the water circulators in Fig. 12A (that is, the length of one of the sides of a given one of the equilateral triangles) is 30 feet.
  • Skilled artisans recognize that equilateral triangles are geometrically equivalent to 3circulators equidistant around an imaginary center.
  • water circulators in clusters may be in
  • equilateral triangles may form any type of triangle, such as acute triangle, obtuse triangle or a right triangle. In other examples, they may form any other desired geometric shape.
  • FIG. 12B certain details relating to water circulators 111 lA-111 II of Fig. 11 are shown (also shown in Fig. 12B are portions of second lagoon 1110 including influent side 1113, first berm 1117, second berm 1119 and first baffle 1120A).
  • the water circulators 1111 A- 111 II form a number of hydraulic walls (shown in this Fig. 12B as dashed lines) and a number of hydraulic corners (shown in this Fig. 12B as dots where the dashed lines intersect). These hydraulic walls and hydraulic corners of the configuration shown in Fig. 12B may operate as described elsewhere herein.
  • FIGs. 13A-13D illustrated are schematic plan views of various arrangements of water circulators according to embodiments of the present disclosure. More particularly, as seen, in Fig. 13A an equilateral triangle three -pack cluster may be formed of water circulators 1351A-1351C. As seen in Fig. 13B a double equilateral triangle four-pack cluster may be formed of water circulators 1353A-1353D. As further shown in Fig. 13C, a five-pack cluster may be formed of water circulators 1355A-1355E. As can be seen in Fig. 13D, an eight-pack cluster may be formed of water circulators 1357A-1357H.
  • Fig. 14A illustrated is a schematic plan view of an arrangement of water circulators according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. More particularly, as seen, in Fig. 14A a five-pack cluster may be formed of water circulators 1451A- 145 IE. Further, baffle 1453 may provide substantially 360 degree containment of the water circulators 1451A- 145 IE. In this regard, baffle 1453 may be a closed shape that provides such substantially 360 degree containment without attaching to or connecting with any berm or side of the lagoon.
  • a single water circulator 1462 may be with baffle 1463, which may provide substantially 360 degree containment of the water circulator 1462.
  • baffle 1463 may be a closed shape that provides such substantially 360 degree containment without attaching to or connecting with any berm or side of the lagoon.
  • an aspect of the present disclosure is the formation of biologically active granules. It is these granules which help digest the sludge. The more of these granules that are formed, the faster the sludge is removed (digested) from the lagoon.
  • Waste is converted into living and dead bacteria by aerobic bacteria, producing C0 2 .
  • This step is very different for different compounds present in the sludge, as specialized bacteria are needed for specialized compounds (i.e. industrial waste).
  • Dead bacteria are hydrolyzed to simple liquids by extracellular enzymes from facultative bacteria and intracellular enzymes from cell lysing in the cavitation zone. This is a ubiquitous step, since all bacteria have similar element ratios. Facultative and anaerobic bacteria serially ferment simple liquids into acetic acid (C 2 ), which lowers the pH in the pond.
  • C 2 acetic acid
  • Obligate anaerobes convert C 2 into Ci (methane and carbon dioxide). Acid is consumed, raising the pH in the pond. If the methanogens are part of a biofilm, H 2 production is also minimized. In the presence of Sulfur Reducing Bacteria (SRB), H 2 is converted to H 2 S. When H 2 is not formed, SRB remain inactive, thus preventing production of H 2 S.
  • SRB Sulfur Reducing Bacteria
  • the lagoon containing the sludge not only contains these bacteria, but also calcium and carbonate ions.
  • Cavitation described hereinabove creates such force that it causes the water molecules to break apart into free radicals, hydrogen free radical(-H) and hydroxyl free radical ( ⁇ ). It is also believed that the cavitation also causes mineral crystals to nucleate when the solution is supersaturated with calcium carbonate.
  • the pH initially is 7.5 or greater, the calcium ions react with carbonate anions and calcium carbonate seed crystals are formed.
  • the pH of the lagoon water may vary to as low as 6.2 or as high as 10. Seeds (granule precursors) are discharged at the base of the water column. The seeds grow and propagate. Eventually the granular fluidized bed is
  • the seed outflow is initially at the surface until the seeds hit a hydraulic wall.
  • the hydraulic wall redirects flow down to the bottom.
  • the path of least resistance is under the downward flowing hydraulic corners and thus at the base of the water column.
  • the seeds are concentrated (e.g. in a 4-pack cluster from 4 different water circulators) and thus
  • bacteria use the local CaC0 3 as a base on which they form a biopolymer that enlarges the granule.
  • bacteria bond to other mineral salts, e.g. calcium phosphate and struvite , to form a biofilm which anchors to the granules.
  • the colonizing bacteria form a synergistic biofilm on the heavy mineral.
  • the mineral salts selected for use as granules encourages biofilm formation.
  • the inner bacteria are obligate anaerobes, e.g. Geobacter and Methanosaeta.
  • the outer bacteria are facultative bacteria that hydrolyze bio- solids into bio-liquids.
  • the inner bacteria convert bio- liquids into gas and consume acid, raising pH.
  • the obligate anaerobes in the interior utilize oxygen to produce Ci (methane) and/or C 2 (ethane) gases.
  • a superficial coating of facultative bacteria consumes trace oxygen and extracellular and intracellular enzymes convert biosolids (sludge) into liquid BOD.
  • the facultative granule's exterior hydrolyzes the castings into liquids while the interior converts liquids sequentially into gas and consumes acid.
  • the free radicals and intense jets of hot water (from cavitation bubble collapse) described hereinabove attack the bacterial cell wall and lyse it, releasing intracellular enzymes. Intracellular enzymes are also released by cavitation.
  • BOD biochemical oxygen demand
  • the alluvial sludge is digested in situ.
  • the granules are dense enough to sink through the alluvial sludge, but they do not penetrate the gel-structured recalcitrant sludge.
  • the alluvial sludge is digested, leaving entering solids and recalcitrant sludge to be digested.
  • the new sludge i.e. incoming solids, aerobic produced biosolids and fresh worm castings
  • the new sludge is alluvial because new biosolids rain down from the quiescent zone above without yet forming a new gel.
  • the granules have capacity to handle this load.
  • Recalcitrant sludge is difficult to digest because the granules are in intimate contact only on the substantially spherical granule's contact surface area with substantially flat recalcitrant sludge's gelled structure. Only the granule's lower surface, in direct contact with recalcitrant sludge, has the opportunity to digest. Thus, recalcitrant sludge is digested slowly.
  • waste treatment has 4 steps: 1. Oxygen addition makes solids and C0 2 gas; 2. Enzymes hydrolyze solids into simple, soluble liquids; 3. Acid formers make serially shorter acids; 4. Acid consumers convert short acids into gas.
  • Step 1 conversion of soluble BOD to solids is usually rate limiting because natural ponds are clean. That is there is little to convert to gas.
  • Step 2 is rate limiting (that is why solids accumulate).
  • Step 1 is rate limiting because the incoming BOD is removed from the lagoon effluent and solids do not accumulate (i.e. solids are digested in situ). By making excess granules, all the acid formed is consumed; the pH is stable (-6.5) and there is no odor (no VFA (volatile fatty acid) and no H 2 S).
  • the absence of outboard hydraulic walls has the unexpected result of controlling trace odors.
  • the "sweet" layer extends down from the surface of the water at least 6 inches.
  • the above mentioned wave activity is from the falling reciprocating flow water circulators.
  • the activity of the falling reciprocating flow water circulators increases the depth of the "sweet" layer.
  • the continuous wave formation outboard of the cluster has the surprising effect of controlling lagoon odor by creating an aerated, solids-free "sweet" layer cap over the entire lagoon.
  • the continuous wave motion also inhibits cyanobacteria growth (blue green algae). Cyanobacteria are disrupted by continuous waves and do not bloom. When cyanobacteria bloom, they consume alkalinity and the pH often rises above permit limits (>9). Thus the absence of outboard hydraulic walls indirectly controls effluent pH by preventing cyanobacteria blooms.
  • each cavitating water circulator lyses bacteria and algae. It may be difficult to calculate the degree of this lysing as it is dependent on the cavitation, the moles of bacteria and the moles of algae.
  • the ratio of the circulator flow (# of circulators * flow per circulator) divided by the influent flow is a useful dimensionless ratio.
  • a dimensionless ratio of the flow rate of the reciprocating water circulator per influent gallons per day ranges from 2 to 15, while in another embodiment, it ranges from 3 to 11, while in another embodiment, it ranges from 4 to 9.
  • An advantage of the present arrangement is that these granules are concentrated in the center of the circle of the circulators, making the granules more concentrated in one area, thereby making the sludge digestion more effective by mechanically breaking through the recalcitrant gel.
  • the rising produced gas destabilizes the gel, making it alluvial. As the destabilization expands from the hydraulic corners, the recalcitrant gel breaks down and is readily digested.
  • the lagoon is at least four feet deep (with an anaerobic bottom and with essentially no limit on the maximum depth). In another specific example, the lagoon is at least seven feet deep (with an anaerobic bottom and with essentially no limit on the maximum depth).
  • lagoon granule productivity is surprisingly increased by forming "hot spots" of high concentration of reagents.
  • hot spots there is more lagoon granule initiation.
  • there is more lagoon granule proliferation When there is more proliferation, there is more hydrolysis.
  • there is more hydrolysis When there is more hydrolysis, more intracellular enzymes are released (from lysed dead bacteria). When more intracellular enzymes are released, more bio solids are turned into simple liquids.
  • a mechanism to make granules in an aerobic environment cavitation is aerobic
  • anaerobic granules are well known and known to digest sludge when the granules are well mixed
  • the conditions are aerobic (making nitrite), but the granules are anaerobic and digest sludge (in this example, ammonia in supernatant from sludge digestion increased from 0.25mg/l to 35mg/l).
  • FIG. 15 a cross-section of a portion of a lagoon including cavitating water circulator 1591 and baffle 1593 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown (this Fig. 15 is provided to aid in discussing an example of water movement and processing).
  • Zone 1 as anobic zone
  • C the flow splits with a portion (see “B") out of the cell as effluent and with a portion (see C) across face of the bed (down and to the left) C essentially equals C minus B.
  • Zone 2 fracultative zone
  • the ORP -431.4mV (highly anaerobic).
  • produced solids comprising the aforementioned granules settle into Zone 2 (see “D”).
  • a low pressure point is produced at the bottom of "H”. Water is brought up by "H” from the low pressure point.
  • an amount of influent (see “A") is essentially equal to the amount of effluent (see “B”).
  • Zone 2 (facultative zone or quiescent zone ) is gently mixed by rising gas and falling liquids (not by water circulator 1591pumping action). Further, Zone 2 is anaerobic (e.g., -431.4mv @ 2ft) but rich in enzymes from cell lysing during cavitation. Further still, produced solids from Zone 1 are hydrolyzed. In addition, serial shortening of simple soluble compounds after hydrolysis (to acetic acid) releases C0 2 (see “F”). During this process the pH rises from 6.5 to 7.4.
  • Fig. 15 Still referring to Fig. 15, it is seen that the configuration discussed above provides for a non-homogeneous lagoon having three distinct stratification layers. In addition, in the configuration shown in Fig. 15, water is allowed to escape only from the bottom of the water column (i.e. below the bottom of the baffle).
  • FIG. 16 a cross-section of a portion of a lagoon including water circulator 1651 and baffle 1653 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown (Fig. 16 is provided to aid in discussing an example of water movement and processing).
  • the flow pattern through the BF/CSTR is "perimeter flow” (see “A") that encircles a strongly anaerobic center (zone 2).
  • area 2 is the ammonia stripping area. In this area, it is believed, without wishing to be bound, is that cavitating bubble formation and collapse raise internal bubble temperature until free ammonia is volatilized (50% loss of NH 3 ). In addition, raw influent mixes with recirculating flow. It is well known that cavitating bubbles form and reform, often producing a high temperature/high energy jet of water.
  • area 3 is the high DO zone.
  • DO is, for example, ⁇ 6.5mg/l.
  • internal enzymes are partially oxidized, increasing the rate of hydrolysis of solids into simple liquids.
  • eddies re-entrain microbubbles as surface outflow thins; outflow depth is, for example, 3/8" thick; water is redirected down by baffle; and a hydraulic wall is formed.
  • area 5 is where granules, initially created by CaC0 3 seeds that formed granules described before and by gas/liquid propagation, pull dirty water into each granule.
  • carbon is converted into gas (CH 4 , C0 2 ); non-volatiles accumulate as hydrolytic brine (e.g.
  • Ca++ 15,900mg/l
  • area 6 is where high salinity diffuses out of bed into influent swirl.
  • the brine concentration stabilizes.
  • the swirl centrifugally separates out produced solids, adding to the porous bed; the swirl scours a valley below the water circulator identified as BF 1651 via mechanical action; the cycle repeats; and the bed depth stabilizes.
  • FIG. 17A shows a cross- section of the lagoon at an upstream end (the cross-section of this Fig. 17A is shown with the most upstream end on the left with a downstream end being on the right).
  • Fig. 17B shows a cross-section of the lagoon downstream of the rightmost portion of Fig. 17A (the cross-section of this Fig. 17B is shown with one lateral berm on the left and another lateral berm on the right).
  • the lagoon, in Figure 17B has an aerobic bottom, such as in a natural lake.
  • Fig. 17C shows a cross-section of the lagoon with an aerobic bottom, such as a natural lake, at a downstream end (the cross-section of this Fig. 17C is shown with the most upstream end on the left with a downstream end being on the right).
  • the lagoon includes water circulator 1791 (which may be a BF circulator operating in cavitation mode) and baffle 1793. Operation of the water circulator 1791 and baffle 1793 causes stratification as shown in Fig. 17A.
  • the lagoon in this case, a natural lake with an aerobic bottom, includes water circulator 1795 (which may be a BF circulator operating in mix mode). Operation of the water circulator 1795 causes circulation as shown in Fig. 17B.
  • the Daphnia as defined herein, may be anything that prays on microalgae, such as zooplankton.
  • the aerobic invertebrates may be detritivores (that is, they consume dead bacteria and dead algae).
  • the algal DO refers to dissolved oxygen produced by algae.
  • the lagoon includes water circulator 1797 (which may be a GF circulator), baffle 1799 and water pump 1798 (which may be, for example, a 10 HP pump). Operation of the water pump 1798, the water circulator 1797 and the baffle 1799 causes water flow as shown in Fig. 17C.
  • the ash may be primarily from worms.
  • the baffle 1799 may serve to protect the effluent physical structure from floating solids.
  • Figs. 17A-17C it is noted that the system may be operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Further, it is noted that the configuration may be repeated for multiple lagoons (e.g., 50% improvement in free ammonia in lagoon one, another 50% improvement in free ammonia in lagoon two, etc.).
  • a lagoon includes water circulator 1891 and a baffle 1893. Operation of the water circulator 1891 causes the stratification as shown on the left of baffle 1893 (this area on the left of baffle 1893 provides a high rate aeration with integral anaerobic digester). Further, operation of the water circulator 1891 provides the low rate aeration with integral aerobic digester as shown on the right of baffle 1893).
  • the granules propagation is effected by the following process:
  • the ammonia gas reacts with the carbon dioxide gas to form ammonium and calcium carbonate, which occurs at the bubble supernatant interface.
  • the ammonia reacts with the water to raise the pH.
  • the free ammonia which causes the pH to become more basic (raises pH), inhibits anaerobic activity more than it inhibits the facultative acid formers.
  • the concentration of free ammonia is reduced, the pH falls concomitantly therewith.
  • the temperature drops and salinity increases. Eventually, an equilibrium forms and the pH is 6.5, thereby creating the conditions for granule propagation and anaerobic biosolids digestion.
  • Fig. 19 an additional description of an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided.
  • the water circulator 1991 intentionally cavitates and pushes water (e.g., 2MG/D) around the perimeter of a "tank-in-a-tank". More particularly, at “ 1", intense cavitation lyses bacteria cells, releasing internal digestive enzymes. Half the ammonia (as free ammonia) is boiled off. The aerobic zone has a DO ⁇ 6.5mg/l. At “2", a baffle 1993 redirects flow straight down to the bottom (“3”) ⁇ Water and concentrated enzymes flow down; air bubbles float up and out. DO at "3" is, for example, 0.18mg/l.
  • a deep, porous, anaerobic (e.g., ORP -448. lmV) floe bed (“lagoon granules”) forms at the bottom, producing gas and brine (non volatile cations & anions) and then sucking in fresh substrate. Flow percolates horizontally through the bed to "4".
  • the water circulator 1991 has a vertical inlet that creates a tornado-like swirl down to "4".
  • the low pressure point is at "4 ".Horizontal bottom flow is sucked into the vortex and swirls up and into the water circulator 1991 as RAS.
  • Perimeter flow is established with an upper aeration zone, a lower anaerobic zone and a quiescent settling zone in the middle. BOD is reduced by, for example, 90%.
  • Fig. 20 an embodiment is shown in which water circulators 2091 and 2093 cooperate to produce hydraulic wall 2095.
  • the hydraulic wall 2095 functions as one of the partial depth baffles described herein, resulting in the aerobic, quiescent settling and anaerobic zones shown in Fig. 20. Also resulting from the hydraulic wall 2095 is the perimeter water flow shown in Fig. 20.
  • Fig. 21 which is a plan view
  • partial depth baffle 2101 extends from a first berm 2103 back to the first berm 2103, containing therein water circulators 2105A, 2105B and 2105C. While this Fig. 21 shows baffle 2101 extending from a right side berm, the baffle 2101 could instead extend from a left side berm or any other desired side of the lagoon 2107. In an example, a section of the berm may act as a portion of the baffle.
  • Fig. 22 which is a plan view
  • partial depth baffle 2202A and partial depth baffle 2202B extend from berm 2203 to berm 2205 in lagoon 2207, containing between the two baffles a linear line of water circulators 2205A-2205E.
  • sections of one or more berms may act as portions of the baffles.
  • a surface aerobic layer with dissolved oxygen >1.0mg/l is in fluid communication with a subsurface anaerobic layer with oxygen reduction potential (ORP) more negative than -250mV.
  • ORP oxygen reduction potential
  • an ORP equal to or greater than Omv is aerobic
  • an ORP between 0 and -250mv is facultative
  • an ORP below -250mv is anaerobic.
  • a system for formation of biologically active granules that reduce BOD in a lagoon containing circulating water.
  • the lagoon includes a bottom thereof.
  • the water of the lagoon has a surface layer with dissolved oxygen >1.0mg/l and a pH >7.0 and an anaerobic bottom layer with an ORP more negative than -250mV and a pH ⁇ 7.0 wherein substantially horizontal surface water flows repeatedly through the surface layer and then through the bottom layer before returning to the inlet of a water circulator.
  • a chicken processing plant passed its waste through an anaerobic digester, neutralized the once-digested waste with CaO and then passed it through an aerobic sequencing batch reactor.
  • the double-digested solid waste was then pumped into a sludge holding pond.
  • the recalcitrant sludge was circulated with a BF/CSTR and 9 outlying BFs. New sludge was digested as received, but ancient sludge inventory was not reduced.
  • the number of cavitating circulators acts like a throttle to modulate enzyme production. Throttling up (4 of 4) made Step 4 of waste treatment (acid
  • DO drops from 6.49mg/l to 0.18mg/l (this flow is about 3/8" thick and the concentrated enzymes produced in " 1 " are not diffused through the quiescent zone, but stay concentrated in perimeter flow "A”);
  • ORP - 441.6mV
  • lagoon granules pull this enzyme-rich, anaerobic substrate into the granules and convert substrate into gas and brine;
  • swirl from BF 1601 creates a tornado-like vortex that creates a low pressure zone at "6”. Flow is pulled laterally into the vortex and is pulled up vertically into the BF 1601 inlet.
  • the difference between 90% BOD reduction and 11.3% BOD reduction is large and unexpected.
  • the BF/CSTR with horizontal inlet creates two aerated zones.
  • the BF/CSTR with vertical inlet creates an aerated zone and an anaerobic zone.
  • the anaerobic zone distinguishes the BF/CSTR (vertical) from the BF/CSTR (horizontal).

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
  • Microbiology (AREA)
  • Treatment Of Water By Oxidation Or Reduction (AREA)

Abstract

Dans un mode de réalisation, une cavitation hydrodynamique lyse les bactéries d'eau à traiter, libérant les enzymes intracellulaires, et crée des germes cristallins de CaCO3qui sont évacués au niveau de la base de la colonne d'eau. Des granulés semblables à un lit de boues expansées (UASB) adhérant au fond se développent dans un fluide dense et visqueux, riche en N, P et Ca++ (« saumure hydrolytique »). La saumure hydrolyse les boues anciennes et les matières solides fraîches pour donner de simples liquides. Les granulés convertissent les liquides hydrolysés en gaz. De nouveaux germes cristallins de CaCO3 se développent à l'interface gaz produit/surnageant et se propagent dans la totalité du bassin. Une fois que le stock de boues est digéré, on observe un excès de granulés qui modulent leur productivité brute en réponse à la charge en substrat, au pH et à la température. Dans un exemple spécifique, le bassin traité n'a pas d'odeur et est exempt de boues gélifiées et d'effluents.
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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2019089890A1 (fr) * 2015-05-04 2019-05-09 Blue Frog Technologies Llc Systèmes et procédés utilisables pour la formation de granulés biologiquement actifs et granulés biologiquement actifs
WO2019160920A1 (fr) * 2018-02-13 2019-08-22 Blue Frog Technologies Llc Systèmes et méthodes pour le traitement d'eau et de solides

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4394268A (en) * 1977-11-04 1983-07-19 Reid John H Conversion of plug flow and complete mix aeration basins to barrier oxidation ditches
SU1762823A1 (ru) * 1991-02-11 1992-09-23 Специальное Опытно-Конструкторское Бюро Рыбоводной Техники Устройство дл аэрации воды в водоемах
WO2014176388A1 (fr) * 2013-04-24 2014-10-30 Absolute Aeration Appareil et procédé pour un traitement amélioré des eaux usées

Patent Citations (3)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4394268A (en) * 1977-11-04 1983-07-19 Reid John H Conversion of plug flow and complete mix aeration basins to barrier oxidation ditches
SU1762823A1 (ru) * 1991-02-11 1992-09-23 Специальное Опытно-Конструкторское Бюро Рыбоводной Техники Устройство дл аэрации воды в водоемах
WO2014176388A1 (fr) * 2013-04-24 2014-10-30 Absolute Aeration Appareil et procédé pour un traitement amélioré des eaux usées

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2019089890A1 (fr) * 2015-05-04 2019-05-09 Blue Frog Technologies Llc Systèmes et procédés utilisables pour la formation de granulés biologiquement actifs et granulés biologiquement actifs
US10889515B2 (en) 2015-05-04 2021-01-12 Blue Frog Technologies Llc Systems and methods for formation of biologically active granules and biologically active granules
WO2019160920A1 (fr) * 2018-02-13 2019-08-22 Blue Frog Technologies Llc Systèmes et méthodes pour le traitement d'eau et de solides

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