US2004050764A1PendingUtilityA1

Wastewater treatment with alkanes

46
Priority: Dec 17, 1996Filed: Oct 2, 2003Published: Mar 18, 2004
Est. expiryDec 17, 2016(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Felix Anthony Perriello
C02F 3/348C02F 3/00C02F 3/34C02F 2305/06
46
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Claims

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for treating wastewater with alkanes such as butane. An oxygen-containing gas may also be introduced into the wastewater. Butane, because of its relatively high solubility, rapidly dissolves in the wastewater, thereby significantly increasing the heterogeneous microbial community and heterotrophic microbial population. This enhanced microbial population may rapidly absorb and mineralize materials in the wastestream. After an initial growth phase, the organic matter available in the wastewater effluent may be rapidly decreased, thereby reducing the amount of BOD, TDS, sludge and other pollutants. In addition, the use of butane reduces noxious odors associated with municipal wastewater sludges and other types of wastewater.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for treating wastewater comprising means for introducing at least one alkane into the wastewater.  
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising means for introducing oxygen into the wastewater.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the oxygen is introduced in the form of air.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one alkane comprises butane.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the butane stimulates the growth of butane-utilizing bacteria.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the butane-utilizing bacteria comprise aerobic bacteria.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the butane-utilizing bacteria comprise anaerobic bacteria.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the wastewater comprises sludge.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the wastewater comprises municipal wastewater.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the wastewater comprises industrial wastewater.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the wastewater comprises agricultural wastewater.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the wastewater comprises chemical effluent.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus for treating wastewater comprising: 
 a wastewater containment vessel; and    at least one alkane injector in flow communication with the wastewater containment vessel.    
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising at least one oxygen-containing gas injector in flow communication with the wastewater containment vessel.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the oxygen-containing gas injector injects air into the wastewater containment vessel.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the alkane injector injects butane into the wastewater containment vessel.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the wastewater comprises sludge.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the wastewater comprises municipal wastewater.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the wastewater comprises industrial wastewater.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the wastewater comprises agricultural wastewater.  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the wastewater comprises chemical effluent.

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