Methods and apparatus for biological treatment of aqueous waste

Abstract

A biofilter system of the present invention utilizes an Alternating-Aerobic-Anoxic (AAA) process in a single reactor to provide efficient and cheap removal of carbonaceous materials, nitrogenous materials, and/or mixtures thereof from aqueous waste. The biofilter system of the present invention is particularly suitable for treating aqueous waste from aquaculture, industrial processes and animal husbandry. The biofilter system includes: a main biofilter chamber containing therein aerobic and anaerobic bacteria without physical separation; an inlet port and an outlet port connected to the main biofilter chamber; and a means for oxygenating the aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in the main biofilter chamber, including means for timing the oxygenation of the aerobic and anaerobic bacteria to provide alternating periods of high-oxygen conditions and anoxic conditions.

1 . A biofilter system for removal of carbonaceous matter, nitrogenous matter, and/or mixtures thereof, from aqueous waste, comprising: 
 (a) a main biofilter chamber having an inlet port and an outlet port and containing therein aerobic and anaerobic bacteria without physical separation; and    (b) a means for oxygenating said aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in said main biofilter chamber, including means for timing the oxygenation of said aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.    
   
   
       2 . The biofilter system of  claim 1 , wherein said main biofilter chamber is fluidly connected to a disinfection unit.  
   
   
       3 . (canceled)  
   
   
       4 . (canceled)  
   
   
       5 . The biofilter system of  claim 1 , wherein said main biofilter chamber is fluidly connected to a means for measuring a nitrogen content, a phosphate content, organic carbon content and/or a pH level of a biofilter content contained therein.  
   
   
       6 . The biofilter system of  claim 1 , wherein said bacteria are carried by a solid support in said main biofilter chamber.  
   
   
       7 . The biofilter system of  claim 6 , wherein said solid support comprises media particles for cell immobilization and retention.  
   
   
       8 . The biofilter system of  claim 7 , wherein said media particles are anionic, hydrophilic, or both anionic and hydrophilic.  
   
   
       9 . (canceled)  
   
   
       10 . (canceled)  
   
   
       11 . The biofilter system of  claim 7 , wherein said media particles are ceramic spheres.  
   
   
       12 . (canceled)  
   
   
       13 . The biofilter system of  claim 6 , wherein said solid support is selected from the group consisting of a biotower, a rotating biological contactor, and reticulated foam.  
   
   
       14 . The biofilter system of  claim 6 , wherein said solid support further comprises coarse stones, slats, plastic media and/or a combination thereof.  
   
   
       15 . (canceled)  
   
   
       16 . (canceled)  
   
   
       17 . The biofilter system of  claim 1 , wherein said bacteria are present in said main biofilter chamber in suspension.  
   
   
       18 . The biofilter system of  claim 1 , wherein said bacteria are capable of growth in aminobenzene, phenol, monoethylamine, diisopropylamine, or mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       19 . (canceled)  
   
   
       20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . A method for removal of carbonaceous matter, nitrogenous matter, and/or mixtures thereof from aqueous waste, wherein said method for removal is carried out by flowing said aqueous waste through said biofilter system of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       22 . A method for removal of carbonaceous matter, nitrogenous matter, phosphate containing matter and/or mixtures thereof, from an aqueous source comprising the steps of: 
 (a) contacting in a biofilter chamber said aqueous source with a mixture of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria;    (b) providing high-oxygen conditions;    (c) providing anoxic conditions;    (d) alternating periodically the conditions of said biofilter chamber between steps (b) and (c); and    (e) monitoring an outflow from said biofilter chamber for predetermined levels of carbonaceous matter, nitrogenous matter or mixtures thereof.    
   
   
       23 . (canceled)  
   
   
       24 . The method for removal of  claim 22 , wherein steps (a) through (e) are repeated a plurality of times.  
   
   
       25 . The method for removal of  claim 22 , wherein said high-oxygen conditions are uniform throughout said chamber.  
   
   
       26 . The method for removal of  claim 22 , wherein said high-oxygen conditions are provided with predetermined periodicity.  
   
   
       27 . The method for removal of  claim 22 , wherein said high-oxygen and anoxic conditions are provided in alternate periods, and wherein each period lasts between 1 and 12 hours.  
   
   
       28 . (canceled)  
   
   
       29 . (canceled)  
   
   
       30 . The method for removal of  claim 22 , wherein an amount of carbonaceous matter, nitrogenous matter, or mixtures thereof in said outflow is reduced by no less than approximately 80% from an original amount of carbonaceous matter, nitrogenous matter, or mixtures thereof in said aqueous waste.  
   
   
       31 . The method for removal of  claim 30 , wherein an amount of carbonaceous matter, nitrogenous matter, or mixtures thereof in said outflow is reduced by no less than approximately 90% from an original amount of carbonaceous matter, nitrogenous matter, or mixtures thereof in said aqueous waste.  
   
   
       32 - 34 . (canceled)  
   
   
       35 . The method for removal of  claim 22 , wherein said aqueous waste is generated by one or more of aquaculture, agricultural runoffs, food production, or an industrial process.  
   
   
       36 - 58 . (canceled)  
   
   
       59 . A method of treating animal waste, wherein a liquid portion of said animal waste is treated by said method for removal of  claim 22 .  
   
   
       60 - 65 . (canceled)