Thermophilic aerobic waste treatment system
First Claim
1. A thermophilic and aerobic reactor system comprising:
- a) a reactor tank for receiving a sludge material;
b) a gas injection mechanism for injecting oxygen containing gas into a lower portion of said material, such that the gas raises through the material;
c) a blower flow connected to an interior of the tank for withdrawing recycle gas from the tank that has passed through the material;
said blower being flow connected to said gas injection mechanism so as to transfer at least a portion of the recycle gas through the material;
d) a fresh air delivery mechanism operably flow connected to said reactor tank; and
e) a temperature controller for measuring the temperature of the material within the reactor tank and for controlling the temperature in the material within the reactor tank within a preselected thermophilic temperature range including means for varying a mix of fresh air to recycle gas such that increasing the percentage of fresh air decreases the temperature and decreasing the percentage of fresh air in the mix increases the temperature.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for thermophilic aerobic destruction of pathogenic organisms and organic matter within waste water treatment sludge includes a tank for maintaining the sludge and an air transfer apparatus for injecting air into the sludge near the bottom thereof so as to bubble up through the sludge and react exothermically with the thermophilic microorganisms therein so as to kill or destroy the mesophilic micro- organisms within the sludge. The thermophilic reaction is preferably controlled within a desired temperature range by control of the flow of fresh air versus recycled air being injected into the sludge. The fresh air to recycle air ratio can be controlled by several different mechanisms so as to produce the desired temperature range. The air is also utilized to mix the sludge within the tank. A pumping apparatus is also provided for transferring sludge into and out of the tank and for recirculating the sludge for purposes of auxiliary mixing. The pump can also be utilized in conjunction with an eductor for drawing fresh air into the sludge. A process controller is advantageously useable in conjunction with the various equipment to control the overall system.
146 Citations
6 Claims
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1. A thermophilic and aerobic reactor system comprising:
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a) a reactor tank for receiving a sludge material; b) a gas injection mechanism for injecting oxygen containing gas into a lower portion of said material, such that the gas raises through the material; c) a blower flow connected to an interior of the tank for withdrawing recycle gas from the tank that has passed through the material;
said blower being flow connected to said gas injection mechanism so as to transfer at least a portion of the recycle gas through the material;d) a fresh air delivery mechanism operably flow connected to said reactor tank; and e) a temperature controller for measuring the temperature of the material within the reactor tank and for controlling the temperature in the material within the reactor tank within a preselected thermophilic temperature range including means for varying a mix of fresh air to recycle gas such that increasing the percentage of fresh air decreases the temperature and decreasing the percentage of fresh air in the mix increases the temperature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification