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[0001] The present invention relates to a bacteria growth device, hereinafter referred to also as a “bionest”. More particularly, the present invention relates to a bacteria growth device for use with bacteria in a substantially liquid medium, as well as to an assembly including such a device and the method associated thereto. Typically, the device, assembly, and method are used for treating and purifying wastewater effluents which are high in biochemical oxygen demand, such as the wastewater discharges of residential and/or industrial septic/wastewater tanks for example.
[0002] Known in the art are several filtering apparatuses used for treating and purifying wastewater. For instance, the North American Filter Corporation has developed a filter known as the Waterloo Biofilter™, which comprises an open cell foam wherein little blocks are cut into dimensions of about 3 inches by 3 inches. Typically, grey water is poured over the top of the blocks and flows down as air is blown up through the bottom of the open cell foam. By keeping the media wet with re-circulating grey water, the bacteria grow inside the foam. However, such a system is fairly expensive to maintain, as it constantly needs air blowing to generate aerobic bacteria in the foam and because a mechanical pump is required to continuously re-circulate the grey water over the foam.
[0003] Also known in the art are other filtering/purifying apparatuses used for treating and purifying wastewater. These include the following: leaching fields attached to septic tanks, biodisks (rotating disks), multimedia sand filters, fluidized beds (sand suspended in water), Zenon Zeeweed® filters, ECO FLOW® (peat moss) and plastic spheres, balls, stars, honeycombs, and the like.
[0004] A major problem with the devices that use peat moss and other similar substances for filtering/purifying applications is that these substances are biodegradable, and thus get eaten by bacteria with time and turn into mock, which is very undesirable, as is known in the art.
[0005] Known to the Applicant are the following US patents which describe different purifying apparatuses and methods: 4,615,803; 5,206,206; 5,618,414; 5,811,002; 5,913,588; 6,063,276; 6,110,374; and 6,162,020.
[0006] Also known to the Applicant are the following international patent applications which also describe different purifying apparatuses and methods: WO 87/05593; WO 91/16496; WO 01/04060; WO 01/12563; WO 01/56936; and WO 01/66475.
[0007] These different apparatuses and methods are disadvantageous because they tend to be elaborate in design; require a substantial amount of energy input for operating; are fairly expensive and/or difficult to manufacture/assemble/install; require considerable maintenance; etc.
[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved device for promoting the growth of bacteria, which satisfies some of the above-mentioned needs and which is thus an improvement over the devices known in the prior art.
[0009] In accordance with the present invention, the above object is achieved with a bacteria growth device for use with bacteria in a substantially liquid medium, the device comprising at least one strip having a surface area shaped and sized for receiving bacteria present in the substantially liquid medium and for allowing attachment of said bacteria onto the surface area of the at least one strip so as to promote growth of the attached bacteria.
[0010] Preferably, the at least one strip is intertwined and has a nest-like configuration, and the bacteria attached onto the surface area of the at least one strip are used for biologically consuming impurities contained in the substantially liquid medium.
[0011] Preferably also, each strip of the device is made of a non-toxic and non-biodegradable polymeric material.
[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided an assembly for treating a liquid containing impurities, the assembly comprising a reactor having:
[0013] an inlet through which the liquid containing impurities is introduced into the reactor and an outlet through which the liquid removed of certain impurities is discharged from the reactor; and
[0014] at least one bacteria growth device such as the above-mentioned, the device being operatively positioned inside the reactor between the inlet and the outlet thereof so that the bacteria attached onto the surface area of the at least one strip of said device are used to biologically eliminate impurities from the liquid present in the reactor.
[0015] Preferably, the reactor further comprises neighboring first and second chambers, the chambers being in fluid connection with each other between the inlet and the outlet of the reactor, each of said chambers comprising at least one of said bacteria growth device, the first chamber being an aerobic chamber for eliminating impurities from the liquid with aerobic bacteria, and the second chamber being an anaerobic chamber for eliminating other impurities from the liquid with anaerobic bacteria.
[0016] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a method for treating a liquid containing impurities, the method comprising the steps of:
[0017] a) introducing the liquid containing impurities into a reactor;
[0018] b) providing a bacteria growth device such as the above-mentioned in the reactor of step a);
[0019] c) allowing the bacteria attached onto the surface area of the at least one strip of the device to grow and eliminate impurities from the liquid present in the reactor; and
[0020] d) evacuating the liquid removed of certain impurities from the reactor.
[0021] Preferably, step a) comprises the step of discharging a liquid containing impurities from a septic tank and/or settling tank into the reactor.
[0022] Preferably also, step d) further comprises the step of re-circulating the liquid removed of certain impurities back into the septic tank and/or settling tank.
[0023] The objects, advantages and other features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given for the purpose of exemplification only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0024]
[0025]
[0026]
[0027]
[0028]
[0029]
[0030]
[0031] In the following description, the same numerical references refer to similar elements. The embodiments shown in the figures are preferred.
[0032] Furthermore, although the present invention was primarily designed for promoting the growth of attached bacteria destined to clean wastewater discharged from a septic tank, it may be used for promoting the growth of attached bacteria capable of interacting with other various types of liquids employed in other technical fields, as apparent to a person skilled in the art. For this reason, expressions such as “waste”, “water”, “septic” and the like should not be taken as to limit the scope of the present invention and include all other kinds of liquids or technical applications with which the present invention may be used and could be useful.
[0033] Moreover, in the context of the present invention, the expressions “water”, “liquid”, “effluent”, “discharge”, and any other equivalent expression known in the art used to designate a substance displaying liquid-like features, as well as any other equivalent expressions and/or compound words thereof, may be used interchangeably. Furthermore, expressions such as “polluted”, “contaminated” and “soiled” for example, may also be used interchangeably in the context of the present description. The same applies for any other mutually equivalent expressions such as “septic” and “settling”, as well as “reactor”, “assembly” and “clarifier” for example, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art. Moreover, in the context of the present invention, “anaerobic” may also be used to designate and include “anoxic”, as apparent to a person skilled in the art.
[0034] In addition, although the preferred embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprises various components, such as small pumps, air returns, etc., and although the preferred embodiment of the present invention as shown consists of certain geometrical configurations and arrangements, not all of these components, geometries and/or arrangements are essential to the invention and thus should not be taken in their restrictive sense, i.e. should not be taken as to limit the scope of the present invention. It is to be understood, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art, that other suitable components and cooperations thereinbetween, as well as other suitable geometrical configurations and arrangements may be used for the bacteria growth device
[0035] Broadly described, the device
[0036] Preferably, at least one strip
[0037] Preferably, the bacteria attached onto the surface area of each strip
[0038] It is worth mentioning here that the strip(s)
[0039] As aforementioned, the plastic that is used for the strip(s)
[0040] When considering the geometrical and dimensional features of the strip(s)
[0041] Preferably, each strip
[0042] Further to the geometrical and dimensional features of the strip(s)
[0043] For example,
[0044] As aforementioned, the strip(s)
[0045] As shown in
[0046] As shown in
[0047] Preferably also, the porous material is not affected by heat if the plastic is molded, cast, machined, extruded and/or formed by any other suitable manufacturing process in which heat may be generated. Furthermore, as can be easily understood by a person skilled in the art, the porous material should not have holes that are so big that the plastic will impregnate it and the plastic can be etched off easily from the surface with plasma etching.
[0048] The above-described material used for the strip(s)
[0049] As aforementioned, the present invention broadly relates also to an assembly
[0050]
[0051] Indeed, according to a particular aspect of the present invention, there is also provided an assembly
[0052] Preferably, the reactor
[0053] Preferably also, the assembly
[0054] Referring particularly to the assembly
[0055] Referring now particularly to the assembly
[0056] As better shown in
[0057] Preferably also, the outlet
[0058] Preferably also, whether for the assembly
[0059] Preferably also, the polymer strips
[0060] Minimal maintenance is required according to the present invention in that excess residue from bacterial action which falls off the device
[0061] The size of the container and its polymer strip bundle filled chambers
[0062] Treated effluent is preferably decontaminated to a quality level that meets national and local requirements for water being discharged either into the ground or for irrigation use, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art.
[0063] An important advantage of such a clarifying system is that it replaces a leaching field or bed and is sized according to the amount of wastewater produced by the septic tank
[0064] Another important advantage of such a clarifying system comes from the fact that it is now possible to create a very large surface area for bacteria growth in a fairly delimited volume. Indeed, because attached growth bacteria need a surface to attach to and to grow, the greater the surface area one can create for a given volume possible, the greater the efficiency of the treatment, which is very advantageous.
[0065] Furthermore, the overall cost to produce the above-mentioned system is fairly low when compared to other prior art systems.
[0066] As aforementioned, the bacteria growth device
[0067] After being manufactured by an appropriate process, the strip(s)
[0068] According to another example of the present invention, there is also provided a method for treating a liquid containing impurities, the method comprising the steps of a) introducing the liquid containing impurities into a reactor
[0069] Preferably, step a) comprises the step of discharging a liquid containing impurities from a septic tank
[0070] Preferably also, step d) further comprises the step of re-circulating the liquid removed of certain impurities back into the septic tank
[0071] The following examples are illustrative of the wide range of applicability of the present invention and is not intended to limit its scope. Modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Although any method and material similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice for testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are described.
[0072] The following are the results of the analysis of various parameters of water at the inlet TABLE 3 Results of the suspended matter. Date of sampling 28-05-2002 18-06-2002 26-06-2002 09-07-2002 Inlet 24 mg/L 23 mg/L 22 mg/L 8 mg/L Outlet <3 mg/L <3 mg/L 5 mg/L <3 mg/L
[0073]
TABLE 5 Results of the stercoraceous coliforms. Date of sampling 18-06-2002 26-06-2002 09-07-2002 Inlet 88000 UFC/100 mL 40000 UFC/100 mL 1000 UFC/100 mL Outlet 1400 UFC/100 mL 180 UFC/100 mL 150 UFC/100 Ml
[0074]
TABLE 7 Results of the DBO 5 days. Date of sampling 14-05-2002 28-05-2002 18-06-2002 26-06-2002 Inlet 69 mg O 78 mg O 27 mg O 34 mg O Outlet 5 mg O <3 mg O <3 mg O <3 mg O
[0075]
TABLE 9 Results of the turbidity. Date of sampling 28-05-2002 18-06-2002 26-06-2002 09-07-2002 Inlet 24 UTN 10 UTN 18 UTN 13 UTN Outlet 2.2 UTN 0.7 UTN 2.9 UTN 0.8 UTN
[0076]
TABLE 10 Summary of the various parameters analyzed. Performance of the system during winter five months after installation Apparent color 90% Turbidity 98% Suspended matter >99% DBO 5 days 99% Stercoraceous coliforms >99% Total coliforms >99% Total nitrogen kjeldahl 71% Total phosphorus 34%
[0077]
TABLE 11 Comparative overview between the results obtained and the norms required. Result Norm Ammoniacal nitrogen 0.24 mg N/L Total nitrogen kjeldahl 1.12 mg N/L Stercoraceous coliforms 150 50 000 (UFC/100 mL) Total coliforms 50 000 (UFC/100 mL) Apparent color 23.7 UCA DBO 5 days <3 mg O DCO 25 mg O Suspended matter <3 mg/L 15 mg/L Total phosphorus 3.02 mg P/L Turbidity 0.8 UTN 5 UTN *for drinking water DBO 5 carbonaced <3 mg O 15 mg O2/L Nitrites/Nitrates 5.57
[0078] Thus, the above table indicates that the water treated by the present invetion presents a much greater quality than that of most government standards. Furthermore, a very appreciable turbidity may be achieved, in that it is inferior to that of drinking water. Moreover, there is a remarkable absence of coliforms in the water treated with the present invetion: 300 times less than that of the required norm.
[0079] As may now be appreciated, the present invention is a substantial improvement over the prior art in that the water treated by the bacteria growth device
[0080] Other advantages of the present invention, as can be easily understood from the above-discussed, are that the system enables a greater volume of nitrification/denitrification when compared to what is possible the majority of apparatuses and methods known in the art. Indeed, the great area covered by the bacteria growth device
[0081] Furthermore, the present invention is also advantageous in it results in a step forward with respect to the protection of the environment and the battle against the contamination of water resources by enabling to transform wastewater into an evacuated water of superior quality which may cleanse the phreatic surface into which it may be discharged by dilution effect. Indeed, the present secondary treatment system (device
[0082] Other advantages that are possible with the present invention: it maintains the septic tank
[0083] The present invention is also an improvement of the devices of the prior art, in that it also has the following advantages: the exceptional quality of the effluent rejected into the environment; a compact, efficient, and easy-to-install system; the maintenance is minimal, given the fact that it consists of a passive system, which may be entirely activated by gravity; permanent installation: the media is non-biodegradable, and thus requires no replacement; minimal costs of energy (approximately $5 per month for a single-family household with 3 bedrooms); capability to monitor at a distance; reduction of the pollution of the phreatic surface by dilution effect; reduces considerably the surface of the purification field; removes 99% of the E. Coli bacteria before that the effluent reaches the soil; efficient all throughout the season independent of weather conditions; possible use of the effluent for irrigation purposes following an additional ozone or sterilizing UV-ray treatment or the like.
[0084] As may now also be appreciated, the present invention is also advantageous in that it may be is used in various technical fields of nitrification/denitrification, namely in sewage treatment, aquaculture, aquariums and ponds, water processing, wastewater remediation, and the like.
[0085] While several embodiments of the invention have been described herein, it will be understood that the present invention is capable of further modifications, and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention, following in general the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as to come within knowledge or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth and falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.