Method for recovering a disposal trench with a biomat slime, and method for operating a waste treatment vessel

Abstract

A soil-based disposal trench that has failed from a biomat slime is recovered by adding a facultative anaerobic bacteria to an effluent that flows into the disposal trench. The facultative anaerobic bacteria consumes the biomat slime and, in one embodiment, supplants a strictly aerobic bacteria in the soil that converts nitrites to nitrates. As a result, the facultative anaerobic bacteria interrupt the conventional process of nitrification, changing the nitrites to nitrogen gas.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 799,926 filed Mar. 11, 2004 which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 000,764 filed Oct. 24, 2001 which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 309,946 filed Aug. 6, 2001 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 243,852 filed Oct. 30, 2000.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to waste treatment devices and, in particular, to a method of recovering a disposal trench with a biomat slime, and a method of operating a waste treatment vessel. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] In a conventional non-municipal waste system, waste material flows into a septic tank. The septic tank is a separator that separates the waste material into three distinct regions. The regions include a lower layer that is formed from solids settling out of the waste material, and an uppe...

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Benefits of technology

[0021] The method also includes the steps of adding facultative anaerobic bacteria to the treatment vessel. The facultative anaerobic bacteria added to the efflu...

Problems solved by technology

The anaerobic bacteria, however, are inefficient role in consuming or breaking down the waste material.

One problem with a conventional septic tank is that, over time, the anaerobic bacteria in the effluent stream seal the bottom of, and then fill up, the disposal trench.

When this happens, the septic system fails.

Another problem with a conventional septic tank is that the bacteria in the soil convert the ammonia in the effluent into nitrates.

Nitrates are stable compounds and can leach into the aquifer and contaminate drinking water wells as well as pollute fresh and marine aquatic environments.

Ammonia is toxic to fish and other aquatic organisms.

Nitrates discharged in wastewater, however, have a significant environmental impact.

Nitrates are an important plant nutrient that, especially in near-shore marine environments, stimulates blooms of a wide range of noxious algae and dinoflagellates such as Alexandrium and Pfisteria, both of which are highly toxic.

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