33 results about "Biosolids" patented technology

The invention discloses a method for detecting perfluoroalkyl (polyfluoroalkyl) compounds in sludge, which comprises the following steps: screening concentrated sludge of a sewage plant, removing foreign matters, pretreating, putting into a centrifugal tube, and adding an extraction internal standard; the method comprises the following steps: extracting PFAS in sludge by using an alkaline organic solvent to obtain a PFAS extracting solution; filtering and acidifying the PFAS extracting solution to obtain an acidified extracting solution; purifying and eluting the acidified extracting solution through a solid-phase extraction column to obtain an eluent; drying the eluent, re-dissolving to 1mL by using methanol, filtering, and collecting the supernate into a sample injection bottle; and adding a sample introduction internal standard into the sample introduction bottle, mixing, and determining the PFAS in the sludge by using a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometer. By optimizing a pretreatment method for determining the PFAS in the sludge and a mode for reducing the matrix effect, a method capable of accurately quantifying the PFAS (51 different types) in complex environmental samples such as the sludge and biological solids is developed, and the analysis range and accuracy of the PFAS in the sludge are improved.

A method of processing a material comprising: receiving an input material to be processed within a reaction chamber, the input material comprising a biosolids material; energizing one or more sets of electrodes, each set of electrodes including an anode electrode and a cathode electrode, each anode electrode and cathode electrode having an electrode tip exposed to the reaction chamber; and creating an electrical arc between the anode electrode tip and the cathode electrode tip within the reaction chamber to subject at least some of the input material to electrical arcing, thereby reacting at least a portion of the biosolids material and forming a processed material comprising hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO).

A method and apparatus for treating wastewater using a sequencing batch reactor wherein the biological solids are densified through hydraulic and organic selection pressures. Wastewater is introduced to the reactor near the end of the treatment cycle under anaerobic conditions following the effluent withdrawal step and prior to the start of next treatment cycle. A floating sludge withdrawal apparatus is used in conjunction with a floating surface mixer to selectively remove lighter flocculant solids and retain denser solids by temporarily reducing the mixing energy during the wasting process.

A novel pigment and a method to create the novel pigment are described. A raw material, such as municipal sewage sludge, municipal compost, food waste, agricultural waste, forestry waste, agroforestry waste, biomass, and / or livestock waste, is screened, cleaned, and / or prepared. The raw material is digested by microorganisms to create methane and a biosolid. The biosolid is dried and then carbonized to create a biochar. The biochar is ground into a powder pigment until a predetermined particle size is reached. The powder pigment having the predetermined particle size is applied to a medium to create at least one product, such as an ink, a paint, a stain, a colored material, and / or a dye.

A method and system for enhancing nutrient mobility in soil is disclosed. The method includes providing waste including one or more of waste activated sludge (WAS), biosolids, manure, food waste, or combinations thereof and preparing an alkaline electrolyte solution. The method further includes subjecting the waste to electrolysis in the alkaline electrolyte solution using a pair of electrodes positioned within a serpentine flow electrochemical cell operated at a cell potential of approximately ±2.5 volts with periodic polarity switching, thereby producing an organic mineral fertilizer formulation. The method also includes applying the organic mineral fertilizer formulation to a soil system selected from agricultural soil and potting mix at a rate of approximately 70 pounds nitrogen per acre. The organic mineral fertilizer formulation can comprises ammonium (NH₄⁺), nitrate (NO₃⁻), and phosphorus.

Discussed herein in a process for remediating biosolids containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) compounds in a grate incinerator having a combustion chamber divided into a relatively high temperature zone and a relatively low temperature zone by an insulated panel. Biosolids are loaded onto a grate and moved through the relatively low temperature zone where the temperature is maintained at a temperature sufficient to decompose PFAS compounds but less than a temperature that gives rise to produced ash softening or melting.

The invention relates to a method and a system for electrocatalyzing municipal sludge and biological solids. Such methods (and systems thereof) include selecting a sludge source; preparing a slurry, wherein the slurry comprises the sludge source and an electrolyte; adjusting the pH of the slurry, wherein the adjusting the pH of the slurry is such that the slurry has an adjusted pH in a range between about (8) and (14); flowing the slurry through an electrochemical cell, wherein the electrochemical cell includes an anode, a cathode, and a catalyst; applying a potential between the anode and the cathode, wherein applying the potential includes oscillating a cell voltage between the anode and the cathode at an oscillation frequency; breaking carbon bonds with nitrogen and phosphorus in the slurry due to the application of the potential; inorganic nitrogen and inorganic phosphorus are released; and obtaining an electrolyzed sludge, wherein the electrolyzed sludge comprises an electrolyzed solid comprising nitrogen and phosphorus.

The present invention relates to a system and a process for enhanced hydrogen (H₂) and short- chain fatty acid (SCFA) production using both untreated as well as thermally pretreated food waste (TCP-FW) in continuous mode. The process employs non-sacrificial, conductive, and biocompatible electrodes and optimizes the carbon-to-nitrogen (C / N) ratio of TCP-FW for improved H₂ yields. The invention minimizes CO₂ formation while maximizing H₂ and SCFA production. The process is scalable, demonstrated in a 60-L continuous reactor with an L / D ratio of 10, achieving a production rate of 260 L H₂ / day per kg COD with productivity of 10.84 L / h. This method offers a sustainable approach to low-carbon hydrogen production by utilizing municipal biogenic solid waste, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and generating SCFA as a valuable by-product.

The invention discloses a mixed bacteria-based compound enzyme, a preparation method thereof and a method for rapidly decomposing sludge, and belongs to the technical field of biological solid treatment. Sludge and kitchen waste are used as raw materials, a high-humus soil fungus strain and a sludge fungus strain are used as enzyme production hosts, and the mixed bacterium-based compound enzyme is rapidly prepared and used for sludge decomposition. The activities of amylase, protease and cellulase in the mixed bacterium-based compound enzyme are 492 U / g, 30 U / g and 3 U / g respectively and are far higher than the activity of a single bacterium-based compound enzyme, so that the problems of non-uniform activity distribution, poor matching degree with sludge composition and low decomposition efficiency of the single bacterium-based compound enzyme can be solved, the decomposition and anaerobic digestion efficiencies of the sludge are greatly promoted, and the production cost is reduced. The method has the advantages of simplicity in operation, short fermentation period, low operation cost, small occupied space, high biological conversion efficiency, no secondary pollution and the like.

A system for processing dewatered biosolids and other municipal waste includes a biosolids dryer coupled to a plasma or ionic reactor (a gasifier). The biosolids dryer mixes dewatered biosolids with heated dried biosolids to produce dried granulated biosolids which are provided to the gasifier. The gasifier implements a high or an ultra-high temperature ionic gasification or reformation process to produce renewable syngas that can be used to provide heat, power, renewable fuels, renewable hydrogen, and / or renewable chemical production. The gasifier generates electrical arcs across the interior of a gasifier reaction chamber creating a localized, controlled temperature in excess of 3,000° C. along with ionic gas or particles (plasma). This ultra-high temperature gasification zone and active ionic environment combine to break down molecules very effectively and efficiently into their constituent atoms, in a process called complete molecular dissociation. This ultra-high temperature ionic zone also rapidly decomposes impurities in the feed stock such as microplastics, PFAS (Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances), and other fluorocarbon materials.

A method and system for deselecting biological solids in an influent containing water. The method and system include supplying an influent to an inlet of a reactor comprising at least one of a bioreactor, an internal deselector, a particle deselector, and one or more return lines; dispersing the influent in the bioreactor to form a solid-liquid mixture containing biological solids; retaining, retarding, or providing a differential of, by the internal deselector, biological solids from the solid-liquid mixture to form a deselected solid-liquid mixture and returnable biological solids; feeding said deselected solid-liquid mixture to the particle deselector; deselecting, by the particle deselector, remainder biological solids from the deselected solid-liquid mixture; and supplying, by the one or more return lines, the returnable biological solids to the bioreactor.

A method for reducing particles from biosolids, comprising a storage tank for holding biosolids and an inlet pipe. The inlet pipe delivers biosolids from the storage tank to a screener and then to a percent solids meter. The percent solids meter measures the solid content in the biosolids and sends a signal to an electronic solenoid valve to control water content of the biosolids introduced to the system. A first venturi hydrodynamic cavitation to create vacuum bubbles in the biosolids. A mechanical hydrodynamic cavitation device operably connected to first venturi hydrodynamic cavitation, wherein the mechanical hydrodynamic cavitation device creates vacuum bubbles in the biosolids.

A method of processing a material comprising: receiving an input material to be processed within a reaction chamber, the input material comprising a biosolids material; energizing one or more sets of electrodes, each set of electrodes including an anode electrode and a cathode electrode, each anode electrode and cathode electrode having an electrode tip exposed to the reaction chamber; and creating an electrical arc between the anode electrode tip and the cathode electrode tip within the reaction chamber to subject at least some of the input material to electrical arcing, thereby reacting at least a portion of the biosolids material and forming a processed material comprising hydrogen (th) and carbon monoxide (CO).

A system for converting biosolids to fertilizer comprising: a storage tank for holding biosolids; a plurality of conveyors for conveying the biosolids, from the storage tank to a pressurized screener, then to a centrifuge, then to a feeding chamber, to deliver the biosolids to a nip feeder and then to first and second dryer drums operatively positioned to rotate and draw biosolids into the nip, first and second scrapers are operably positioned to remove biosolids from the first and second dryer drums as they rotate, the first and second dryer drums are selectively heated with steam provided by a boiler.

A particle is provided that includes 5 wt % to 90 wt % of agricultural biomass, combustion residues, biosolids, or a combination thereof. A binder intermixed with the agricultural biomass, combustion residues, biosolids, or a combination thereof retains the mixture in the form of a particle. The resultant particle creates a use for existing waste streams while also improving soil quality. A process of stabilizing agricultural biomass, combustion residues, biosolids, or a combination thereof particles is also provided that includes combining agricultural biomass, combustion residues, biosolids, or a combination thereof with mineral and / or synthetic chemical fragments having a bulk density of greater than about 40 pounds per cubic foot and a sizing of about 100% passing through a 30 mesh screen and about 50% or more passing through a 200 mesh screen. By adding binder, a particle is formed that is deodorized and / or stabilized.

A system for processing dewatered biosolids and other municipal waste includes a biosolids dryer coupled to a plasma or ionic reactor (a gasifier). The biosolids dryer mixes dewatered biosolids with heated dried biosolids to produce dried granulated biosolids which are provided to the gasifier. The gasifier implements a high or an ultra-high temperature ionic gasification or reformation process to produce renewable syngas that can be used to provide heat, power, renewable fuels, renewable hydrogen, and / or renewable chemical production. The gasifier generates electrical arcs across the interior of a gasifier reaction chamber creating a localized, controlled temperature in excess of 3,000 C along with ionic gas or particles (plasma). This ultra-high temperature gasification zone and active ionic environment combine to break down molecules very effectively and efficiently into their constituent atoms, in a process called complete molecular dissociation. This ultra-high temperature ionic zone also rapidly decomposes impurities in the feed stock such as microplastics, PFAS (Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances), and other fluorocarbon materials.

In general, a method for treating biosolids may include measuring one or more of pH, alkalinity, magnesium concentration, ortho-phosphorus concentration, total phosphorus content, ammonia content, total nitrogen content, total solids content, total volatile solids, polymer consumption, and metal salt consumption associated with a treatment process for wastewater solids. A metal salt dosage for amending the wastewater solids may be determined based upon, at least in part, an initial ortho-phosphorus concentration and a reduction capacity of the metal salt. A magnesium compound dosage may be determined for one or more of increasing, decreasing, and maintaining a pH of the wastewater solids. The magnesium compound dosage may be based upon, at least in part, a calculated anticipated change in pH of the wastewater solids resulting from an addition of the metal salts. The method may also include amending the treatment process with the determined metal salt dosage and the determined magnesium compound dosage.

Methods of biosolids processing disclosed herein may be configured in a two-stage process. The methods include the step of distributing biosolids in an input state onto a first thermal floor disposed within a first greenhouse, the first thermal floor adapted to transfer heat to the biosolids from a working fluid communicated through the first thermal floor thereby transforming the biosolids from the input state into a first processed state at a first stage of the two-stage process. The method includes the step of distributing the biosolids in the first processed state onto a second thermal floor disposed within a second greenhouse and then heating the biosolids thereby transforming the biosolids from the first processed state into a second processed state at a second stage of the two-stage process by heating the biosolids. Apparatus that functions to implement the methods are also disclosed.

A method and apparatus for treating wastewater using a sequencing batch reactor wherein the biological solids are densified through hydraulic and organic selection pressures. Wastewater is introduced to the reactor near the end of the treatment cycle under anaerobic conditions following the effluent withdrawal step and prior to the start of next treatment cycle. A floating sludge withdrawal apparatus is used in conjunction with a floating surface mixer to selectively remove lighter flocculant solids and retain denser solids by temporarily reducing the mixing energy during the wasting process.

Methods and systems are described for treating a fluid that includes a particulate fraction and a soluble fraction, such as wastewater fluid including biosolids. The treatment includes biochemically transforming solids in the particulate fraction of the fluid in a biochemical process while simultaneously subjecting the fluid to a vacuum pressure, and evaporating off at least a portion of the soluble fraction of the fluid and thereby thickening a remaining portion of the fluid. A residence time of the particulate fraction can be controlled to be at least 25% greater than a residence time of the soluble fraction, for example. A solids content of the particulate fraction can be controlled to be in a range of from 2% to 99%, for example.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to drying a wet coated seed material stream comprising an incoming wet granular biosolids stream mixed with a controlled size dried seed material recycling stream to produce a moist air and pellet stream, separating an uncontrolled size dried pellet stream from the moist air and pellet stream, diverting a recycle portion of the uncontrolled size dried pellet stream to be recycled, diverting the remainder of the uncontrolled size dried pellet stream to an outlet, resizing oversized pellets from the recycle portion of the uncontrolled size dried pellet stream to produce the controlled size dried seed material recycling stream, and mixing the controlled size dried seed material recycling stream with the incoming wet granular biosolids stream to produce the wet coated seed material stream. Oversized pellets may be selected using a screen. The oversized pellets may be resized using a crusher inline with the recycle stream.

Methods and systems are described for treating a fluid that includes a particulate fraction and a soluble fraction, such as wastewater fluid including biosolids. The treatment includes biochemically transforming solids in the particulate fraction of the fluid in a biochemical process while simultaneously subjecting the fluid to a vacuum pressure, and evaporating off at least a portion of the soluble fraction of the fluid and thereby thickening a remaining portion of the fluid. A residence time of the particulate fraction can be controlled to be at least 25% greater than a residence time of the soluble fraction, for example. A solids content of the particulate fraction can be controlled to be in a range of from 2% to 99%, for example.

This invention discloses and claims a system comprising greenhouses or dehydrators for receiving biosolids; a pasteurization building to receive the biosolids from the greenhouse, at least one pasteurization system comprising heat up belts, a burner fan to heat the biosolids, a pasteurization belt to convey the biosolids through a pasteurization chamber; holding tanks to receive the biosolids and enhancement storage to hold enhancements, a scale and a blender to blend the biosolids with the one or more enhancements, a pellet mill to receive a blended fertilizer, the pellet mill comprising a die to form the blended fertilizer into a pellet and a knife to cut the pellet to a desired length, wherein the pellet mill further comprises a temperature-controlled die operable to control the temperature of the blended fertilizer to promote the formation of the pellets.

A novel pigment and a method to create the novel pigment are described. A raw material, such as municipal sewage sludge, municipal compost, food waste, agricultural waste, forestry waste, agroforestry waste, biomass, and / or livestock waste, are screened, cleaned, and / or prepared. The raw material is digested by microorganisms to create methane and a biosolid. The biosolid is dried and then carbonized to create a biochar. The biochar is ground into a powder pigment until a predetermined particle size is reached. The powder pigment having the predetermined particle size is applied to a media to create at least one product, such as an ink, a paint, a stain, a colored material, and / or a dye.

Methods and systems for pre-treatment of sludge and biosolids in preparation for electrochemical valorization is disclosed herein. Such methods can include selecting a sludge source; preparing a slurry, where the slurry comprises the sludge source and an electrolyte; adjusting a pH of the slurry, where the adjusting the pH of the slurry results in the slurry having an adjusted pH in a range between approximately 8 and 13; flowing the slurry through a first electrochemical cell, where the first electrochemical cell enables partial oxidation of the sludge via hydroxyl radicals; and flowing the partially oxidized slurry from the first electrochemical cell to a second electrochemical cell for selective conversion, where the second electrochemical cell includes an anode, a cathode, and a catalyst.

A method for reducing particles from biosolids, comprising a storage tank for holding biosolids and an inlet pipe. The inlet pipe delivers biosolids from the storage tank to a screener and then to a percent solids meter. The percent solids meter measures the solid content in the biosolids and sends a signal to an electronic solenoid valve to control water content of the biosolids introduced to the system. A first venturi hydrodynamic cavitation to create vacuum bubbles in the biosolids. A mechanical hydrodynamic cavitation device operably connected to first venturi hydrodynamic cavitation, wherein the mechanical hydrodynamic cavitation device creates vacuum bubbles in the biosolids.

Methods and systems are described for treating a fluid that includes a particulate fraction and a soluble fraction, such as wastewater fluid including biosolids. The treatment includes biochemically transforming solids in the particulate fraction of the fluid in a biochemical process while simultaneously subjecting the fluid to a vacuum pressure, and evaporating off at least a portion of the soluble fraction of the fluid and thereby thickening a remaining portion of the fluid. A residence time of the particulate fraction can be controlled to be at least 25% greater than a residence time of the soluble fraction, for example. A solids content of the particulate fraction can be controlled to be in a range of from 2% to 99%, for example.

Apparatus and methods to eliminate PFAS from wastewater biosolids through fluidized bed gasification. The gasifier decomposes the PFAS in the biosolids at temperatures of 900-1800° F. Syngas exits the gasifier which is coupled to a thermal oxidizer and combusts at temperatures of 1600-2600° F. This decomposes PFAS in the syngas and creates flue gas. Heat is recovered from the flue gas by cooling the flue gas to temperatures of 400-1200° F. in a heat exchanger coupled with the thermal oxidizer. Various methods inject moisture into the gas stream, controlling temperature through evaporative cooling and / or injecting chemicals that react with gas stream components. Cooled flue gas mixes with hydrated lime capturing decomposed PFAS molecules with spent lime filtered from the cooled flue gas using a filter system that may incorporate catalyst impregnated filter elements, eliminating PFAS from wastewater biosolids and controlling emissions in the resulting flue gas.

A method and apparatus for treating wastewater using a sequencing batch reactor wherein the biological solids are densified through hydraulic and organic selection pressures. Wastewater is introduced to the reactor near the end of the treatment cycle under anaerobic conditions following the effluent withdrawal step and prior to the start of next treatment cycle. A floating sludge withdrawal apparatus is used in conjunction with a floating surface mixer to selectively remove lighter flocculant solids and retain denser solids by temporarily reducing the mixing energy during the wasting process.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to drying a wet coated seed material stream comprising an incoming wet granular biosolids stream mixed with a controlled size dried seed material recycling stream to produce a moist air and pellet stream, separating an uncontrolled size dried pellet stream from the moist air and pellet stream, diverting a recycle portion of the uncontrolled size dried pellet stream to be recycled, diverting the remainder of the uncontrolled size dried pellet stream to an outlet, resizing oversized pellets from the recycle portion of the uncontrolled size dried pellet stream to produce the controlled size dried seed material recycling stream, and mixing the controlled size dried seed material recycling stream with the incoming wet granular biosolids stream to produce the wet coated seed material stream. Oversized pellets may be selected using a screen. The oversized pellets may be resized using a crusher inline with the recycle stream.