A bioreactor for a water treatment system includes an aerator tank configured to receive an influent liquid, and a clarifier positioned in the aerator tank, the clarifier having a generally conical shape and defining a downwardly-facing opening. An interior of the clarifier is in communication with the aerator tank, external to the clarifier, at least via the downwardly-facing opening, and wherein the clarifier is positioned non-concentrically with the aerator tank. The bioreactor further includes a plurality of aeration vents positioned proximal to a bottom of the tank and configured to direct air into the aerator tank, and an effluent outlet positioned in the clarifier. A relatively clean effluent liquid, in comparison to the influent liquid in the aerator tank, exits from the clarifier via the effluent outlet.

This specification describes a membrane aerated biofilm media and reactor (MABR) having a discontinuous layer of a porous material applied to the outer surface of a gas-transfer membrane. The porous material may have a void fraction of 50% or more. The porous material may have a thickness of up to about 500 microns and a pattern on the same order of magnitude as its thickness. The media may be used to carry on a deammonification reaction. In use, ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and annamox bacteria grown in or on the media, with the annamox bacteria located primarily in the porous material. The supply of oxygen through the gas-transfer membrane is limited to suppress the growth of nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB). Excess biofilm is removed, for example by coarse bubble scouring. The media may be placed in an anoxic zone of an activated sludge plant, which may be upstream of an aerobic zone.

A water aeration system powers an air pump held in an encasement with a solar panel mounted directly or indirectly to the encasement or to the mounting pole supporting the encasement above a ground surface. An air conduit directs pumped air to one or more disc diffusers submerged in the body of water to be aerated. The disc diffuser(s) are supported by a floating platform that is suspended from a buoy or float so that the disc diffuser(s) are held at a desired depth below the water surface.

A water aeration system powers an air pump held in an encasement with a solar panel mounted directly or indirectly to the encasement or to the mounting pole supporting the encasement above a ground surface. An air conduit directs pumped air to one or more disc diffusers submerged in the body of water to be aerated. The disc diffuser(s) are supported by a floating platform that is suspended from a buoy or float so that the disc diffuser(s) are held at a desired depth below the water surface.

Systems for use in one or more sludge or waste collection devices (e.g., containers, vessels or basins). One such system is a sludge removal system for removing sludge from one or more sludge collection devices. The sludge removal system includes one or more sludge removal grids disposed in one or more sludge collection devices. Each sludge removal grid preferably includes at least one header and a plurality of sludge collection laterals. Another such system includes a fluid distribution system for distributing one or more fluids in one or more sludge or waste collection devices. A movement restricting or prevention member is provided in both the fluid distribution and sludge removal systems to prevent or restrict movement of the sludge collection laterals and the fluid distribution laterals away from or towards a floor of a corresponding collection device without anchoring or fixing the laterals to the floor.

Systems for use in one or more sludge or waste collection devices (e.g., containers, vessels or basins). One such system is a sludge removal system for removing sludge from one or more sludge collection devices. The sludge removal system includes one or more sludge removal grids disposed in one or more sludge collection devices. Each sludge removal grid preferably includes at least one header and a plurality of sludge collection laterals. Another such system includes a fluid distribution system for distributing one or more fluids in one or more sludge or waste collection devices. A movement restricting or prevention member is provided in both the fluid distribution and sludge removal systems to prevent or restrict movement of the sludge collection laterals and the fluid distribution laterals away from or towards a floor of a corresponding collection device without anchoring or fixing the laterals to the floor.

A bioreactor for a water treatment system includes a tank configured to receive an influent liquid, a separator structure positioned in the tank, the separator structure having a frustoconical shape and defining a downwardly-facing opening proximal to or at a bottom of the separator structure, an interior of the separator structure being in communication with the tank, external to the separator structure, at least via the opening, an aeration vent positioned proximal to a bottom of the tank and configured to direct air into the tank, but not directly into the interior of the separator structure, and an effluent outlet communicating with the interior of in the separator structure, proximal to a top of the separator structure, a relatively clean effluent liquid, in comparison to the influent liquid in the tank, exiting from the separator structure via the effluent outlet.

A bioreactor for a water treatment system includes a tank configured to receive an influent liquid, a separator structure positioned in the tank, the separator structure having a frustoconical shape and defining a downwardly-facing opening proximal to or at a bottom of the separator structure, an interior of the separator structure being in communication with the tank, external to the separator structure, at least via the opening, an aeration vent positioned proximal to a bottom of the tank and configured to direct air into the tank, but not directly into the interior of the separator structure, and an effluent outlet communicating with the interior of in the separator structure, proximal to a top of the separator structure, a relatively clean effluent liquid, in comparison to the influent liquid in the tank, exiting from the separator structure via the effluent outlet.

A water filtering system includes providing light deep into a liquid used in applications such as the cultivation of both attached and suspended photosynthetic organisms. The system is configured to inject a stream of bubbles into the liquid and a light source is configured to shines light through the bubbles. The bubbles allow some light to travel deep into the liquid along the length of the bubble stream and scatter/deflect some light out of the bubble stream and into the surrounding liquid including screens for growing algae.

Aspects of the invention describe a tube diffuser design and associated saddle design that allow the two elements to be easily and quickly attached to each other in the field for the purpose of aerating wastewater. The tube diffuser is cylindrical and includes a gas distribution section spanning across an interior diameter of the tube diffuser. The saddle includes a pair of engagement arms that are able to couple to this gas distribution section of the tube diffuser. Once the tube diffuser is attached to the saddle and the assembly is submerged in wastewater, the saddle may be used to transport air from an air distribution pipe to the tube diffuser. The air may then be made to leave the tube diffuser as a plume of air bubbles.