The present invention relates to a process for treating primary sludge in a wastewater treatment plant, comprising the steps of admixing an organic coagulant and/or polymer to wastewater; allowing a primary treatment of the wastewater in the presence of the organic coagulant or polymer; separating solids as a primary sludge from said primary treatment; and dewatering the primary sludge. The present invention further relates to a method of improving primary sludge dewaterability and improving energy balance of a wastewater treatment plant.

A large-scale fluidized bed biogasifier provided for gasifying biosolids. The biogasifier includes a reactor vessel with a pipe distributor and at least two fuel feed inlets for feeding biosolids into the reactor vessel at a desired fuel feed rate of more than 40 tons per day with an average of about 100 tons per day during steady-state operation of the biogasifier. A fluidized bed in the base of the reactor vessel has a cross-sectional area that is proportional to at least the targeted fuel feed rate such that the superficial velocity of gas is in the range of 0.1 m/s (0.33 ft/s) to 3 m/s (9.84 ft/s). In operation, biosolids are heated inside the fluidized bed reactor to a temperature range between 900 F. (482.2 C.) and 1600 F. (871.1 C.).

A universal feeder system that combines with a fluidized bed gasification reactor for the treatment of multiple diverse feedstocks including sewage sludge, municipal solid waste, wood waste, refuse derived fuels, automotive shredder residue and non-recyclable plastics. The invention thereby also illustrates a method of gasification for multiple and diverse feedstocks using a universal feeder system. The feeder system comprises one or more feed vessels and at least one live bottom dual screw feeder. The feed vessel is rectangular shaped having three vertical sides and an angled side of no less than 60 degrees from the horizontal to facilitate proper flow of feedstock material that have different and/or variable flow properties. The feedstocks are transferred through an open bottom chute to a live bottom dual screw feeder and through another open bottom chute to a transfer screw feeder that conveys feedstock to the fuel feed inlets of a gasifier.

Materials (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) are processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials. For example, systems equipment, and methods are described that can be used to treat feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, using an array of vaults.

This present invention relates to compositions and methods of microbial enhanced oil recovery using Bacillus subtilis strains. The invention also relates to compositions and methods for performing oil degradation with Bacillus subtilis strains. The compositions and methods of the present invention are also used for enhanced commercial biosurfactant and enzyme production.

A method and system comprising use of chlorine dioxide to alter the particle size distribution and facilitate removal of water from wastewater, for example sludge or biosolids. The method uses chlorine dioxide to alter the rheology of the wastewater to improve the efficiency of drying the wastewater, to meet regulatory standards for beneficial use or energy production.

Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials. Systems, methods and equipment are described for upgrading process streams using electrodialysis or electrodialysis reversal.

Methods and systems for reducing an average particle size of blackwater solids is disclosed. A vessel is configured to receive a blackwater stream through a one-way inlet. The one-way inlet is configured to allow the blackwater stream into the vessel and prevent backflow. The blackwater stream contains blackwater solids and water. A device in a bottom portion of the vessel is configured to receive the blackwater and comminute the blackwater solids. A recirculating pump is configured to recirculate the blackwater stream under pressure through the device until the average particle size of the blackwater solids is reduced below a size threshold, resulting in a sized blackwater stream.

A method and a system for isolating potentially harmful medical substances, such as antibiotics, is disclosed. Blackwater ejected from vacuum toilets contains potentially harmful medical substances present in dissolved state in bodily waste. The ejected blackwater is subjected to an initial treatment including a bacteria reduction and a fragmentation for producing an initially treated blackwater slurry. The blackwater slurry is transferred via one or more buffer tanks to a central vaporization unit in which water is vaporized from the blackwater slurry for producing a water-reduced waste material containing said potentially harmful medical substances. The waste material is transferred into one or more replaceable waste containers. The waste material may be subjected to a further water reduction, optionally before the waste containers are removed.

A large-scale fluidized bed biogasifier provided for gasifying biosolids. The biogasifier includes a reactor vessel with a pipe distributor and at least two fuel feed inlets for feeding biosolids into the reactor vessel at a desired fuel feed rate of more than 40 tons per day with an average of about 100 tons per day during steady-state operation of the biogasifier. A fluidized bed in the base of the reactor vessel has a cross-sectional area that is proportional to at least the targeted fuel feed rate such that the superficial velocity of gas is in the range of 0.1 m/s (0.33 ft/s) to 3 m/s (9.84 ft/s). In operation, biosolids are heated inside the fluidized bed reactor to a temperature range between 900 F. (482.2 C.) and 1600 F. (871.1 C.).