A method for removing solids via coagulation and flocculation from aqueous solutions that are generated in the process of producing corn flour called nixtamalization. This method for separating liquids/solids is especially effective in removing solids via coagulation flocculation in the process called nixtamalization in which maize is processed at high temperatures in a highly alkaline solution.

A source of carbonate alkalinity is first introduced into the waste stream (called nejayote) that is generated in the process of the nixtamalization of corn, which causes a drop in pH, and is then followed by an anionic flocculant and last of all followed by a cationic flocculant which creates a solid floc of superior strength, which allows the solids to be separated (dewatered) from the water with a high efficiency.

The addition of a source of carbonate alkalinity (coagulant) followed by an anionic and then a cationic flocculant creates a floc of superior strength versus prior art of using a coagulant and anionic flocculant or an anionic flocculant alone and therefore the solid liquid separation process is more effective on dewatering devices. When flocculants are GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe), the recovered solids can be utilized as an animal food source which has economic benefits from a waste disposal perspective.

A solid waste treatment system includes: a solid-liquid separator module configured to receive mixed solid and liquid waste and separating solid material from the mixed solid and liquid waste; an accumulator and macerator module configured to receive and macerate the solid material from the solid-liquid separator module; a drying module configured to receive and dry the macerated solid material from the accumulator and macerator module; and a combustion module configured to receive and combust the dried macerated solid material from the drying module.

A solid waste treatment system includes: a solid-liquid separator module configured to receive mixed solid and liquid waste and separating solid material from the mixed solid and liquid waste; an accumulator and macerator module configured to receive and macerate the solid material from the solid-liquid separator module; a drying module configured to receive and dry the macerated solid material from the accumulator and macerator module; and a combustion module configured to receive and combust the dried macerated solid material from the drying module.

At least one aspect of the technology provides a self-contained processing facility configured to convert organic, high water-content waste, such as fecal sludge and garbage, into electricity while also generating and collecting potable water.

A waste treatment process utilizes a two-stage digestion process with a thermophilic digester, a heat exchanger, and a mesophilic digester. The pH of the thermophilic digestate is increased by removal of carbon dioxide with an air stripper, or by adding a pH increasing reagent upstream of the heat exchanger. The pH adjustment of the digestate protects the heat exchanger and downstream equipment and processes from struvite formation. A struvite reactor may be located in various locations downstream of the heat exchanger to produce a treated digestate or effluent that contains struvite, which can optionally be recovered for beneficial use.

Organic solid waste is pressed at a high pressure to separate the solid waste into a dry fraction and a wet fraction. The wet fraction is diluted and floatables (i.e. pieces of plastic and/or paper) in the wet fraction are comminuted. The wet fraction is then de-gritted before being sent to an anaerobic digester. Digestate is withdrawn from the digester from a free liquid surface of the digester. The digestate is filtered to extract comminuted floatables. The resulting filtrate is then composted or directly applied to land. A corresponding system comprises a press, a grinder, a hydrocyclone, an anaerobic digester, a filter and a dewaterer.

The present disclosure generally relates to a device for dewatering a material. The device comprises a biodegradable, permeable enclosure configured for receiving the material through an inlet. The permeable enclosure comprises layered biodegradable textiles, an inner portion and an outer portion, derived from renewable resources. The inner portion has an apparent opening size between about 0.5 mm and 3 mm. The outer portion has a ratio of the minimum tensile strength in the warp direction to the minimum tensile strength in the weft direction of about 2.5.

The present disclosure generally relates to a device for dewatering a material. The device comprises a biodegradable, permeable enclosure configured for receiving the material through an inlet. The permeable enclosure comprises layered biodegradable textiles, an inner portion and an outer portion, derived from renewable resources. The inner portion has an apparent opening size between about 0.5 mm and 3 mm. The outer portion has a ratio of the minimum tensile strength in the warp direction to the minimum tensile strength in the weft direction of about 2.5.

The present invention is a water purification system and method including a treatment tank with a water inlet, a chlorine source, and a heating element; at least one storage tank with at least one treated water outlet between the treatment tank and the storage tank(s) through which treated water passes therebetween, and a final water outlet(s) through which treated water leaves the system for the benefit of the end user. A power source powers all elements that require power, such as the heating element.

The description describes the integration of a gas fermentation process with a gasification process whereby effluent from the gas fermentation process is recycled to the gasification process. The one or more effluents which can be recycled include a stream comprising microbial biomass, a product stream comprising at least a portion of the at least one fermentation product, a by-product stream comprising fusel oil, and a waste water stream comprising microbial biomass. The stream comprising biomass can be dried before it is passed to the gasification zone. At least a portion of the waste water stream can be passed to the gasification process where one use is to replace at least a portion of the process water. The waste water stream can be further processed to produce a clarified water stream and a biogas stream comprising methane either or both of which can be passed to the gasification process.