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.

The invention relates to a continuously operational method for thermal hydrolysis of organic matter, which includes an impelling step in which the organic matter is conveyed, without the need to use pumps or other mechanical elements, a hydrolysis step in which the mass to be hydrolyzed is heated using live steam until reaching high temperatures in very short times and, after undergoing a first breakdown of the structure, is maintained at the hydrolysis temperature during a predetermined time, and an energy recovery step with vapors of two enthalpy levels. The invention also relates to a facility for implementing the method, which includes interconnected load and pressurization tanks in the impelling step, a quick mixer and a relief chamber in the hydrolysis step, and a decompression system with a flash chamber and an ejector that mixes the produced vapors in the recovery step.

Disclosed is a reactor for treating, particularly by hydrothermal carbonization, sludge containing organic matter, including, with: a vessel (100) including an inner chamber arranged to receive the sludge and to form a path of travel for the sludge adapted to allow for circulation of the sludge, a sludge inlet (1) arranged to introduce the sludge into a sludge introduction area of the inner chamber, a sludge outlet (11) arranged to discharge at least part of the sludge contained in the inner chamber, and a steam inlet (3) arranged to inject steam in a steam injection zone of the inner chamber along a steam injection direction, the steam injection direction being different from a sludge circulation direction in the steam injection zone along the circulation path, the steam injection zone being separated from the sludge introduction zone.

A method of continuous hydrothermal carbonization of sludge containing organic matter involves a step of hydrothermal reaction carried out in a reactor, and at least one cooling step in which the sludge having undergone the hydrothermal reaction step is cooled. The hydrothermal reaction step includes: a step of injection of sludge in which the sludge is injected into the reactor by a first inlet; a step of injection of steam in which steam is injected into the reactor by a second inlet, the second inlet being distinct from the first inlet; a step of circulation, in which a mixture consisting of the sludge and the steam injected into the reactor is placed in circulation within the reactor; a step of continuous extraction of at least a portion of the mixture contained in the reactor by a sludge outlet. Also disclosed is a device for carrying out such a method.

The invention relates to a continuously operational method for thermal hydrolysis of organic matter, which includes an impelling step in which the organic matter is conveyed, without the need to use pumps or other mechanical elements, a hydrolysis step in which the mass to be hydrolysed is heated using live steam until reaching high temperatures in very short times and, after undergoing a first breakdown of the structure, is maintained at the hydrolysis temperature during a predetermined time, and an energy recovery step with vapours of two enthalpy levels. The invention also relates to a facility for implementing the method, which includes interconnected load and pressurisation tanks in the impelling step, a quick mixer and a relief chamber in the hydrolysis step, and a decompression system with a flash chamber and an ejector that mixes the produced vapours in the recovery step.

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 method for reducing release of resistance genes during sludge anaerobic treatment includes controlling concentration of to-be-treated sludge in a concentration tank to be 12-20 g/L by sedimentation under gravity. The concentrated sludge is transferred to a supersonic pre-treatment device to proceed with supersonic pre-treatment. The supersonic pre-treatment is conducted for 5-30 minutes at a power of 0.1-0.5 kW and a frequency of 10-40 kHz. The pre-treated sludge is then transferred to an anaerobic treatment device for anaerobic treatment. The anaerobic treatment is conducted for 4-12 days at a temperature of 20-37 C. The release amount of resistance genes in the residual sludge and the supernatant liquid in the anaerobic treatment device is detected. A feedback dosage of an alkali liquid is fed into the anaerobic treatment device according to the release amount of the resistance genes, controlling a pH value to be 9.0-11.0 during the anaerobic treatment.

A system comprising method and apparatus for separating biologically-digestible materials from an influent sewage stream. The system may comprise a primary clarification tank to capture sixty percent or more of the total solids from an influent stream; a sludge classifying press (SCP) to isolate and concentrate biologically digestible materials from sludge formed in the primary clarification tank, releasing valuable organics, such as are found in corn kernels, by fracturing the protective casings; a grit capture mechanism in a chamber within the primary clarification tank and isolated from the bulk of the sludge containing biologically-degradable materials; a grit trap to remove grit from the sludge prior to classifying the sludge with the SCP; apparatus for adding thickener to the sludge after classification and prior to digestion; and automation of one or more elements of the process for separating and digesting the biologically digestible materials in an influent stream.

A liquid treatment device (100) including: a structure (10) having a first surface (10a) and a second surface (10b), the structure including: a conductor (11) arranged between the first surface (10a) and the second surface (10b), the conductor including a first portion (11a) exposed to outside at the first surface (10a) and a second portion (11b) exposed to outside at the second surface (10b), and the conductor electrically connecting the first portion (11a) and the second portion (11b); and an ion transfer layer (15) arranged between the first surface (10a) and the second surface (10b), the ion transfer layer (15) arranged between the first surface (10a) and the second surface (10b), allowing hydrogen ions to move therethrough; and a first treatment tank (12) for holding a first liquid to be treated (17) therein, wherein the first surface (10a) of the structure (10) is located inside the first treatment tank (12).

This disclosure relates to methods of enhancing sludge dewaterability by adding an alpha-amylase to the sludge prior to conventional conditioning and dewatering operations. A method of treating sludge is also disclosed including contacting sludge with an alpha-amylase and removing water from the sludge.