CONTINUOUS-, LINEAR-, FLEXIBLE-CHANNEL SEWAGE TREATMENT PROCESS, THROUGH A MODIFIED AEROBIC BIOLOGICAL REACTOR SYSTEM, OR TRANSFORMATION OF AN EXISTING ANAEROBIC BIOLOGICAL REACTOR INTO A MODIFIED AEROBIC BIOLOGICAL REACTOR, COUPLED WITH A MODIFIED FLEXIBLE FLOTATION/DECANTING SYSTEM

Abstract

Process of sewage treatment in a continuous, linear and flexible channel, through a modified aerobic biological reactor system, or transformation of an existing anaerobic biological reactor into a modified aerobic biological reactor, coupled with a modified flexible flotation/decantation system, intended for the sewage treatment, to be carried out in a treatment plant, in a continuous, linear and flexible channel, using, as preliminary treatment, a garbage grid and a sandbox, to remove these debris, followed by a primary treatment, where the sewage receives the primary treatment inside an aerobic reactor—modified MBBR, or inside a pond aerated, facultative or anaerobic, transformed into an aerobic reactor—modified MBBR, or even inside an anaerobic reactor—UASB transformed into an aerobic reactor—modified MBBR, followed by a secondary treatment.

Claims

1. “Continuous-, linear-, flexible-channel sewage treatment process, through a modified aerobic biological reactor system, or transformation of an existing anaerobic biological reactor into a modified aerobic biological reactor, coupled with a modified flexible flotation/decanting system”, intended for the treatment of sewage (2), in that it is carried out at a treatment station, in a continuous, linear, and flexible channel (1), using the following stages: PHASE 1—preliminary treatment (100) of the sewage (2), with the installation of a garbage-trap grid (105), followed by a sandbox (110) in the sewage (2) channel (1), where the garbage-trap grid (105) traps the floating and submerged solid waste, and the sandbox (110) traps the sand and silt contained in the sewage flow (2), and the sewage (2) follows through the continuous, linear, and flexible channel (1), to the PHASE 2 of the treatment, which constitutes the primary treatment (200); PHASE 2—Primary treatment (200) of the sewage (2), where the sewage (2) from Phase 1 (100) is provided primary treatment (200) inside a modified MBBR aerobic reactor (205); such modification (205) consists in installing impermeable walls (230) inside a regular MBBR aerobic reactor, to form channels (baffles) (235) inside the regular MBBR aerobic reactor itself, in order to channel the sewage flow (2) from the inlet (206) to the outlet (207) of the modified MBBR aerobic reactor (205); at the passageways formed by said inside channels (235), cage-shaped traps (240) are installed, which accommodate and trap the biomedia (225), and such biomedia (225) move within the cage-shaped traps (240), driven by aerators (220) installed at the bottom of the modified MBBR aerobic reactor (205); said primary treatment (200) consists of oxygen-enriched aeration (220) that stirs the biomedia (225) inside the modified MBBR aerobic reactor (205), and, after primary treatment (200), the sewage (2) from this PHASE 2 (200) is directed to PHASE 3, where it is provided secondary treatment (300); PHASE 3—Secondary treatment (300) of the sewage (2) from PHASE 2 (200), where the sewage (2), after leaving PHASE 2 (200), is routed-without the need to pass through an equalization tank (4)—to secondary treatment (300) by the modified, flexible decanting/flotation system (305), and such modification (305) is carried out within the continuous, linear, and flexible channel (1) by the installation of a longitudinal septum (360) arranged in a central or decentralized manner in relation to the continuous, linear, and flexible channel (1), equipped with individual inlet gates (364); this longitudinal septum (360) is arranged along the inside area of said continuous, linear, and flexible (1) channel, to split the main continuous, linear, and flexible (1) channel into at least two parallel linear sub-channels (361 and 362), allowing the individual operation of each sub-channel (361 and 362), independently from each other; such secondary treatment (300) by the flexible, modified decanting/flotation system (305) is carried out with the coagulation (345) and flocculation (350) stages, using a mixture of coagulant and flocculant through aeration (310), followed by flotation or decanting (305), removal of the floated sludge (20) and/or decanted sludge (340), and the passage of the treated sewage (30); the treated sewage (30) follows to the receiving water body (50), such as a river or lake.

2. “Continuous-, linear-, flexible-channel sewage treatment process, through a modified aerobic biological reactor system, or transformation of an existing anaerobic biological reactor into a modified aerobic biological reactor, coupled with a modified flexible flotation/decanting system”, intended for the treatment of sewage (2), in that it is carried out at a treatment station, in a continuous, linear, and flexible channel (1), using the following stages: PHASE 1—preliminary treatment (100) of the sewage (2), with the installation of a garbage-trap grid (105), followed by a sandbox (110) in the sewage (2) channel (1), where the garbage-trap grid (105) traps the floating and submerged solid waste, and the sandbox (110) traps the sand and silt contained in the sewage flow (2), and the sewage (2) follows through the continuous, linear, and flexible channel (1), to the PHASE 2 of the treatment, which constitutes the primary treatment (200); PHASE 2—Primary treatment (200) of sewage (2), where the sewage (2) from Phase 1 (100) receives primary treatment (200) inside the aerated/optional/anaerobic pond (210) converted into a modified aerobic reactor (MBBR) (205); such conversion is done by installing aerators (220) at the bottom of said aerated/optional/anaerobic pond (210), installing impermeable walls (230) within said aerated/optional/anaerobic pond (210) to form of channels (baffles) (235) within said aerated/optional/anaerobic pond (210), to direct the sewage (2) flow from the inlet (206) of the aerated/optional/anaerobic pond (210) already converted into a modified MBBR aerobic reactor (205) to its outlet (207); at the passageways formed by said inside channels (235), cage-shaped traps (240) are arranged, which accommodate and trap the biomedia (225), and such biomedia (225) is stirred within the cage-shaped traps (240), driven by aerators (220) arranged at the bottom of said aerated/optional/anaerobic pond (210) already converted into modified MBBR aerobic reactors (205); said primary treatment (200) consists of oxygen-enriched aeration (220), which stirs the biomedia (225) inside the modified MBBR aerobic reactor (205), and, after primary treatment (200), the sewage (2) from this PHASE 2 (200), is directed to PHASE 3, where it is provided secondary treatment (300); PHASE 3—Secondary treatment (300) of the sewage (2) from PHASE 2 (200), where the sewage (2), after leaving PHASE 2 (200), is routed—without the need to pass through an equalization tank (4)—to secondary treatment (300) by the modified, flexible decanting/flotation system (305), and such modification (305) is carried out within the continuous, linear, and flexible channel (1) by the installation of a longitudinal septum (360) arranged in a central or decentralized manner in relation to the continuous, linear, and flexible channel (1), equipped with individual inlet gates (364); this longitudinal septum (360) is arranged along the inside area of said continuous, linear, and flexible (1) channel, to split the main continuous, linear, and flexible (1) channel into at least two parallel linear sub-channels (361 and 362), allowing the individual operation of each sub-channel (361 and 362), independently from each other; such secondary treatment (300) by the flexible, modified decanting/flotation system (305) is carried out with the coagulation (345) and flocculation (350) stages, using a mixture of coagulant and flocculant through aeration (310), followed by flotation or decanting (305), removal of the floated sludge (20) and/or decanted sludge (340), and the passage of the treated sewage (30); the treated sewage (30) follows to the receiving water body (50), such as a river or lake.

3. “Continuous-, linear-, flexible-channel sewage treatment process, through a modified aerobic biological reactor system, or transformation of an existing anaerobic biological reactor into a modified aerobic biological reactor, coupled with a modified flexible flotation/decanting system”, intended for the treatment of sewage (2), in that it is carried out at a treatment station, in a continuous, linear, and flexible channel (1), using the following stages: PHASE 1—preliminary treatment (100) of the sewage (2), with the installation of a garbage-trap grid (105), followed by a sandbox (110) in the sewage (2) channel (1), where the garbage-trap grid (105) traps the floating and submerged solid waste, and the sandbox (110) traps the sand and silt contained in the sewage flow (2), and the sewage (2) follows through the continuous, linear, and flexible channel (1), to the PHASE 2 of the treatment, which constitutes the primary treatment (200); PHASE 2—Primary treatment (200) of sewage (2), where the sewage (2) from Phase 1 (100) receives primary treatment (200) inside the UASB anaerobic reactor (215) already converted into a modified MBBR aerobic reactor (205); such conversion is made by removing the entire contents from inside the regular UASB anaerobic reactor (215), by installing aerators (220) at the bottom of a common UASB anaerobic reactor (215), by installing impermeable walls (230) inside said regular UASB anaerobic reactor (215), to form channels (baffles) (235), in order to drive the sewage (2) flow from the inlet (206) of a regular UASB anaerobic reactor (215) already converted into a modified MBBR aerobic reactor (205) to the outlet (207), and at the passageways formed by said inside channels (235), cage-shaped traps (240) are arranged, which accommodate and trap the biomedia (235), and such biomedia (235) move inside the cages-shaped traps (240), driven by the aerators (220) installed at the bottom of said regular UASB anaerobic reactor (215) already converted into a modified MBBR aerobic reactor (205); said primary treatment (200) consists of oxygen-enriched aeration (220, which stirs the biomedia (225) inside the modified MBBR aerobic reactor (205), and, after primary treatment (200), the sewage (2) from this PHASE 2 (200) is driven to PHASE 3, where it is provided secondary treatment (300); PHASE 3—Secondary treatment (300) of the sewage (2) from PHASE 2 (200), where the sewage (2), after leaving PHASE 2 (200), is routed—without the need to pass through an equalization tank (4)—to secondary treatment (300) by the modified, flexible decanting/flotation system (305), and such modification (305) is carried out within the continuous, linear, and flexible channel (1) by the installation of a longitudinal septum (360) arranged in a central or decentralized manner in relation to the continuous, linear, and flexible channel (1), equipped with individual inlet gates (364); this longitudinal septum (360) is arranged along the inside area of said continuous, linear, and flexible (1) channel, to split the main continuous, linear, and flexible (1) channel into at least two parallel linear sub-channels (361 and 362), allowing the individual operation of each sub-channel (361 and 362), independently from each other; such secondary treatment (300) by the flexible, modified decanting/flotation system (305) is carried out with the coagulation (345) and flocculation (350) stages, using a mixture of coagulant and flocculant through aeration (310), followed by flotation or decanting (305), removal of the floated sludge (20) and/or decanted sludge (340), and the passage of the treated sewage (30); the treated sewage (30) follows to the receiving water body (50), such as a river or lake.

4. “Continuous-, linear-, flexible-channel sewage treatment process, through a modified aerobic biological reactor system, or transformation of an existing anaerobic biological reactor into a modified aerobic biological reactor, coupled with a modified flexible flotation/decanting system”, intended for the treatment of sewage (2), according to claim 1, in that the preliminary treatment (100) consists of installing in the sewage flow (2) channel (1) grid (105) to trap solid waste, both superficial and submerged, and installing a sand box (110) to trap sand and silt; said sand box (110) consists of moving sand traps (115) equipped with an upper cable (120) for lifting, whose upper end is provided with a float (125) for flotation above the sewage (2) flow level.

5. “Continuous-, linear-, flexible-channel sewage treatment process, through a modified aerobic biological reactor system, or transformation of an existing anaerobic biological reactor into a modified aerobic biological reactor, coupled with a modified flexible flotation/decanting system”, intended for the treatment of sewage (2), according to claim 1, in that the sewage (2), after receiving preliminary treatment (100), enters (206) through the internal channels (baffles) (235) arranged inside the modified MBBR aerobic reactor (205), and said sewage (2) is driven by oxygen-enriched aerators (220) installed at the bottom of said modified MBBR aerobic reactor, passing through the cage-shaped traps (240), which trap the biomedia (225), until reaching the outlet (207) of the modified MBBR aerobic reactor (205) and being taken to the secondary treatment (300) at PHASE 3.

6. “continuous-, linear-, flexible-channel sewage treatment process, through a modified aerobic biological reactor system, or transformation of an existing anaerobic biological reactor into a modified aerobic biological reactor, coupled with a modified flexible flotation/decanting system”, intended for the treatment of sewage (2), according to claim 2, in that the sewage (2), after receiving preliminary treatment (100), enters through the internal channels (baffles) (235) arranged inside the aerated/optional/aerobic pond (210) converted into a modified MBBR aerobic reactor (205), and said sewage (2) is driven by oxygen-enriched aerators (220) arranged at the bottom of said modified MBBR aerobic reactor (205), passing through the cage-shaped traps (240), which trap the biomedia (225), until reaching the outlet (207) of the modified MBBR aerobic reactor (205) and being taken to the secondary treatment (300) at phase 3.

7. “Continuous-, linear-, flexible-channel sewage treatment process, through a modified aerobic biological reactor system, or transformation of an existing anaerobic biological reactor into a modified aerobic biological reactor, coupled with a modified flexible flotation/decanting system”, intended for the treatment of sewage (2), according to claim 3, in that the sewage (2), after receiving preliminary treatment (100), enters (206) through the internal channels (baffles) (235) arranged inside an anaerobic UASB reactor (215) converted into a modified MBBR aerobic reactor (205), and said sewage (2) is driven by oxygen-enriched aerators (200) arranged at the bottom of said modified MBBR aerobic reactor (205), passing through the cage-shaped traps (240), which trap the biomedia (225), until reaching the outlet (207) of the modified MBBR aerobic reactor (205) and being taken to the secondary treatment (300) at PHASE 3.

8. “Continuous-, linear-, flexible-channel sewage treatment process, through a modified aerobic biological reactor system, or transformation of an existing anaerobic biological reactor into a modified aerobic biological reactor, coupled with a modified flexible flotation/decanting system”, intended for the treatment of sewage (2), according to claim 1, in that the sewage (2), after receiving primary treatment (200), is routed through the continuous, linear, and flexible channel (1)—without the need to pass through an equalization tank (4)—to secondary treatment (300) through the flexible, modified decanting/flotation system (305), where the sewage (2) is provided secondary treatment (300) with the stages of coagulation (345) (by mixing coagulants) flocculation (350) (by mixing a flocculant), both through aeration (310), followed by flotation or decanting (305), with the floated sludge (20) driven by the channel flow (1), aided by the existing retractable scraper device (15) on the overhead crane-type lifting device (5), and this sludge (20) is removed from the channel (1) through a dredging wheel (25) installed downstream from the flotation/decanting stage (305), and the decanted sludge (340) is removed from the channel (1) through a suction device (325) installed at the bottom of said channel (1), then the treated sewage (30) follows, in both cases, to the receiving water body (50), such as a river or lake.

9. “Continuous-, linear-, flexible-channel sewage treatment process, through a modified aerobic biological reactor system, or transformation of an existing anaerobic biological reactor into a modified aerobic biological reactor, coupled with a modified flexible flotation/decanting system”, intended for the treatment of sewage (2), according to claim 1, in that an overhead crane-type lifting device (5) is installed above the continuous, linear, and flexible channel (1), equipped with a retractable sludge scraper (15) at the bottom, which extends to below the sewage (2) flow level, and said overhead crane-type lifting device (5) moves along the entire length of the continuous, linear, and flexible channel (1), from upstream of the preliminary treatment stage (100), to downstream of the sewage outlet (30 or 40) and to the receiving water body (50), through rails (10) installed on the sides of said continuous, linear, and flexible channel (1), also featuring a displacement rail (11) arranged transversely to the continuous, linear, and flexible channel (1), where the lifting device (12) itself is fastened, allowing positioning for lifting at any point of interest within the continuous, linear, and flexible channel (1).

10. “Continuous-, linear-, flexible-channel sewage treatment process, through a modified aerobic biological reactor system, or transformation of an existing anaerobic biological reactor into a modified aerobic biological reactor, coupled with a modified flexible flotation/decanting system”, intended for the treatment of sewage (2), according to claim 1, in that it is carried out at a treatment station, in a continuous, linear, and flexible channel (1), using the following optional stage: PHASE 4—Disinfection (400) of the sewage (2) from PHASE 3 (300), where the sewage already treated (30) at PHASES 1 (100), 2 (200), and 3 (300) passes through channels (baffles) (410) formed by the arrangement of impermeable walls (415) inside the primary channel (1), where said sewage flow already treated (30) at the previous phases is subjected to disinfection (405) by adding sodium hypochlorite or other oxidizing agent (405) during such path through said baffles (410), and the treated, disinfected sewage (40) follows to the receiving water body (50), such as a river or lake.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0060] Augmenting the present description, so as to provide better understanding of the features hereof, and pursuant to a preferred embodiment hereof, the description is followed by a set of drawings, where, as an example, although not limiting, the following was depicted:

[0061] FIG. 1A illustrates the stages of Wastewater Treatment Plants—conventional WWTPs in the State of the Art, with preliminary, primary, and secondary treatment;

[0062] FIG. 1B illustrates the treatment process in the form of a continuous, linear, and flexible channel, sized to work with a sewage flow rate equivalent to that treated at a conventional WWTP;

[0063] FIG. 2A illustrates the stages of Wastewater Treatment Plants—conventional WWTPs in the State of the Art, with preliminary, primary treatment only, through UASB reactors;

[0064] FIG. 2B illustrates the conventional WWTP with a UASB anaerobic reactor already transformed into a modified MBBR aerobic reactor, combined with the continuous, linear, and flexible channel;

[0065] FIG. 3A illustrates the stages of conventional Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) at the State of the Art with only preliminary and primary treatment by aerated, optional, or anaerobic pond;

[0066] FIG. 3B illustrates the conventional WWTP with the aerated, optional, or anaerobic pond already transformed into an aerobic MBBR reactor, combined with the continuous, linear, and flexible channel;

[0067] FIG. 4 illustrates the inside of the modified MBBR reactor, with its channels (baffles);

[0068] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the treatment process stages in a continuous, linear, and flexible channel, without the optional disinfection stage;

[0069] FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the treatment process stages in a continuous, linear, and flexible channel, with the optional disinfection stage;

[0070] FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of the continuous, linear, and flexible channel, with the longitudinal septum;

[0071] FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-section, according to indication “A-A”, of the treatment process in the form of a continuous, linear, and flexible channel, observing the mobile sand traps;

[0072] FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-section, according to indication “B-B”, of the treatment process in the form of a continuous, linear, and flexible channel;

[0073] FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-section, according to indication “C-C”, of the treatment process in the form of a continuous, linear, and flexible channel, with the longitudinal septum;

[0074] FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-section, according to indication “D-D”, of the treatment process in the form of a continuous, linear, and flexible channel, with the longitudinal septum;

[0075] FIG. 12 shows a schematic and side view of the overhead crane-type lifting device, and the floating sludge dredging wheel;

[0076] FIG. 13 illustrates a side view of the overhead crane-type lifting device, with the transverse rail, lifting winch, and scraper.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SUBJECT MATTER

[0077] As illustrated in the figures above and provided in the invention, the “Process for sewage treatment in a continuous, linear, and flexible channel, through a modified aerobic biological reactor system, or conversion of an existing anaerobic biological reactor into a modified aerobic biological reactor, coupled with a modified flexible flotation/decanting system”, intended for sewage treatment (2), to be carried out at a treatment plant, through a continuous, linear and flexible channel (1), using, as preliminary treatment (100), a garbage grid (105) and a sandbox (110) to remove such debris, followed by primary treatment (200), where the sewage (2) receives said primary treatment (200) inside a modified aerobic reactor (MBBR) (205), or inside an aerated, optional, or anaerobic pond (210) converted into a modified aerobic reactor (MBBR) (205), or even inside an anaerobic reactor (UASB) (215) converted into a modified aerobic reactor (MBBR) (205), followed by secondary treatment (300) consisting of a flexible, modified decanting/flotation system (305), where said primary treatment (200) consisting of oxygen-enriched aeration (220), which stirs the biomedia (225) inside the modified aerobic reactor (MBBR) (205) of the aerated, optional, or anaerobic pond (210) converted into a modified MBBR aerobic reactor (205), or even the anaerobic reactor UASB (215) converted into a modified MBBR aerobic reactor (205), where, after the primary treatment (200), the sewage (2) from said primary treatment (200) is directed to the secondary treatment (300 without the need to pass through an equalization tank (4), where it receives the treatment by a flexible, modified decanting/flotation system (305).

[0078] The preliminary treatment (100) consists installing in the sewage flow channel (2) a grid (105) to trap the solid waste—both superficial and submerged—and a sandbox (110) to trap sand and silt, where said sandbox (110) consists of mobile sand traps (115) equipped with an upper lifting cable (120), whose upper end is provided with a float (125) for flotation above the sewage flow (2) level, to be removed by the overhead crane-type lifting, device (5).

[0079] The modified aerobic reactor (MBBR) (205) consists of the installation of impermeable walls (230) inside it, forming channels (baffles) (235) inside the modified aerobic reactor (MBBR) (205) itself, so as to direct the sewage flow (2) from the inlet (206) of the modified aerobic reactor (MBBR) (205) to the outlet (207) of the modified aerobic reactor (MBBR) (205), so that all sewage flow (2) receives the primary treatment (200) and allows the proper dispersion of the polluting particles along the continuous, linear channel (1) of the treatment process, preventing unfavorable phenomena such as preferential paths that prevent the appropriate times for chemical reactions, also preventing “dead” zones, where treatment is less effective and the precipitation of pollutants in the channel is possible.

[0080] In the passageways of the impermeable walls (230) that form the channels (baffles) (235) inside the modified aerobic reactor (MBBR) (205), cage-shaped traps (240) are installed to contain the biomedia (225) and prevent said biomedia (225) from being carried forward by the flow of said channel and passing to the next treatment stage, ensuring that all sewage (2) is reached by oxygen-enriched aeration (220) and biomedia (225). These cage-shaped traps (240) also serve to allow the biomedia (225) removal from the treatment channel (1) for maintenance or parts replacement, through the overhead crane-type lifting device (5).

[0081] These cage-shaped traps (240) are provided, at their top portion, with supports (245) for lifting and removal.

[0082] The thick-bubble aerator pipes (310), arranged at the bottom of the sewage flow channel (secondary treatment (300)), are provided with an upper cable (315) for lifting, whose upper end is provided with a float (320) for fluctuation above the sewage flow (2) level, for removal by the overhead crane-type lifting device (5).

[0083] The decanted sludge (340) suction pipes (325) are also provided with an upper cable (330) for lifting, whose upper end is provided with a float (335) for flotation above the sewage flow level, for removal by the overhead crane-type lifting device (5).

[0084] The overhead crane-type lifting device (5) travels along the entire length of the continuous, linear, and flexible channel (1) from upstream of the preliminary treatment stage (100), to downstream of sewage outlet (30 or 40), then to the receiving water body (50), through rails (10) installed on the sides of said continuous, linear, and flexible channel (1), being used to remove garbage and sand trapped respectively in the garbage grid (105) and sandbox (110), provided at the preliminary treatment stage (100), as well as the potential removal of damaged equipment installed in the treatment channel (1), allowing that this equipment is led out of the channel (1) and unloaded at a yard or directly onto a truck to be sent for maintenance. The overhead crane-type lifting device (5) also features a displacement rail (11) arranged transversely to the continuous, linear, and flexible channel (1), where the lifting device (12) itself is fastened, allowing positioning for lifting at any point of interest within the treatment plant (1), which provides extremely easy maintenance, whether on site or, if necessary, at the appropriate workshop, and, consequently, replacing the damaged equipment with other identical or even more modern equipment, which can even be available on site, which still allows modernizing the now innovated WWTP, as more advanced equipment and materials emerge, without the need to carry out construction work, and even without shutting down the treatment process.

[0085] The overhead crane-type lifting device (5) also features, at its bottom, a retractable scraper device (15), which extends to below the sewage flow level (2), to scrape the surface sludge (20) and forward such surface sludge (20) to the dredging wheel (25).

[0086] After the preliminary treatment (100), the sewage (2) enters (206) through the internal channels (baffles) (235) located inside the modified aerobic reactor (MBBR) (205), being conducted through the cage-shaped traps (240) of biomedia (225) and through the oxygen-enriched aerators (220) installed at the bottom of said modified aerobic reactor (MBBR) (205), until reaching the outlet (207) of the modified aerobic reactor (MBBR) (205) and moving to the next treatment stage.

[0087] The aerators (220) installed at the bottom of the modified aerobic reactor (MBBR) (205) also play the role of stirring the biomedia (225) inside the cage-shaped traps (240), inside the modified aerobic reactor (MBBR) (205), in order to provide the primary treatment (200) of said organic sewage (2).

[0088] The bottom aerators (220) are enriched with oxygen to maximize the primary treatment (200) of sewage (2), since oxygen enhances the action of the bacteria adhered to the biomedia (225) in the form of bacterial colonies.

[0089] At conventional Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) (3) in operation, which feature anaerobic reactors (UASB) (215), the present process provides the conversion of such anaerobic reactors (UASB) (215) into modified aerobic reactors (MBBR) (205), by removing the entire inside part of said anaerobic reactor (UASB) (215), followed by the installation of aerators (220) at the bottom of said reactor (215); the installation of the impermeable internal walls (230) in order to form channels (baffles) (235) inside the reactor; and the installation of cage-shaped traps (240) at the passageways of the channels (baffles) (235) to trap the biomedia (225) along said channels. The sewage flow (2) enters the anaerobic reactor (UASB) (215) already converted into a modified aerobic reactor (MBBR) (205) through a single predetermined inlet (206), and the oxygen-enriched bottom aerators (220) stir the biomedia (225), and the biomedia (225) is trapped by the cage-shaped traps (240), not dispersing along the channels (235), and said biomedia (225) move only within the cage-shaped traps (240).

[0090] Again at conventional Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) (3) in operation, the present process provides the retrofitting of the aerated, optional, or anaerobic ponds (210) into a modified aerobic reactor (MBBR) (205), with the installation of aerators (220) at the bottom of said ponds (210); the installation of impermeable internal walls (230) so as to form channels (baffles) (235) inside the ponds (210); and the installation of cage-shaped traps (24) at the passageways of the channels (baffles) (235) to trap the biomedia (225) along said channels (235). The sewage flow (2) enters the pond through a single predetermined inlet (206), and the oxygen-enriched bottom aerators (220) stir the biomedia (225), and the biomedia (225) is trapped by the cage-shaped traps (240), not dispersing along the channels (235), and said biomedia (225) move only within the cage-shaped traps (240).

[0091] After the primary treatment (200), the sewage flow (2) from the modified aerobic reactor (MBBR) (205), from the aerated, optional, or anaerobic pond (220) already converted into a modified aerobic reactor (MBBR) (205), or even from the anaerobic reactor (UASB) (215) already converted into a modified aerobic reactor (MBBR) (205), is sent—without the need to pass through an equalization tank (4),—to secondary treatment (300) through the flexible, modified decanting/flotation system (305), where the sewage (2)—depending on the season, increased treatment flow rate, and quality of the incoming sewage (2)—is treated by the coagulation (345) and flocculation (350) stages with a mixture of coagulant and flocculant through aeration (310), followed by flotation or decanting (305), removal of the floated sludge (20) or decanted sludge (340), and passage of the treated sewage (30).

[0092] As a constructive alternative, the continuous, linear, and flexible channel (1) at the flexible, modified secondary treatment stage (300) by decanting/flotation may include at least one longitudinal septum (360) arranged in a centralized or decentralized manner in relation to the channel; this longitudinal septum (360) is arranged along the inside area of said channel to form at least two parallel linear channels, called sub-channels (361 and 362), allowing their use for various purposes, e.g., one sub-channel (361 or 362) operating with decanting and the other sub-channel (361 or 362) operating with flotation, allowing increased refinement in the choice of processes, ensuring increased cost-effectiveness, with the possibility of installing independent gates (364) at the inlets of said sub-channels (361 and 362), for individual flow rate control.

[0093] Said split of the sewage flow (2) channel (1) into two sub-channels (361 and 362) by she longitudinal septum (360) allows using a sub-channel (361 or 362) for sewage treatment (2), while the other sub-channel (361 or 362) does not operate, saving power from the equipment, so that it does not operate idly, as in low treatment flow rate scenarios.

[0094] The floated sludge (20) is driven by the flow of the channel (1), being aided by the retractable scraper device (15) existing on the overhead crane-type lifting device (5), and this sludge (20) is removed from the channel through a dredging wheel (25) installed downstream from the flotation/decanting stage (305), and can be recycled and reused in the most diverse activities, such as composting and reforestation, as long as it does not contain industrial pollution.

[0095] The decanted sludge (340) is removed from the channel (1) through a suction device (325) installed at the bottom of said channel, and can be recycled and reused for various activities, such as composting and reforestation, provided that it does not contain industrial pollution.

[0096] After the floated sludge (20) and/or decanted sludge (340) is removed, the treated sewage (30) follows the continuous flow until the end of the continuous, linear, and flexible channel (1); as a constructive alternative, an additional disinfection stage (400), using sodium hypochlorite or another oxidizing agent (405), may be included, where the sewage already treated (30) at the previous stages (100, 200 and 300) passes through channels (baffles) (410) arranged inside the primary channel (1), where it is provided said disinfection treatment (405) with sodium hypochlorite or another oxidizing agent, until the outlet, following the treated and disinfected sewage (40) to the receiving water body (50), such as a river or lake.

[0097] Within the basic construction described above, we claim a continuous-, linear-, flexible-channel sewage treatment process, through a modified aerobic biological reactor system, or transformation of an existing anaerobic biological reactor into a modified aerobic biological reactor, coupled with a modified flexible flotation decanting system, the subject matter of this patent, which may be modified in terms of construction, sizing, materials, functional configurations, and process stages and parameters without departing from the patent protection scope. [0098] [Illegible content]. [0099] FIG. 1B. [0100] [It bears a picture]. [0101] [Illegible content]. [0102] 2/11. [0103] FIG. 2A. [0104] [It bears a picture]. [0105] [Illegible content]. [0106] FIG. 2B. [0107] [It bears a picture]. [0108] [Illegible content]. [0109] 3/11 [0110] FIG. 3A. [0111] [It bears a picture]. [0112] [Illegible content]. [0113] FIG. 3B. [0114] [It bears a picture]. [0115] [Illegible content]. [0116] 4/11. [0117] FIG. 4. [0118] [It bears a picture]. [0119] 206-230-235. [0120] 205-207. [0121] 5/11. [0122] FIG. 5. [0123] [It bears a picture]. [0124] Treatment channel. [0125] 1-2-100-A-206-B-200-205-300-345/350-5-305-25-30. [0126] 105-A-110-240-B-220-207-310-20. [0127] Treatment flow direction. [0128] 6/11. [0129] FIG. 6. [0130] [It bears a picture]. [0131] Treatment channel. [0132] 1-2-100-206-205-200-300-364-345/350-305-400-40. [0133] 105-110-240-220-207-362-360-361-5-310-20-25-405-410-415. [0134] Treatment flow direction. [0135] 7/11. [0136] FIG. 7. [0137] [It bears a picture]. [0138] Treatment channel. [0139] 1-225-205-364-C-345/350-5-D-305-25-30. [0140] 225-207-310-360-C-362-361-D-20. [0141] Treatment flow direction. [0142] 8/11. [0143] FIG. 8. [0144] SECTION A.A. [0145] [It bears a picture]. [0146] 1-10-125-120-10-115-110. [0147] 9/11. [0148] FIG. 9. [0149] SECTION B.B. [0150] [It bears a picture]. [0151] 1-10-245-205-240-225-10-200-220. [0152] FIG. 10. [0153] SECTION B.B. [0154] [It bears a picture]. [0155] 1-10-362-320-315-360-320-315-361-10-345/350-310. [0156] 10/11. [0157] FIG. 11. [0158] SECTION D.D. [0159] [It bears a picture]. [0160] 1-10-362-330-335-360-361-330-335-10-305-325-340. [0161] FIG. 12. [0162] [It bears a picture]. [0163] 10-5-12-15-20-25-30. [0164] 11/11. [0165] FIG. 13. [0166] 20-10-5-11-12-10-15-1. [0167] Application 870200089809, on Jul. 20, 2020.