Patent ID: 6264838
Filing Date: 2001-07-24
Classification: C02F,Y02W

Abstract:
An improved method of removing contaminants from water, which comprises:(a) maintaining a flow storage chamber for contaminant containing water;(b) maintaining an inverted siphon or pump to pulse plug flow the contaminant containing water from the said flow storage chamber;(c) maintaining a bed of particulate containing substrate with bottom of said bed sloped to drain;(d) maintaining an inflow distribution perforated header pipe embedded transverse within said bed of particulate containing substrate connected by piping to said inverted siphon or pump;(e) maintaining a flow collector perforated header pipe embedded transverse within the said bed of particulate containing substrate opposite the said inflow distribution header;(f) maintaining a planting of vegetation upon the upper face of the said bed of particulate substrate;(g) maintaining a flow storage reservoir connected by piping to drain effluent of the said bed of particulate containing substrate at all times;(h) repetitiously introducing water containing contaminant into the said particulate containing substrate via the said inverted siphon or pump in sufficient pulsed plug flow quantity to inundate the said particulate substrate causing alternating time periods of aerobic and anaerobic conditions within the said bed of particulate containing substrate;(i) maintaining said alternating periods of aerobic and anaerobic conditions creates a microbial biofilm upon the surfaces of the said particulate surfaces effective in the reduction of said water contaminants;(j) maintaining the said planting of vegetation upon the upper face of the said bed of particulate substrate contributing to the removal of water containing contaminant nutrients and reduces water flow through evaporation and transpiration through said plant root system uptake and associated microbial activity;(k) effluent water produced by the combination of the said elements substantially reduces the contaminant concentration levels when compared with the influent water contaminant concentrations.