Patent ID: 6617155
Filing Date: 2003-09-09
Classification: B01J,C02F,Y02W

Abstract:
Apparatus for use in association with a bioreactor tank (22, 22b) having a bed (36, 36b) of media pellets to be fluidized and for treating filtrate (34, 34b) in said tank through biofilm adhering to said pellets (38) said apparatus comprising:a vertically elongate central manifold (100, 100b) having a plurality of openings (140, 140b) longitudinally spaced along its length, said openings (140b) In said central manifold being substantially axially aligned and included in a vertical plane extending radially outwardly of said central manifold (100, 100b), said central manifold including conduit means by which filtrate can be conveyed to and out of said openings (140, 140b); means for mounting said central manifold for rotation within a bioreactor tank having an inner peripheral wall (24b); and means (150, 400) for rotating said central manifold at a predetermined speed, when said central manifold is mounted in said bioreactor tank; wherein, when said central manifold is in operative association with said tank, filtrate communicated to said manifold openings (140, 140b) under pressure is ejected substantially horizontally from said manifold openings (140, 140b) in said plane to fluidize pellets cyclically in an arcuately narrow vertical zone (164, 164b) extending between said central manifold (100, 100b) and the peripheral wall (24, 24b) of said tank as said central manifold is rotated.