Patent ID: 7390410
Filing Date: 2008-06-24
Classification: C02F

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for the anaerobic treatment of waste water, comprising: a plug flow bioreactor having a plurality of sidewalls, a top cover, a bottom wall, an inlet for the waste water to be treated, and a discharge for treated waste water; a single bed of inert microbial attachment media having anaerobic microorganisms attached to a substantial portion of the inert microbial attachment media, the bed of inert microbial attachment media substantially covering the bottom wall and having a top bed surface; at least one baffle member having upper and lower surfaces and side edge surfaces, the side edge surfaces being disposed in a substantially sealed relationship with the side walls, the upper surface being disposed in a substantially sealed relationship with the top cover and a portion of the at least one baffle member being disposed in contact with the top bed surface of the bed of inert microbial attachment media, the baffle member having at least one opening disposed above the top bed surface, whereby the at least one baffle member forms a first zone and at least one second zone above the bed of inert microbial attachment media within the bioreactor; at least one clarifier disposed in the first zone, the at least one clarifier in the first zone having a recycle line and an opening for entry of waste water from the inlet; at least one clarifier disposed in the at least one second zone, the at least one clarifier in the second zone having a recycle line and an opening for entry of waste water from the first zone; a plurality of nozzles disposed in the bed of inert microbial attachment media at least some of the plurality of nozzles in communication with waste water from the recycle line of the at least one clarifier in the first zone and at least some of the plurality of nozzles in communication with waste water from the recycle line of the at least one clarifier in the second zone; and the at least one opening in the at least one baffle member is in fluid communication with the clarifier in the at least one second zone, whereby waste water, after passing through at least some of the plurality of nozzles and upwardly through a portion of the bed of inert microbial attachment media into the first zone, may pass from the first zone through the at least one opening in the at least one baffle member into the clarifier in the at least one second zone, and thereafter outwardly from the bioreactor through the discharge.