Patent ID: 6039875
Filing Date: 2000-03-21
Classification: C02F

Abstract:
A method of removing suspended solids from an aqueous solution comprising:establishing turbulent conditions in said aqueous solution;adding to said solution cultures of exo-polymer producing bacteria capable of incorporating phosphate in Poly-.beta.-Hydroxybutyrate storage polymers to said solution and capable of producing at least about 0.4 grams of exo-polymer for each gram of exo-polymer producing bacteria wherein said exo-polymers are capable of capturing said suspended solids in said turbulent conditions;establishing sufficient levels of dissolved oxygen in said solution to support the production of said exo-polymers by said bacteria;establishing sufficiently low BOD.sub.5 levels in said solution to stimulate the production of said exo-polymers by said bacteria; andestablishing non-turbulent conditions in said aqueous solution whereby said exo-polymer producing bacteria and their captured suspended solids may flocculate and settle.