Patent ID: 6235196
Filing Date: 2001-05-22
Classification: C02F,Y02W

Abstract:
A bioprocessing system for wastewater, comprising:an anaerobic bioreactor subsystem in feed communication with said wastewater, said anaerobic bioreactor subsystem capable of providing fixed film anaerobic processing of said wastewater in the substantial absence of aerobic processing of said wastewater, said anaerobic processing comprising a step of substantial total organic carbon degradation of more than 50% and up to about 90% in said wastewater and a step of substantial denitrification in said wastewater;an aerobic bioreactor subsystem downstream of said anaerobic reactor subsystem such that said aerobic bioreactor subsystem can directly receive an effluent from said anaerobic bioreactor subsystem in the substantial absence of additional bioprocessing of total organic carbon in said anaerobic bioreactor subsystem effluent, said additional bioprocessing being less than 50% and down to about 10%, said aerobic bioreactor subsystem capable of providing fixed film aerobic processing of said wastewater in the substantial absence of anaerobic processing of said wastewater, said aerobic processing comprising a step of nitrification in said wastewater; anda recycle loop for directly recycling a portion of an effluent from said aerobic bioreactor subsystem to an influent of said anaerobic bioreactor subsystem, said portion of effluent being in an amount sufficient to provide for continuous, self-regulation of pH in said anaerobic bioreactor subsystem.