Patent ID: 7497949
Filing Date: 2009-03-03
Classification: B01F,C02F,Y02W

Abstract:
1. A method of treating high-solids content material in an aerobic digester of a wastewater system, the aerobic digester having a mechanically agitated contactor including a draft tube and an agitator disposed therein, the method comprising the steps of: disposing the high-solids content material having a solids loading of greater than about 10 grams per liter within the draft tube in the aerobic digester; introducing oxygen into the aerobic digester at a location proximate to an entrance of the draft tube; agitating the high-solids content material and oxygen within the draft tube to produce oxygen bubbles within the high-solids content material, the oxygen bubbles having an average diameter of between about 0.3 mm and 3.0 mm; and dispersing the high-solids content material including the oxygen bubbles from an exit of the draft tube into the aerobic digester to increase residency time of the oxygen bubbles within the high-solids content material in the aerobic digester.