Patent ID: 6113786
Filing Date: 2000-09-05
Classification: C02F

Abstract:
A method of improving the efficiency of an anaerobic treatment process wherein anaerobic bacteria are contacted in an anaerobic reactor with an influent containing organic material, non-biodegradable organic material, dissolved inorganic material, and undissolved inorganic material, and a portion of the organic material is converted to gaseous products and soluble products in the anaerobic reactor, followed by separation of a portion of the soluble products from a portion of the anaerobic bacteria, the separated anaerobic bacteria being recycled to the anaerobic reactor, the method comprising:separating the undissolved inorganic material from the organic material, anaerobic bacteria, and dissolved inorganic material after a portion of the organic material in the influent to the anaerobic reactor is converted to gaseous products and soluble products and before a portion of the soluble products are separated from a portion of the anaerobic bacteria; andremoving a portion of the separated undissolved inorganic material from the anaerobic treatment process without removing a significant quantity of the organic material or anaerobic bacteria.