Patent ID: 6342159
Filing Date: 2002-01-29
Classification: B01D,B63J,C02F,Y02W

Abstract:
An apparatus for the microbiological remediation of a site contaminated with a biodegradable material comprising:means for removing liquid bilge wastes contaminated with biodegradable materials from both aqueous and non-aqueous phases; a vessel for treating said liquid bilge wastes to cause the biodegradation of said biodegradable materials; means for separating phase-separated hydrocarbon material from aqueous phase material in the bilge compartment; means for collecting said phase-separated hydrocarbon material; means for minimizing emulsification of hydrocarbons in water; means for optimizing separation of hydrocarbons from water, said means comprising a coalescing filter; a microbiological chamber comprising hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms; means comprising a continuously regenerating culture of microorganisms disposed in said microbiological chamber, said culture comprising a film of microorganisms which are fixed to a support media in said microbiological chamber and microorganisms, arising from said film of fixed microorganisms, which slough off said support media and disperse into said aqueous phase material; means for transferring said aqueous phase material to said microbiological chamber; means for ensuring that phase-separated hydrocarbons do not get transferred to said microbiological chamber; means for maintaining a flow of aqueous phase material over the culture of microorganisms; means for introducing gases into said vessel to support the growth of the culture of microorganisms; means for introducing nutrients into said vessel to support the growth of microorganisms; and means for discharging the treated aqueous phase material overboard.