Patent ID: 6309547
Filing Date: 2001-10-30
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 biodegradable organic material, nonbiodegradable organic material, dissolved inorganic material, and undissolved inorganic material, and a portion of the biodegradable 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 nonbiodegradable organic material from the biodegradable organic material, anaerobic bacteria, and dissolved inorganic material after a portion of the biodegradable 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 nonbiodegradable organic material from the anaerobic treatment process without removing a significant quantity of the biodegradable organic material or anaerobic bacteria.