Abstract:
A system for controlling at least one prescribed fluid level in a biological reactor for treating wastewater or portion thereof, the system comprising at least one effluent assembly having an effluent screen; at least one sensor configured for monitoring a fluid level; at least one sparge apparatus configured for providing matter in a prescribed manner to the at least one effluent assembly; at least one matter source configured for providing matter; at least one control point configured for regulating said matter movement; and at least one controller. A kit comprising at least a controller and a sensor. A regulatory system configured for regulating the system.

Description:
[0001]    The present invention is directed towards a physical system for controlling at least one prescribed fluid level in a biological reactor for treating wastewater or portion thereof, a computer system for accomplishing the same, and a kit for assembling the components appropriate for controlling at least one prescribed fluid level in an existing biological reactor or portion thereof. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Wastewater treatment is driven by the desire to renovate wastewater before it re-enters a body of water, is applied to the land, is reused, or any combination of the preceding to prevent pollution of lakes, rivers, and/or streams. An abundance of organics, which act as food for a growth biology, and/or an abundance of nutrients, which feed microorganisms or growth biology, in soil, lakes, rivers, and/or streams will support growth biology. The growth biology is then able to consume available oxygen to, in effect, suffocate wildlife normally found in the lakes, rivers, and/or streams. Wastewater treatment seeks to reduce this food (organics) and/or these nutrients prior to the water being discharged such that the available oxygen in lakes, rivers, and/or streams will be at levels that support wildlife. Also, wastewater treatment seeks to disinfect (usually with chlorine, UV or ozone) to prevent the spread of human pathogens (typically virus and bacteria). 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    Aspects of embodiments and embodiments of the present invention provide, without limitation, a system for regulating the prescribed fluid level in a biological reactor of a wastewater treatment facility or portion thereof. 
         [0004]    Aspects of embodiments and embodiments of the present invention meet these and other needs by providing, without limitation, (a) a system for controlling at least one prescribed fluid level within a portion of a biological reactor and/or a biological reactor, (b) regulation system for regulating the flow of matter to at least one sparge apparatus in a portion of a biological reactor and/or a biological reactor, (c) a kit configured for use at a wastewater treatment facility including a portion of a biological reactor and/or a biological reactor, (d) associated processes, (e) associated machines, and/or (f) associated manufactures. The system may include at least one of any one of an effluent assembly, a sensor, a sparge apparatus, a matter source, a control point, and a controller. The regulation system may include at least one of any one of a sensor component and a controller component. The kit may include at least one of any one of a conduit, control point, and an effluent assembly. 
         [0005]    In some aspects of embodiments and embodiments relating to (a) through (f), the at least one effluent assembly may be configured to substantially determine the at least one prescribed fluid level. To that end, the at least one effluent assembly may include an effluent screen configured to permit the passage of effluent from a portion of the biological reactor and/or the biological reactor. Examples of effluent screen, without limitation, include a wedgewire screen, a round wire screen, a perforated mesh screen, an expanded metal screen, or any combination thereof. Additionally or alternatively, such effluent screen may be configured for substantial exclusion of one or more media and passage of effluent from a portion of the biological reactor and/or the biological reactor and through the effluent screen. 
         [0006]    In some aspects of embodiments and embodiments to (a) through (f), the biological reactor, without limitation, includes any one of a tank, basin, lagoon, or any combination of the preceding. Such enumerated items, without limitation, may be found at any one of a municipal wastewater treatment facility, an industrial wastewater treatment facility, a commercial wastewater treatment facility, a ship wastewater treatment facility, an agricultural wastewater treatment facility, or any combination thereof. 
         [0007]    In some aspects of embodiments and embodiments to (a) through (f), of the system may further include one or more media configured to support growth biology. Examples of one or more media, without limitation, may include one or more media configured for substantial exclusion of the one or more media by an effluent screen a while at the same time permitting the passage of the effluent from a portion of the biological reactor and/or the biological reactor and through the effluent screen. 
         [0008]    In some aspects of embodiments and embodiments relating to (a) through (f), the at least one sensor may be configured to monitor a fluid level within a portion of the biological reactor and/or the biological reactor. Examples of the at least one sensor, without limitation, include any one of a float sensor, ultrasonic sensor, a differential pressure sensor, a capacitance sensor, other fluid level sensing devices or any combination thereof. In some aspects, monitored fluid level data may be communicated to the at least one controller. 
         [0009]    The functions of the various elements of the at least one sensor discussed above would, in aspects of embodiments and/or embodiments, be implemented by one or more elements either alone or in combination with one or more programmed processors, one or more digital signal processing (DSP) chips, or the like rather than individual hardware elements. Thus, in the claims hereof any element expressed as a means for performing a specified function is intended to encompass any way of performing that function including, for example:
       (a) a combination of electrical elements which perform that function, or   (b) a combination of mechanical elements which perform that function, or   (c) a combination of optical elements which perform that function, or   (d) a combination of magnetic elements which perform that function, or   (e) software in any form (including, therefore, firmware, microcode or the like) combined with appropriate circuitry for executing that software to perform the function, or   (f) a combination of elements from any one of (a) through (e) which perform that function.
 
Thus it will be appreciated that applicants regard any elements capable of performing particular functions recited in the claims as being equivalent to those disclosed herein.
       
 
         [0016]    In some aspects of embodiments and embodiments relating to (a) through (f), the at least one sparge apparatus may be configured for providing matter in a prescribed manner to the at least one effluent assembly. An example of the at least one sparge apparatus, without limitation, includes a bubble generator, such as, without limitation, any one of a large bubble generator, a fine bubble generator, or any combination thereof. Examples of the location of the sparge apparatus, without limitation, include (i) in-line with and below the effluent assembly, (ii) inside the effluent assembly, or (iii) combinations thereof. In other aspects of embodiments and embodiments, the at least one sparge apparatus system may further include any one of: (iv) at least one conduit configured for a movement of matter therethrough; (v) at least one opening configured for a movement of matter therethrough and release therefrom; (vi) the at least one conduit configured for communication with the at least one matter source; and/or, (vii) the at least one opening is located on said conduit. 
         [0017]    In any of the forgoing two aspects of embodiments and embodiments, the at least one opening may be configured to direct the matter in any one direction in 360° of the at least one conduit. Additionally or alternatively, a distance between the at least one opening and the at least one effluent assembly may be between about zero and about three-quarters of the depth of a portion of a biological reactor and/or a biological reactor. Additionally, at least one additional opening may be configured to direct the matter in a direction different from the direction that the at least one opening directs the matter. 
         [0018]    In some aspects of embodiments and embodiments relating to (a) through (f), the at least one matter source may be configured for providing matter to be communicated to the at least one sparge apparatus. Examples of forms of matter that the at least one matter source may be configured to provide, without limitation, include any one of a gas, a liquid, a foam, or any combination thereof. Examples of a gas, without limitation, include any one of atmospheric air, methane, nitrogen, one or more commercially available gasses, or any combination thereof. Examples of a liquid, without limitation, include a fluid from a portion of the biological reactor and/or the biological reactor. 
         [0019]    In some aspects of embodiments and embodiments relating to (a) through (f), the at least one control point may be configured for regulating a movement of matter to the sparge apparatus. Examples of the at least control point, without limitation, include any one of a valve, pump, or any combination thereof. For example, the control point may be, without limitation, a solenoid valve, gate valve, needle valve, ball valve, butterfly valve, or any combination thereof. 
         [0020]    In some aspects of embodiments and embodiments relating to (a) through (f), the at least one controller may be configured to communicate with any one of the at least one sensor, the at least one sparge apparatus, the at least one matter source, the at least one control point, or any combination thereof. To that end, in an aspect, the at least one controller may be configured to communicate with the at least one sensor and the at least one control point. In another aspect, the at least one controller may be configured to regulate a movement of matter to the at least one sparge apparatus at predetermined times. In yet another aspect, the at least one controller may be configured to regulate the movement of matter to the at least one sparge apparatus when the at least one controller receives a predetermined value or parameter value from the at least one sensor. In an additional or alternative example, the at least one controller may be configured to incrementally regulate the movement of matter to the at least one sparge apparatus when said controller receives a predetermined parameter from said at least one sensor and/or at predetermined times. In another additional or alternative example, the at least one controller may be configured to regulate the movement of matter to the at least one control point when the at least one controller receives predetermined parameters from said at least one sensor by and/or at predetermined times. Such regulated movement of matter, without limitation, may occur by any one of causing the at least one control point to (i) either fully constrict or fully release, (ii) either incrementally constrict or incrementally restrict, or (iii) any combination thereof. Examples of the at least controller, without limitation, include any one of a mechanical controller, a manually operated controller, a programmable logic controller, an electromechanical controller, an electronic controller, a pneumatic controller, or any combination of any of the preceding. 
         [0021]    Accordingly, some aspects of embodiments and embodiments of present invention provide a system for controlling at least one prescribed fluid level within a portion of a biological reactor and/or a biological reactor, each configured for treating wastewater. The system may include at least one of any one of an effluent assembly, a sensor, a sparge apparatus, a matter source, a control point, and a controller. The at least one effluent assembly is configured to substantially determine the at least one prescribed fluid level. To that end, the at least one effluent assembly may include an effluent screen configured to permit the passage of effluent from a portion of the biological reactor and/or the biological reactor. The at least one sensor may be configured to monitor a fluid level within a portion of the biological reactor and/or the biological reactor. The at least one sparge apparatus may be configured for providing matter in a prescribed manner to the at least one effluent assembly. The at least one matter source may be configured for providing matter to be communicated to the at least one sparge apparatus. The at least one control point may be configured for regulating a movement of matter to the sparge apparatus. The at least one controller may be configured to communicate with any one of the at least one sensor, the at least one sparge apparatus, the at least one matter source, the at least one control point, or any combination thereof. 
         [0022]    Other aspects of embodiments and embodiments of present invention provide a regulation system for regulating the flow of matter to at least one sparge apparatus in a portion of a biological reactor and/or a biological reactor, each configured for treating wastewater. The regulation system may include at least one of any one of a sensor component and a controller component. The at least one sensor component may be configured to measure a fluid level in a portion of the biological reactor and/or the biological reactor. The at least one controller component may be configured to compare the measured fluid level to predetermined value and/or value ranges and then may be configured to accordingly regulate the flow of matter to at least one sparge apparatus. 
         [0023]    Still other aspects of embodiments and embodiments of present invention provide a kit configured for use at a wastewater treatment facility including a portion of a biological reactor and/or a biological reactor. The kit may include at least one of any one of a conduit, control point, and an effluent assembly. The at least one conduit may include at least one opening. The at least one opening may be configured to be capable of being arranged to direct matter in any one pre-selected direction. Also, the at least one conduit may be configured to be capable of being affixed (a) in-line and below the at least one effluent assembly, (b) inside of the at least one effluent assembly, or (c) any combination thereof. The least one control point may be configured to be capable of being arranged so as to be in communication with the at least one conduit. The at least one effluent assembly may include at least one effluent screen. Also, the at least one effluent assembly may be configured to be capable of being associated with an effluent penetration point. 
         [0024]    Numerous other aspects of embodiments, embodiments, features, and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. In the description and/or the accompanying drawings, reference is made to exemplary aspects of embodiments and/or embodiments of the invention which can be applied individually or combined in any way with each other. Such aspects of embodiments and/or embodiments do not represent the full scope of the invention. Reference should therefore be made to the claims herein for interpreting the full scope of the invention. In the interest of brevity and conciseness, any ranges of values set forth in this specification contemplate all values within the range and are to be construed as support for claims reciting any sub-ranges having endpoints which are real number values within the specified range in question. By way of a hypothetical illustrative example, a disclosure in this specification of a range of from 1 to 5 shall be considered to support claims to any of the following ranges:  1 - 5 ;  1 - 4 ;  1 - 3 ;  1 - 2 ;  2 - 5 ;  2 - 4 ;  2 - 3 ;  3 - 5 ;  3 - 4 ; and  4 - 5 . Also in the interest of brevity and conciseness, it is to be understood that such terms as “is,” “are,” “includes,” “having,” “comprises,” and the like are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms and yet may encompass the terms “comprises,” “consists essentially of,” “consists of,” and the like as is appropriate. 
         [0025]    These and other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a system according to aspects of embodiments of the invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating a system according to aspects of embodiments of the invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of aspects of embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating a kit according to aspects of embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of aspects of embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view aspects of embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of aspects of embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 7B  is a perspective view of aspects of embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 7C  is a perspective view of aspects of embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 8A  is a decision diagram describing the operation of a computer system according to an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 8B  is a decision diagram describing the operation of a computer system according to an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 8C  is a decision diagram describing the operation of a computer system according to an aspect of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0038]    In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views. Also in the following description, it is to be understood that such terms as “forward,” “rearward,” “left,” “right,” “upwardly,” “downwardly,” and the like are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms. 
         [0039]    While typical aspects of embodiment and/or embodiments have been set forth for the purpose of illustration, the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings should not be deemed to be a limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, various modifications, adaptations, and alternatives may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It should be understood that all such modifications and improvements have been deleted herein for the sake of conciseness and readability but are properly within the scope of aspects of embodiments of the present invention. Numerous other aspects of embodiments, embodiments, features, and advantages of the present invention will appear from the description and the accompanying drawings. In the description and/or the accompanying drawings, reference is made to exemplary aspects of embodiments and/or embodiments of the invention, which can be applied individually or combined in any way with each other. 
         [0040]    The present invention is a system for regulating the fluid level in a biological reactor or portion thereof. Applicants contemplates that the present invention may be used with any biological reactor or portion thereof found within a wastewater treatment system. Wastewater treatment systems include, but are not limited to, municipal wastewater treatment facilities, industrial wastewater treatment facilities, commercial wastewater treatment facilities, ship wastewater treatment facilities, agricultural wastewater treatment facilities, or any combination of any of the preceding. A biological reactor may be any one of a tank, a basin, a lagoon, or any combination of any of the preceding. Also, a biological reactor may be any one of covered, uncovered, aerated, not aerated; have natural mixing, induced mixing, or any combination of any of the preceding. 
         [0041]    Turning now to the Figures. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , it is contemplated that a biological reactor  12  may be partitioned into portions  16  by one or more controlled reaction volume module(s), one or more stages, or any other means for separating an area of the biological reactor  12  from the remainder of the biological reactor  12 . Controlled reaction volume modules may be placed, positioned, or supported in a biological reactor  12  by a variety of mechanisms including any one of floats, side of reactor attachments/supports, bottom of reactor attachments/supports, or any combination of any of the preceding. Stages may be created by a variety of mechanisms including any one of walls, screens, pumps, or any combination of any of the preceding. 
         [0042]    It is contemplated that the effluent or fluid within the biological reactor  12  or portions  16  thereof will flow into the biological reactor  12  or portions  16  thereof from one area, such as  90 , and flow out of the biological reactor  12  or portions  16  thereof into another area, such as  91 , into the biological reactor  12  or portions  16  thereof, or into an area such as  90  where the effluent will then flow into the biological reactor  12  or portions  16  thereof. 
         [0043]    Biological reactors  12  or portions  16  thereof may include a number of media  14  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Biological reactors  12  or portions  16  thereof may additionally include mixing devices  28 . Mixing devices  28  facilitate the mixing and/or aeration within a biological reactor  12  or portion  16  thereof with or without additional mixing and/or operation functionality from other components found within the biological reactor  12  or portion  16  thereof. The mixing devices  28  may be individual units or multiple units and may be manifolded-together systems that may incorporate control valving to allow for controlled operation on an independent or group basis. Examples of such mixing devices  28  include, but are not limited to, mechanical mixers, air diffusers, gas phase mixers, or any combination thereof. 
         [0044]    The system may be controlled by a controller  40 . Examples of a suitable controller  40  include, but are not limited to, any one of a mechanical controller, a controller operated manually, an electromechanical controller, an electronic controller, a pneumatic controller, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), time controllers, or any combination of any of the preceding. A controller  40  may be integrated into a main and/or sub plant controller with or without a local panel. In this manner, an integration of the control of the operation of a biological reactor  12  or portions  16  thereof into the main and/or sub plant controller may be accomplished. 
         [0045]    The system may include an effluent assembly  42  which substantially determines the fluid level of the biological reactor  12  or portion  16  thereof. The effluent assembly  42  may be associated with an effluent penetration point  52  such that the effluent or fluid within the biological reactor  12  or portion  16  thereof exits through the effluent penetration point  52  via the effluent assembly  42 . The movement of effluent through the effluent assembly  42  and the effluent penetration point  52  substantially determines the level of the fluid in the biological reactor  12  or portion  16  thereof (the “fluid level”  80 ). 
         [0046]    The fluid level  80  may rise or fall depending on many different factors within the wastewater treatment system operator&#39;s control, such as pumping, and outside his or her control, such as rain. Generally, the operator will prefer the fluid level  80  to be at or about a certain level, the prescribed level, for various reasons such as efficiency. The prescribed level can be a range and/or can change depending on the needs or desires of the operator and/or the wastewater treatment system. The effluent assembly  42  comprises at least one effluent screen  60  as shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 A,  7 B and  7 C sized so as to facilitate retention of the number of media  14  within the biological reactor  12  or portion  16  thereof and/or to impede the movement of solids with the effluent through the effluent penetration point  52 . Such effluent screen  60  may be sized with openings smaller than the smallest dimension of a media  14  or other such size as appropriate to impede the movement of solids through the effluent penetration point  52  with the effluent. For example, an opening of the screen may be about two-thirds of the smallest dimension of a media  14 . 
         [0047]    The Applicants contemplate that examples of such effluent screens  60  include, without limitation, grating, expanded metal, hexagonal netting, perforated mesh screen, square mesh, wedgewire screen, welded wire mesh, wire mesh fence, woven, other screens known to one having ordinary skill in the art upon consideration of the present teachings, or any combination thereof. Such effluent screens  60  may be made of any type of material adapted to withstand a wastewater treatment system, specifically an anaerobic, anoxic, oxic, aerobic, or any combination of systems, wastewater treatment system, without degrading and/or corroding substantially. Examples include, but are not limited to, metallic materials such as stainless steels, durimet alloys, titanium, titanium alloys, carbon steel, aluminum, or other metals known to one skilled in the art upon consideration of the present teachings; polymers including without limitation, polyvinyls such as polyvinyl chloride, polyolefins such as polyethylene and/or polypropylene, fluoropolymers such as polyvinylidene fluoride or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyester, or other polymers known to one skilled in the art upon consideration of the present teachings; other materials adapted to withstand a wastewater treatment system, specifically an anaerobic, anoxic, aerobic, or any combination of systems wastewater treatment system, without degrading and/or corroding substantially known to one skilled in the art upon consideration of the present teachings; a composite of at least two of the preceding; or any combination of any of the preceding. 
         [0048]    The effluent assembly  42  may be formed in many different configurations including, but not limited to, T-assemblies in which the effluent screens  60  extend perpendicular to that portion of the effluent assembly  42  associated with an effluent penetration point  52  as seen in  FIG. 3 , L-assemblies in which the effluent screens  60  extend perpendicularly in one direction from that portion of the effluent assembly  42  associated with an effluent penetration point  52  as seen in  FIG. 6 , horizontal assemblies in which the effluent screens  60  are associated horizontally with an effluent penetration point  52  as seen in  FIGS. 2 ,  5 , and  7 C, vertical-up assemblies in which the effluent screens  60  are associated parallely with and extend parallel to an effluent penetration point  52  towards the top of the biological reactor  12  or portion  16  thereof, as seen in  FIG. 7B , vertical-down assemblies in which the effluent screens  60  are associated parallely with and extend parallel to an effluent penetration point  52  towards the bottom of the biological reactor  12  or portion  16  thereof (not shown), box assemblies in which the effluent screens  60  are associated with an effluent penetration point  52  to form a box which encloses or partially encloses an effluent penetration point  52  as seen in  FIG. 7A , any of the above configurations where the effluent screens  60  further have an inclination angle of less than 90° or less than or greater than 180° dependent on the original orientation of the effluent screens  60 , such as horizontal) (180° in the case of the T-assemblies, L-assemblies, horizontal assemblies, and vertical) (90° such as the vertical-up assemblies, vertical-down assemblies, and the like, or any combination of the preceding. 
         [0049]    The system also may include a sparge apparatus  48 . The sparge apparatus  48  may be a bubble generator such as, but not limited to, a large bubble generator, a fine bubble generator, or any combination thereof. A bubble generator breaks a given volume of matter, for example, gas, liquid, or foam, into bubbles sized according to the surface tension of the orifices, baffles, perforations, or other structures known to one having ordinary skill in the art upon consideration of the present teachings, through which the matter passes. The bubble sizes are generally categorized as “large,” sometimes termed “coarse;” or “small,” sometimes termed “fine,” depending on the diameter of the bubbles. The largest diameter bubbles are “large” or “coarse” and the smallest diameter bubbles are “small” or “fine.” Generally, small or fine bubbles have a diameter less than or about 5 mm while large or coarse bubbles have a diameter greater than or about 5 mm. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,639,314). 
         [0050]    The sparge apparatus  48  may include a conduit  62  through which matter, for example, gas, liquid, or foam, moves. The conduit  62  may be in communication with a matter source  50  from or through which matter flows to the conduit  62 . The conduit  62  may be any fixture through which matter may move, including, but not limited to, tubing, piping, or other such structure to direct the movement of matter from the matter source  50  to and through the sparge apparatus  48 . It is contemplated that the conduit  62  may be any geometric shape. It is further contemplated that the conduit  62  may be produced from any material which would not interfere with the movement of the matter and/or be adapted to withstand a wastewater treatment system without degrading and/or corroding substantially. Examples of such materials include, but are not limited to, metallic materials such as stainless steels, durimet alloys, titanium, titanium alloys, carbon steel, aluminum, or other metals known to one skilled in the art upon consideration of the present teachings; polymers including without limitation, polyvinyls such as polyvinyl chloride, polyolefins such as polyethylene and/or polypropylene, fluoropolymers such as polyvinylidene fluoride or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyester, or other polymers known to one skilled in the art upon consideration of the present teachings; any other material adapted to withstand a wastewater treatment system, specifically an anaerobic, anoxic, aerobic, or any combination of systems wastewater treatment system, without degrading and/or corroding substantially known to one skilled in the art upon consideration of the present teachings; a composite of at least two of the preceding; or any combination of any of the preceding. 
         [0051]    An opening  64  or a series of openings  64  may be located on the conduit  62 . The matter may pass or be released through such openings  64 . The openings  64  may be located on the conduit  62  in such a manner that the matter being released may be released in any direction within 360° of the conduit  62 . A series of openings  64  may be located on the conduit  62  in such a manner that the matter is released in directions different from one another on the same conduit  62 . The location of the opening  64  or openings  64  in relation to the effluent assembly  42  may be anywhere between about three-quarters (¾) of the depth of the biological reactor  12  or portion  16  thereof and directly adjacent to the effluent screen  60  or any portion of the effluent assembly  42 . In one aspect of an embodiment of the current invention, the opening  64  at the farthest point on the conduit  62  in one direction may be larger than the preceding openings  64  to allow any media  14 , effluent, or other material caught in the conduit  62  to be discharged. 
         [0052]    In an aspect of an embodiment of the current invention as shown in  FIG. 3 , the sparge apparatus  48  may be located in-line with the effluent assembly  42  and below the effluent assembly  42 . In an aspect of an embodiment of the current invention as shown in  FIGS. 7A ,  7 B, and  7 C, the sparge apparatus  48  may be located inside the effluent assembly  42  such that any media  14  or other solid material is contained on the opposite side of the effluent screen  60  from the effluent penetration point  52 . In an aspect of an embodiment of the current invention, the sparge apparatus  48  may comprise sections located both inside the effluent assembly  42  and outside the effluent assembly  42  (not shown). In an aspect of an embodiment of the current invention as shown in  FIGS. 7A ,  7 B, and  7 C, the sparge apparatus  48  may be located outside the effluent assembly  42  (not shown). In the above aspects, the position of the sparge apparatus  48  in relation to the effluent assembly  42  may be such that a significant portion of the matter being released from the opening  64  or openings  64  of the sparge apparatus  48  will make contact with the effluent screen  60 . 
         [0053]    The system may include a matter source  50 . The matter source  50  may be any device or structure for the holding and/or regulating of the matter used in the system. Matter found in the matter source  50  may be in a liquid or gas phase, in a phase transition between liquid and gas, in the form of foam, or any combination thereof. The matter may be lighter than the fluid in the biological reactor  12  or portion  16  thereof or have other characteristics which allow the matter to move towards the surface of the biological reactor  12  or portion  16  thereof once released from the opening  64  or openings  64 . Examples of gas matter include, but are not limited to, atmospheric air, methane, nitrogen, commercially available gasses, or any combination thereof. Such gasses may be carbon dioxide, oxygen, any gas known to one having ordinary skill in the art upon consideration of the present teachings or combinations thereof. Examples of liquid matter include, but are not limited to, effluent from the biologic reactor  12  or portion  16  thereof, any fluid known to one having ordinary skill in the art, upon consideration of the present teachings, which would move towards the surface of the biological reactor  12  or portion  16  thereof once released from the openings  64 , or any combination thereof. 
         [0054]    The system may include a control point  46 . The control point  46  may be constricted or released to allow different volumes of the matter to move through the control point  46 . For example, a fully constricted control point  46  will not allow any matter to move past the control point  46  while a fully released control point  46  will allow the amount of matter that can pass through the control point  46  to pass through the control point  46 . It is contemplated that the control point  46  may be a device that can either constrict and release fully or can constrict and release incrementally between and including full constriction and full release. Examples of control point  46  devices include, but are not limited to, valves such as solenoid, gate, needle, ball, and butterfly valves; pumps; other devices known to one having skill in the art upon consideration of the present teachings; and combinations thereof. 
         [0055]    The system may include one or more sensors  44 . It is contemplated the sensor  44  or sensors  44  will recognize the fluid level  80  at the point of the sensor  44  location. Many different types of sensors  44  may be suitable for this task. Examples of suitable sensors  44  include, but are not limited to, float sensors, ultrasonic sensors, differential pressure sensors, capacitance sensors, and other fluid level sensors being mechanically or electrically connected to the controller  40 . It is contemplated that the sensors  44  may additionally monitor other characteristics of the fluid or effluent. Sensors  44  may monitor growth biology, nutrients and/or nutrient concentration, organics, other characteristics know to one having skill in the art upon consideration of the present teachings, or combinations of any of the preceding. The sensors  44  may communicate the fluid level  80  data and/or some other data associated with the fluid to the controller  40 . 
         [0056]    In a wastewater treatment system there is a possibility that the effluent screens  60  through which the effluent passes may become blocked by either the media  14  located in the biological reactor  12  or portion  16  thereof, growth biology or microorganisms, or other impediments to the flow of the effluent. When or how this blockage occurs is not predictable. The present invention uses a system of a controller  40  regulating the fluid level  80  to compensate for possible blockage of the effluent screens  60 . The current system may regulate the fluid level  80  by regulating a control point  46 , the control point  46  being connected to at least one sparge apparatus  48 , wherein the control point  46  regulates either gradually or fully the movement of the matter from a matter source  50  through the control point  46  to the sparge apparatus  48 . The matter in the form of liquid, foam, gas or any combination thereof may then be released through the openings  64  located in proximity to the effluent screen  60  or portion of the effluent assembly  42  such that a portion of the matter makes contact with a portion of the effluent assembly  42 . It is contemplated that a series of sparge apparatuses  48  may be connected to a controller  40 . It is further contemplated that each effluent assembly  42  may be associated with a sparge apparatus  48  though there may be systems where the effluent assemblies  42  are selectively associated with a sparge apparatus  48  such that every effluent assembly  42  is not associated with a sparge apparatus  48 . The controller  40  may be connected to all sparge apparatuses  48  in the biological reactor  12  or portions  16  thereof or to pre-selected sparge apparatuses  48  located in the biological reactor  12  or portions  16  thereof. The regulation of the control point  46  may be triggered by a variety of different sensors  44  within the biological reactor  12  or portion  16  thereof. When the sensor  44  communicates a predetermined parameter or range of parameters, the controller  40  may open or close the control point  46  as described above; may regulate the flow of matter from the matter source  50 ; may regulate the flow of matter through the sparge apparatus  42  via the conduit  62 , the openings  64 , or a combination thereof; or may act on the system in some other way to regulate the matter movement to or through the sparge apparatus  42 . It is contemplated that there may be at least one controller  40 , effluent assembly  42 , and sparge apparatus  48  in every biological reactor  12  or portion  16  thereof. It is also contemplated that the controller  40  may be connected to all of the sparge apparatuses  48  in a biological reactor  12  or portion  16  thereof or only to pre-selected sparge apparatuses  48  located in the biological reactor  12  or portion  16  thereof. It is contemplated that the controller  40  may control the control point  46  as described above in such a manner that matter only moves to pre-selected, individual sparge apparatuses  48 , pairs of sparge apparatuses  48 , sets of sparge apparatuses  48 , or combinations of sparge apparatuses  48 . However, the number and placement of sparge apparatuses  48  may be determined by the wastewater treatment system operator. 
         [0057]    In an aspect of an embodiment of the current invention as shown in  FIG. 1 , a controller  40 , in conjunction with a sparge apparatus  48 , effluent apparatus  42 , sensor  44 , and control point  46 , is configured to regulate the fluid level  80 . The controller  40  may communicate with the sparge apparatus  48 , the control point  46 , sensors  44 , effluent assembly  42 , or any combination thereof to regulate the fluid level  80 . The controller  40  may be in communication with at least one sensor  44  and at least one control point  46  to regulate the fluid level  80 . The controller  40  may be in communication with a matter source  50  and at least one sensor  44  to regulate the fluid level  80 . 
         [0058]    In another embodiment of the invention, the sparge apparatus  48 , and sensor  44 , including all appropriate connectors as shown in  FIG. 4 , and controller  40  (not shown), are fitted to a current waste water treatment system. In such an embodiment, the controller  40  may be integrated into the main and/or sub plant controller, may be an individual unit not integrated into the main and/or sub plant controller, may be a series of controllers of which one or more are integrated into the main and/or sub plant controller and one or more are not integrated into the main and/or sub plant controller, or any combination thereof. 
         [0059]    In another embodiment of the invention, the controller  40  compares fluid level  80  data from a sensor  44  or from a group of sensors  44  to predetermined data points. The controller  40  may open, close, partially open, or partially close the control point  46  or series of control points  46  according to the result of the comparison of the received fluid level  80  data and the predetermined data points. The process is presented schematically in  FIGS. 8A ,  8 B, and  8 C. 
         [0060]    Turning now to  FIGS. 8A ,  8 B, and  8 C.  FIG. 8A  depicts a computer program schematic for regulating the movement of matter through the system. At point  100 , the controller  40  receives the fluid level  80  data from the sensor  44 . The controller  40  then compares the fluid level  80  data to predetermined data points at point  201 . If the data is within the predetermined data point range (a “Yes” determination), the controller  40  determines at point  400  whether the control point  46  is open (a “Yes” determination). If the control point  46  is open, the controller  44  determines at point  401  if the control point  46  is fully open. If the control point  46  is fully open, the controller  40  partially closes the control point  46  at point D. If the control point  46  is not fully open, or if the control point  46  is not open at all, the controller  40  orders the control point  46  to close or to stay closed as the case may be at point C. If the fluid level  80  data is not within the predetermined range at point  201 , the controller  40  may determine whether the fluid level  80  data is within a larger or smaller predetermined data range at point  202 . At point  203 , the controller  40  may open the control point  46  completely, or open the control point  46  incrementally, depicted by points A and B respectively depending on whether the fluid level  80  data is within a larger, or smaller, or different predetermined data range. It is contemplated that the controller  40  may only have one predetermined data range, in which case the controller  40  may be programmed to either open the control point  46  fully or incrementally at point  201  if the fluid level  80  data is not within the predetermined range. It is further contemplated that the controller  40  may have different predetermined data ranges, in which case the controller  40  may be programmed to compare the fluid level  80  data to all the ranges before regulating the control point  46  accordingly. It is further contemplated that the controller  40  may be receiving fluid level  80  data from several different locations within the biological reactor  12  or from different stages or portions  16  of the biological reactor  12  such as individual stages or controlled volume modules. In such an embodiment, the controller  40  may be able to compare the fluid level  80  data amongst the different locations of the biological reactor  12  or portions  16  thereof. It is further contemplated that the controller  40  may be regulating other elements of the system in addition to or instead of the control point  46 , such as, but not limited to, the matter source  50  and/or the sparge apparatus  48  in the same manner as the movement of matter is regulated above. As shown in  FIG. 8B , a separate controller  40  may be running the same process as depicted in  FIG. 8A  such that separate sensors  44  are communicating fluid level  80  data to a separate controller  40 . In one embodiment of the invention, several different sensors  44  are communicating fluid level  80  data to one controller  40  as depicted in  FIG. 8C . At points  100  and  100 ′, in  FIG. 8C , the controller  40  is comparing the fluid level  80  data from separate sensors  44 . At point  300 , the controller  40  determines whether the difference between the fluid level  80  data communicated by separate sensors  44  is within a predetermined parameter or range of data. The comparison made by the controller  40  may be of the ratio of the fluid level  80  data, a strict comparison of the fluid level  80  data such that the data is not manipulated in any way, a comparison of the fluid level  80  data where the data has been manipulated by different formula manipulating the data as determined by the system operator, any other comparison known to one having a skill in the art upon consideration of the present teachings, or any combination thereof. If the fluid level  80  data comparison is within the predetermined data range, the controller  40  will not regulate the movement of matter. If the fluid level  80  data comparison is outside of the predetermined data range (a “Yes” determination), the controller  40  may determine which fluid level  80  data is higher at point  301 . The fluid level  80  data which is higher, or otherwise outside of the predetermined range, will then be the biological reactor  12  or portion  16  thereof, which is acted upon by the controller  40  as indicated by points E and F. In the example depicted in  FIG. 8C , at point  301 , the controller  40  may determine whether the fluid level  80  data from point  100 ′ is higher than the fluid level  80  data at point  100 . If the fluid level  80  data at point  100 ′ is higher than the fluid level  80  data at point  100 , the controller  40  will regulate the fluid level  80  of the stage from which the data at point  100 ′ came from, as depicted by point E. If the fluid level  80  from  100 ′ is not higher, the controller  40  will then act to regulate the fluid level  80  coming from point  100 , depicted by F. It is contemplated that in such an embodiment, the program may be such that the comparison of the different fluid level  80  data will take precedent, or otherwise override, the actions of the controller  40  on the biological reactor  12  or portion  16  thereof as depicted in  FIGS. 8A and 8B . Applicants contemplate that the program may be such that the actions of the controller  40  as depicted in  FIGS. 8A and 8B  may take precedent or override, the composition of the different fluid level  80  data as depicted in  FIG. 8C . 
         [0061]    In another embodiment of the current invention, the controller  40  may be on a timer. The timer may trigger the controller  40  to regulate matter movement at predetermined times. To accomplish this regulation, the controller  40  may open, close, partially open, or partially close the control point  46  or series of control points  46 ; may regulate the flow of matter from the matter source  50 ; may regulate the flow of matter through the sparge apparatus  48  via some action on the conduit  62 , some action on the openings  64 , or a combination thereof; or may act on the system in some other way to regulate the matter movement. It is contemplated that the controller  40  may be on a timer and controlled by a program or programs as described above. It is further contemplated that a system may comprise several controllers  40 , some of which are on a timer, others of which are being controlled by a program or programs as described above, and/or others of which are both on a timer and controlled by a program or programs as described above. 
         [0062]    Wastewater treatment processes require careful management to ensure the protection of the water body that receives the discharge. Trained and certified treatment plant operators engaged in such management, upon consideration of the present teachings as described above, would have an understanding of how to adapt the invention to different systems such as: 
         [0063]    Fixed Film Systems: Fixed film systems grow microorganisms on substrates such as rocks, sand, or plastic. The wastewater is spread over the substrate, allowing the wastewater to flow past the film of microorganisms fixed to the substrate. As organic matter and nutrients are absorbed from the wastewater, the film of microorganisms grows and thickens. Trickling filters, rotating biological contactors, and sand filters are examples of fixed film systems. 
         [0064]    Suspended Film Growth Systems: Suspended film growth systems stir and suspend microorganisms in wastewater. As the microorganisms absorb organic matter and nutrients from the wastewater, they grow in size and number. After the microorganisms have been suspended in the wastewater for several hours, they are settled out as sludge. Some of the sludge is pumped back into the incoming wastewater to provide “seed” microorganisms. The remainder is wasted and sent on to a sludge treatment process. Activated sludge, extended aeration, oxidation ditch, and sequential batch reactor systems are all examples of suspended film systems. 
         [0065]    Lagoon Systems: Lagoon systems are normally large, relatively shallow basins that hold the wastewater for a few days to several months to allow for the natural degradation of sewage. These systems may be aerated artificially or take advantage of natural aeration and microorganisms in the wastewater to renovate sewage. 
         [0066]    Integrated Fixed-Film/Activated Sludge (IFAS) System: IFAS systems combine suspended microorganisms with fixed microorganisms. A media of the present invention may be used as a carrier for the fixed microorganisms&#39; portion of an IFAS systems. 
         [0067]    Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the foregoing description. All such modifications and improvements of the present invention have been deleted herein for the sake of conciseness and readability. 
         [0068]    Numerous other aspects of embodiments, embodiments, features, and advantages of the present invention will appear from the description and the accompanying drawings. In the description and/or the accompanying drawings, reference is made to exemplary aspects of embodiments and/or embodiments of the invention, which can be applied individually or combined in any way with each other. Such aspects of embodiments and/or embodiments do not represent the full scope of the invention. Reference should therefore be made to the claims herein for interpreting the full scope of the invention.