Abstract:
A waste treatment method includes the concentration of selected strains of bacteria in a selected medium in the presence of nutrients and water, under aerobic conditions. This concentrated batch is discharged for downstream applications in wastewater remediation. A cultivation chamber having inlet ports and a circular vent port allows for adequate air introduction and heat release. Aeration is achieved by recirculation of the fluid medium from the top of the apparatus through a pipe that runs the length of the inner wall and is specially configured at the top to minimize cell damage. Fluid can be routed tangentially in clockwise and counterclockwise directions. The conical bottom has an orifice allowing for recirculation of the fluid medium tangentially to the sidewalls. Upon completion of the batch cultivation, the medium and bacteria are discharged for downstream applications in wastewater remediation of paper mill, chemical plant, oil refinery, and other industrial effluents.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/261,883, filed Oct. 30, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,052,873, which is a nonprovisional application of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/984,228, Oct. 31, 2007, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/984,228, filed Oct. 31, 2007, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable 
     REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
     Not applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to bioremediation and to an improved method and apparatus for bacterial cultivation, preferably for growth of substrate specific micro-organisms that are then used in industrial wastewater remediation. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for cultivating strains of bacteria in various medium (e.g. nutrients and water), under aerobic conditions and thereafter discharging the combination of concentrated bacteria and medium downstream to a reservoir that contains wastewater to be treated. The aeration and circulation of fluids is designed to limit cells shearing and damage yet achieve critical cell mass (between about 1×10 7  and 1×10 12  cfu (colony forming units) per milliliter and dissolved oxygen levels during cultivation. Critical cell mass is the minimum number of bacterial cells per milliliter required to achieve effective bioremediation. 
     2. General Background of the Invention 
     The remediation of industrial wastewater has in the past employed various bacteria. One application where this desired remediation is particularly useful is in the pulp and paper industry. The pulp and paper industry in the United States is one of the largest fully integrated industries in the world. Each year, mills in every part of the country produce millions of tons of paper and paper products for domestic and foreign use. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates the total value of shipments from the pulp and paper industry as close to $135 billion, as much as the petroleum refining industry. 
     Pulp and paper manufacturing involves a series of steps, each producing one or more characteristic wastes. A typical pulp and paper mill discharges from 25,000 to over 100,000 liters of wastewater for each air-dried ton of pulp produced. While the wastewater is discharged into the environment only after it has received on-site treatment, it still contains contaminant substances and residual organic solids. Mills discharging liquid waste into rivers and coastal waters are required, pursuant to the Waste Management Act, to obtain site-specific effluent discharge permits. Because of the potential for fines and the possibility of temporary or permanent closure, maintenance of the wastewater treatment is of great importance to owners and operators within the industry. The following tables summarize the typical processes and associated contaminants with paper manufacturing. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Typical Paper Industry Operations: 
               
               
                 Materials Used and Hazardous Wastes that Might be Generated 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Process/ 
                   
                 General Types of 
               
               
                 Operation 
                 Materials Used 
                 Waste Generated 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Chemical 
                 Acids/alkalies, lime, 
                 Acid/alkaline waste 
               
               
                 Pulping 
                 sulfurous acid, sodium 
                   
               
               
                   
                 hydroxide, sodium 
                   
               
               
                   
                 sulfide 
                   
               
               
                 Bleaching 
                 Chlorine bleaches, 
                 Toxic wastewater 
               
               
                   
                 sulfate bleaches, 
                 and wastewater 
               
               
                   
                 chloroform, solvents 
                 treatment sludge, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Acid/alkaline waste 
               
               
                 Papermaking 
                 Pigments 
                 Wastewater 
               
               
                   
                   
                 treatment sludge 
               
               
                 Sizing and 
                 Waxes, glues, synthetic 
                 Toxic waste, 
               
               
                 Starching 
                 resins, hydrocarbons 
                 including 
               
               
                   
                   
                 wastewaters and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 sludges 
               
               
                 Coating, 
                 Inks, paints, solvents 
                 Solvent waste, ink 
               
               
                 Coloring, and 
                 rubbers, dyes 
                 waste, paint waste, 
               
               
                 Dyeing 
                   
                 ignitable waste, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 toxic waste 
               
               
                 Cleaning and 
                 Tetrachloroethylene, 
                 Solvent waste, 
               
               
                 Degreasing 
                 Trichloroethylene, 
                 toxic rinse water 
               
               
                   
                 methylene chloride, 
                   
               
               
                   
                 trichloroethane, carbon 
                   
               
               
                   
                 tetrachloride 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Paper Industry Waste Descriptions 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Waste Type 
                 Designations/Trade Names 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Spent Solvents 
                 Other Toxic or Ignitable Wastes 
               
               
                 Carbon 
                 Carbon Tetrachloride, Carbon Tet, 
               
               
                 Tetrachloride 
                 Tetrachloromethane 
               
               
                 Methylene Chloride 
                 Methylene Chloride, Dichloromethane 
               
               
                 Tetrachloroethylene 
                 Tetrachloroethylene, Perchloroethylene, 
               
               
                   
                 PCE 
               
               
                 1,1,1- 
                 1,1,1-Trichloroethane, 1,1,1-TCA 
               
               
                 Trichloroethane 
                   
               
               
                 Trichloroethylene 
                 Trichloroethylene, TCE 
               
               
                 Chloroform 
                 Chloroform 
               
               
                 Benzene 
                   
               
               
                 Ethylene Dichlonde 
                 Ethylene Dichloride, 1,2-Dichloroethane 
               
               
                 Chlorobenzene 
                 Chlorobenzene, Monmhlombenzene, Phenyl 
               
               
                   
                 Chloride 
               
               
                 Methyl Ethyl 
                 Methyl Ethyl Ketone, Methyl Acetone, 
               
               
                 Ketone- 
                 Meetco, But@one, Ethyl Methyl Ketone, 
               
               
                   
                 MEK, 2-Benzene 
               
               
                 Mixed Spent 
                 Halogenated Solvents 
               
               
                 Petroleum 
                 Petroleum Distillates 
               
               
                 Distillates 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Waste Type 
                 Hazard Clan 
                 UN/NAID Number 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Waste Carbon 
                 ORM-A 
                 UN1846 
               
               
                 Tetrachloride 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Waste 
                 ORM-A 
                 UN1593 
               
               
                 Dichloromethane 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Waste 
                 ORM-A 
                 UN1897 
               
               
                 Tetrachloroethylene 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Waste 1,1,1- 
                 ORM-A 
                 UN2831 
               
               
                 Trichloroethane 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Waste 
                 ORM-A 
                 UN1710 
               
               
                 Trichloroethylene 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Waste Chloroform 
                 ORM-A 
                 UN1888 
               
               
                 Waste Benzene 
                 Flammable 
                 UN1114 
               
               
                 (Benzol) 
                 Liquid 2 
                   
               
               
                 Waste Ethylene 
                 Flammable 
                 UN1184 
               
               
                 Dichloride 
                 Liquid 
                   
               
               
                 Waste Chlorobenzene 
                 Flammable 
                 UN1134 
               
               
                   
                 Liquid 
                   
               
               
                 Waste Methyl Ethyl 
                 Flammable 
                 UN1193 
               
               
                 Ketone 
                 Liquid 
                   
               
               
                 Hazardous Waste: 
                 ORM-E 
                 NA9199 
               
               
                 Liquid, NOS 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Waste Petroleum 
                 Flammable 
                 UN1268 
               
               
                 Distillate 
                 Liquid 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Combustible 
                 UN1268 
               
               
                   
                 Liquid 4 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Designations 
                 Trade Names 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Corrosive Wastes 
                   
               
               
                 Ammonium Hydroxide 
                 Ammonium Hydroxide, Aqueous Ammonia, 
               
               
                   
                 Ammonia Water, Spirit of Hartshom 
               
               
                 Hydrobromic Acid 
                 Hydrobromic Acid 
               
               
                 Hydrochloric Acid 
                 Hydrochlonc Acid, Muriatic Acid 
               
               
                 Hydrofluoric Acid 
                 Hydrofluoric Acid 
               
               
                 Nitric Acid 
                 Nitric Acid, Aquafortis 
               
               
                 Phosphoric Acid 
                 Phosphoric Acid, Orthophosphoric Acid 
               
               
                 Potassium Hydroxide 
                 Potassium Hydroxide, Caustic Potash 
               
               
                 Sodium Hydroxide 
                 Sodium Hydroxide 
               
               
                 Sulfuric Acid 
                 Sulfuric Acid, Oil of Vitriol 
               
               
                 Other Wastes and 
                 General Classifications 
               
               
                 Paint Waste with 
                 Corrosive Liquid; Corrosive Solid; 
               
               
                 Heavy metals 
                 Ignitable Wastes, NOS; Hazardous Wastes, 
               
               
                   
                 NOS 
               
               
                 Paint Waste with 
                 Corrosive Liquids; Corrosive Solids; 
               
               
                 Heavy Metals 
                 Ignitable Wastes, NOS 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Within the industry, bacteria and their enzymes, along with some fungi and critical nutrient additives, have proven to be effective agents for in-situ remediation of organic wastes and subsurface pollution in soils, sediments and wastewaters associated with these processes. Effective management of a microbiological population can provide both short-term or long-term effluent improvements meeting tightening environmental restrictions, while minimizing capital expenses. 
     Environmental professionals are expected to “do more with less” by squeezing every ounce of performance out of the wastewater treatment system. In some cases, the quality or quantity of influent to the system has changed so much that the treatment system&#39;s design is no longer adequate to achieve the desired results. In other cases, the treatment system&#39;s capabilities have deteriorated while effluent requirements have become more stringent. In either case, innovative approaches may be necessary to allow the mill to simultaneously meet its environmental requirements, while also realizing its financial goals. Traditional waste treatment control strategies have focused on monitoring and controlling system parameters. Bioaugmentation involves applying biological additives to enhance the performance of secondary or biological wastewater treatment systems, focusing on managing the bacterial population (i.e. the work force) of the system. 
     In order to optimize the performance of the microbiological population, a comprehensive approach must be used to manage the system. Understanding how mill upsets and operational problems affect the microbiological population is critical to optimizing the wastewater treatment plant. Bioaugmentation has been practiced since the early 1960s. Given a history that includes misapplication of additives and poor documentation of results, the technology has come to be regarded as less than scientific in some circles. In many cases, rather than actively managing the treatment system through bioaugmentation, mills have adopted the widespread belief that over time, the proper microbes will populate the system and become acclimated to its influent. This belief assumes that the indigenous population, which is introduced via routes such as windblown solids, rainwater, and the plant influent stream, will always contain the organisms that are best suited for the service. In reality, even though the natural population may develop into an acceptable one, there may be performance limitations that only can be overcome by the introduction of additional microorganisms. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A waste treatment method includes the concentration of selected strains of bacteria in a selected medium in the presence of nutrients and water under aerobic conditions. This concentrated batch is thereafter discharged for downstream applications in wastewater remediation. The present invention employs a cultivation chamber having inlet ports and a circular vent port that allows for adequate air introduction and heat release. 
     Aeration is achieved by recirculation of the fluid medium from the top of the apparatus through a pipe that runs the length of the inner wall and is specially configured at the top to minimize cell damage. Fluid can be routed tangentially in both the clockwise and counterclockwise directions within the chamber. The conical bottom also has an orifice allowing for recirculation of the fluid medium tangentially to the sidewalls. Upon completion of batch cultivation, the medium and bacteria are discharged for downstream applications in wastewater remediation of paper mill, chemical plant, oil refinery, and other industrial effluents. The aeration and circulation of the fluids is designed to limit cell shearing and damage yet achieve critical cell mass (above 10 7 , e.g. between about 10 7  and 10 11  per milliliter(ml)), more particularly between 10 8  and 10 10  per milliliter(ml). Omotoa; dissolved oxygen levels are probably e.g. between about 0.5 and 100 mg/L prior to cultivation. The amount of dissolved oxygen drops as the cells respire and divide. In the preferred embodiment the dissolved oxygen uptake rate (DOUR) is preferably above 10 mg/liter/hr, e.g. between about 50 and 1500 mg/liter/hr. Typically the DOUR will be between 10 mg/liter/hr and 450 mg/liter/hr during logarithmic growth. 
     The present invention includes a method of wastewater remediation of a volume of wastewater stored in a reservoir, comprising the steps of providing a vessel having an interior holding a volume of nutrient liquid medium, adding a volume of bacteria to the nutrient liquid medium, and repeating this step within 12-72 hours, providing a fluid transfer system that is in fluid communication with the vessel, the transfer system including an influent flow line, a pump and an effluent flow line, and repeating this step within 12-72 hours, for a first time interval, recirculating the combination of nutrient liquid medium and bacteria through a flow path that begins within the vessel interior and flows from the vessel via the effluent flow line to the pump, returning to the vessel interior via the influent flow line, during which first time interval the bacteria concentration increases to a concentration of between about 107 to 1010 cfu (colony forming units) per milliliter (ml), after the first time interval, transmitting a volume of the combination of nutrient liquid medium and bacteria to the reservoir, and repeating this step within 12-72 hours. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is another elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, taken along lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a top fragmentary view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing the addition of water to the growth chamber; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing the addition of a bacteria/medium to the growth chamber; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the recirculation steps; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating a transmission of the recirculated bacteria, medium and water mixture to a reservoir of wastewater that is to be treated; 
         FIG. 9  is a fragmentary view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention taken along lines  9 - 9  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a graph indicating microbial counts over time in hours for the chamber part of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, wherein the chamber is filled with a nutrient blend that includes molasses in one example and a nutrient blend that includes methanol in another example; 
         FIG. 11  is a graph indicating microbial counts over time in hours for the chamber part of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, wherein the chamber is filled with a blend of nutrients and bacteria and wherein the results were obtained using a commercially available autoanalyzer; 
         FIG. 12  is a graph indicating a test that was conducted to evaluate a commercially available autoanalyzer, comparing the data of  FIG. 11  with the data of  FIG. 12  obtained using both a plate count agar media and a tryptic soy agar media; 
         FIG. 13  is a graph indicating temperature and degree Celsius over time in hours for different mixtures of bacteria and nutrients; 
         FIG. 14  is a graph indicating ph over time in hours for the chamber for different microorganism and nutrient mixtures; 
         FIG. 15  is a graph indicating dissolved oxygen uptake over time in hours for the chamber part of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention wherein the chamber is filled with a nutrient and microorganisms; 
         FIG. 16  is a graph indicating dissolved oxygen uptake rate over time in hours for different microorganism and nutrient mixtures; 
         FIG. 17  is a graph indicating a percentage of BOD 5  removal over time in months for a paper mill aerated stabilization basin before and after implementation of the method and apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  is a graph indicating BOD 5  inlet and BOD 5  outlet for an aerated stabilization basin over time in months; 
         FIG. 19  is a graph illustrating BOD 5  over time in months for an aerated stabilization basin; 
         FIG. 20  is a graph indicating Effluent BOD 5  in pounds over time in months for a recycled paper mill and illustrating a reduction BOD 5  using the method and apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 21  is a graph indicating bacteria counts over time in months for remediation of a paper mill with an aerated stabilization basin; 
         FIG. 22  is a graph indicating COD and BOD 5  removal over time in months for remediation of a paper mill with an aerated stabilization basin; 
         FIG. 23  is a graph indicating soluble COD over time in months for the method and apparatus of the present invention applied to a paper product waste stream; 
         FIG. 24  is a graph indicating microbial count over time for the paper product waste system of  FIG. 23 ; and 
         FIG. 25  is a graph indicating percent soluble COD removed over time for paper product waste stream of  FIG. 23 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The term “bioremediation” as used herein refers to any process of cleaning, removing, reducing, or decreasing an amount of a waste material, contaminant, pollutant, or environmentally unsafe component from matter by enhancement of a natural population of microorganisms or by adding developed microbial cultures. 
     The term B.O.D. as used herein refers to biochemical oxygen demand, which is a measurement of how much oxygen is needed from the environment. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  show waste treatment apparatus  10  which includes a growth chamber  11  having an upper end portion  12  and a lower end portion  13 . Upper end portion  12  of growth chamber  11  provides a top  14  having an opening  15  that can be fitted with cover  27 . Growth chamber  11  can include a cylindrically shaped section  16  and a conically shaped section  17 . The growth chamber  11  thus provides a sidewall  18  that has an inside surface  19  surrounding an interior  20  that contains water, bacteria and medium for feeding the bacteria. 
     Outlet port  21  communicates with discharge piping  22 , which piping  22  communicates with pump  23 . A filter  24  can be placed in discharge piping  22  in between outlet port  21  and pump  23 . Base  25  can provide legs  26  that support growth chamber  11 . Pump  23  can be attached (for example, bolted) to base  25 . Flow line  31  is an influent flow line that enables water from water supply  29  to be added to the interior  20  of growth chamber  11 . Flow line  31  can be provided with valve  30  for enabling a control of influent water. Flow line  31  attaches to growth chamber  11  at inlet opening  33 . Inlet opening  33  can be provided with a discharge fitting  32  such as a perforated pipe that provides some aeration of water that is transmitted via flow line  31  to interior  20  of growth chamber  11 . Water is added via flow line  31  to chamber  11  until the water reaches a selected fluid or water level  28 . 
     Pump discharge flow line  34  communicates between pump  23  and tee fitting  36 . Flow rate in line  34  is typically between about 55 and 90 gallons per minute. The flow line  34  and tee  36  are connected to riser  37  and influent fitting  38 . In  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 , the influent fitting  38  connects via pipe section  39  to tee fitting  40 . Arrows  41 ,  42 , and  43  in  FIG. 4  illustrate that recirculating fluid (a combination of water, medium and bacteria) exit tee fitting  40  in two directions as illustrated by arrows  42 ,  43 . This action prevents any substantial vortex formation which might shear or damage the bacteria. Tee fitting  40  provides aeration and circulation of the fluid which includes bacteria, medium and water while limiting cell shearing and damage, yet at the same time achieving a critical cell mass and high dissolved oxygen level during cultivation. 
     The cultivation is performed by recirculating fluid using pump  23  via flow lines  34 ,  36  with return to pump  23  via outlet port  21  and discharge piping  22 . This recirculation is preferably conducted for several hours (typically more than 4-6 hours, preferably between about 6 hours and 72 hours, more specifically between about 8 and 24 hours. 
     During this time, the recirculation and aeration in combination with a growth medium produces exponential growth of bacteria within the interior  20  of growth chamber  11  (see Microbial Count in  FIG. 10 ). After a selected time period, valve  47  is opened so that the combination of water, growth medium and bacteria can be discharged via flow line  46  to discharge  48  and into reservoir  45  in the direction of arrow  49  as shown in  FIG. 8 . This discharge can be via gravity flow through flow lines  22 ,  46 . Alternatively, the mixture  50  of bacteria, water and medium can be transmitted to flow line  46  using pump  23 , wherein valves  35 ,  47  are opened. 
     EXAMPLES 
     Example 1 
     In the first example shown in  FIG. 10  (Molasses) the chamber  11  was filled with 85 gallons of water, 500 ml of pure molasses, 80 ml of a nutrient blend of nitrogen and phosphorus, commercially available from Environmental Business Specialists, Inc (www.ebsbiowizard.com), and 320 ml of LiquiStar EE (microbe blend including various strains of  bacillius  and commercially available from Environmental Business Specialists, Inc (www.ebsbiowizard.com)). In the second example shown in  FIG. 10  (Methanol) the chamber  11  was filled with 85 gallons of water, 250 ml MEOH, 80 ml of a blend of nitrogen and phosphorus—commercially available from Environmental Business Specialists, Inc (www.ebsbiowizard.com) and 250 ml of MicroStar L1 (microbe blend including various strains of  bacillus ). In both cases critical cell mass was achieved before 24 hours. For the molasses experiment the maximum microbial count achieved using the IME kool kount autoanalyzer was 1.85×10 9  at the 10 hour time point. For the methanol experiment, the maximum microbial count achieved at the 16 hour time point was 1×10 9 . In both cases the logarithmic microbial growth achieved is more than adequate for downstream remediation of industrial wastes. 
     Example 2 
     In the example shown in  FIG. 11  the chamber  11  was filled with 5 lbs MicroStar (a blend of various strains of bacteria including  bacillius  and  pseudomonas  together in a dry blend (e.g. brewer&#39;s or distiller&#39;s grain as a carrier) commercially available from Environmental Business Specialists, Inc (www.ebsbiowizard.com)) and 85 gallons of water. These data are an average of various experiments conducted using the MicroStar microbial augmentation product. These counts were achieved using the commercially available IME kool kount autoanalyzer (www.imeinc.com). The test was ran at two hour increments beginning at time 2 hrs and ending at time 24 hrs. On average the 2 hr counts were approximately 2e 7  at experiment initiation, with logarithmic growth beginning between about 4 and 5 hours and lasting to between about 24 and 26 hours. The average microbial count achieved using this product was between about 9e 9  and 1e 10  The average time to achieve this cell mass is between about 12 and 36 hours, more specifically 8 and 24 hours. 
     Example 3 
     In the example shown in  FIG. 12  a test was conducted to evaluate the IME kool kount analyzer against the heterotrophic plate count method including both PCA (plate count agar) media and TSA (tryptic soy agar) media. These tests were conducted over a 24 hour period with sampling every 2 hours beginning at 2 hr time point. For the evaluation using PCA, the lag phase lasted approximately 6 hours with logarithmic growth lasting approximately 14 hours starting between about 6 and 7 hours and ending between about 18 and 20 hours. The maximum microbial count utilizing the PCA media was 1e 10 . For the evaluation using TSA media, the lag phase lasted approximately 6 hours followed by logarithmic growth lasting approximately 15 hours starting between about 6 and 7 hours and ending between about 18 and 22 hours. The maximum microbial count utilizing the PCA media was 2.2e 10 . 
     These various evaluations of the biogenerator have proven that this system of growing up various strains of bacteria in a liquid or dry formulation give concentrations of microbes that, when released for downstream application, are in densities that enable bioremediation of various industrial wastes. 
     This system also allows for the effective heat release thus allowing the temperature to stay well within the preferred ranges of the microorganisms implemented (e.g. between about ambient and 40 degrees C.) (see  FIG. 13 ). The pH is also well maintained throughout the exponential growth phase allowing for optimal growth conditions (e.g. pH between about 4 and 9, more particularly between about 6.5 and 8.5) (see  FIG. 14 ). These evaluations also show that the aeration in this design is adequate, as indicated by the Dissolved Oxygen uptake rate (see  FIG. 15 ). The Dissolved Oxygen Uptake Rate during logarithmic growth (between about 50 and 200) is most impressive when compared to the prior art (see  FIG. 16 ). Dissolved oxygen uptake rates are indicative of microbial growth. As the population of microbes increases, so does the Dissolved Oxygen Uptake Rate. 
     In the example of  FIGS. 17-19 , the test data is for an Aerated Stabilization Basin (ASB) that became nonfunctional in 2006-2007 due to excessive solids buildup and inversion of solids. The method and apparatus of the present invention were implemented to maximize and optimize performance of the Aerated Stabilization Basin under current limitations including limited aeration and loss of retention time due to solid buildup. To accelerate biological reduction of solids inventory in the Aerated Stabilization Basis, five (5) pounds per day of bacteria was applied via the apparatus  10  of the present invention as shown and described in  FIGS. 1-9 . These data depict an increase in the percent of BOD 5  removal after implementation of the method and apparatus of the present invention beginning in August, 2007. All solid straight lines depict data gaps. 
     In  FIG. 18 , the same Aerated Stabilization Basin as treated by apparatus  10  of the present invention shows BOD 5  inlet and BOD 5  outlet values. These values demonstrate that there is a significant decrease in the outlet BOD 5  when compared to the inlet BOD 5 . 
       FIG. 19  shows final results as respect to final effluent BOD 5  for the same Aerated Stabilization Basin that was treated as described with respect to  FIGS. 17 and 18 .  FIG. 19  illustrates stabilization of BOD 5  for basin  4 .  FIG. 21  depicts the microbial counts (cfu/ml) achieved in two bacterial acceleration chambers  11 . 
     In  FIGS. 20-22 , test results are directed to the waste treatment and remediation at a recycle paper mill that discharges to the local POTW treatment. This local POTW treatment has been unable to meet BOD 5  permanent restrictions. Bioaugmentation was implemented using the method and apparatus of the present invention resulting in compliance with BOD 5  permanent restrictions for nine consecutive months.  FIG. 22  illustrates removal of both BOD 5  and COD from the wastewater basin. 
       FIG. 23  is a case study for a paper products/chemical company that provides products to the paper industry. The method and apparatus of the present invention were added to the treatment system in place on or about October, 2007 date. The apparatus  10  of the present invention was effective in growing bacteria to maximum yield, enabling a reduction in COD and BOD 5 . 
       FIG. 24  illustrates the microbial count (cfu/ml) achieved.  FIG. 25  illustrates the percent COD removal from the wastewater basin. 
     The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 PARTS LIST 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Part Number 
                 Description 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 10 
                 waste treatment apparatus 
               
               
                 11 
                 growth chamber 
               
               
                 12 
                 upper end portion 
               
               
                 13 
                 lower end portion 
               
               
                 14 
                 top 
               
               
                 15 
                 opening 
               
               
                 16 
                 cylindrical section 
               
               
                 17 
                 conical section 
               
               
                 18 
                 side wall 
               
               
                 19 
                 inside surface 
               
               
                 20 
                 interior 
               
               
                 21 
                 outlet port 
               
               
                 22 
                 discharge piping 
               
               
                 23 
                 pump 
               
               
                 24 
                 filter 
               
               
                 25 
                 base 
               
               
                 26 
                 leg 
               
               
                 27 
                 cover 
               
               
                 28 
                 fluid level/water level 
               
               
                 29 
                 water supply 
               
               
                 30 
                 valve 
               
               
                 31 
                 flow line 
               
               
                 32 
                 discharge fitting 
               
               
                 33 
                 inlet opening 
               
               
                 34 
                 pump discharge flow line 
               
               
                 35 
                 check valve 
               
               
                 36 
                 tee fitting 
               
               
                 37 
                 riser 
               
               
                 38 
                 influent fitting 
               
               
                 39 
                 pipe section 
               
               
                 40 
                 tee fitting 
               
               
                 41 
                 arrow 
               
               
                 42 
                 arrow 
               
               
                 43 
                 arrow 
               
               
                 45 
                 wastewater reservoir 
               
               
                 46 
                 flow line 
               
               
                 47 
                 valve 
               
               
                 48 
                 discharge 
               
               
                 49 
                 arrow 
               
               
                 50 
                 mixture 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise. 
     The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.