Patent ID: 8101072

Claim:
A contaminant removal system for treating a contaminated influent, the system comprising: a pipe connected to a first treatment section, wherein a first flow comprising the influent enters the first treatment section via the pipe; the first treatment section comprising a tube section, the first treatment section receiving the first flow, dividing the first flow into a second flow and a sludge, and discharging the second flow; a first coagulant inlet positioned upstream of the first section and in fluid communication with the influent to introduce a first coagulant selected to precipitate phosphorus; a second section comprising an adsorption clarifier, the second section receiving the second flow and discharging a third flow; a third section comprising a media filter, the third section receiving the third flow and discharging an effluent; a second coagulant inlet positioned downstream of the first section and upstream of the third section to introduce a second coagulant selected to precipitate phosphorus; a first return line connecting the sludge to the pipe connected to the first treatment section, wherein a portion of the sludge is pumped via the return line to the first flow; and at least one additional return line connecting a position downstream of the first section, to a position upstream of, and in fluid communication with, the first section, wherein a portion of contaminates from the position downstream of the first section is pumped via the additional return line to a position upstream of the first section, and wherein a portion of the contaminates is mixed with the influent, wherein a third coagulant is introduced into the first return line before the portion of sludge is mixed with the influent.