US4069156A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sewage treatment system
Assignee: Smith and Loveless Inc
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Filing: 1974-07-05
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Granted: 1978-01-17
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Expires: 1994-07-05
Abstract
Abstract An improved apparatus for purifying a liquor containing biodegradable wastes wherein the liquor is delivered serially to a number of zones. The liquor is first delivered to a clarification zone to remove suspended solids, and is then delivered to an oxidation/nitrification zone where the liquor is subjected to oxidation by aerobic microorganisms. The liquor is next delivered to a denitrification zone, where it is subjected to the action of anaerobic bacteria. Both the oxidation/nitrification zone and the dentrification zone contain a particular type of submerged media which comprises a multiplicity of elements freely and randomly stacked on one another to provide interstitial area therebetween. The elements have a high surface area to volume ratio in order to promote the growth of microorganisms.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald G. Mason
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 10:40
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F3/00; C02F3/02; C02F3/12; C02F3/1236; C02F3/1242; C02F3/1247; C02F3/06; C02F3/28; C02F3/2806; C02F3/30; C02F3/302; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/20; Y02A20/208; Y02W; Y02W10/00; Y02W10/10; Y10; Y10S; Y10S210/00; Y10S210/902; Y10S210/903
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
Improved apparatus for purifying a liquor containing a biodegradable material comprising: means defining a clarification zone; means for delivering said liquor to said clarification zone; means defining an oxidation/nitrification zone; a first bed of media in said oxidation/nitrification zone, said media comprising a multiplicity of submerged elements freely and randomly stacked on one another to provide interstitial area therebetween, said elements having a high surface area to volume ratio; aeration means in said oxidation/nitrification zone for introducing air into said liquor; means for delivering said liquor from said clarification zone to said oxidation/nitrification zone; means for delivering liquor through said first bed of media; means defining a denitrification zone; a second bed of said media in said denitrification zone; means for delivering said liquor through said second bed of media; means for delivering said liquor from said oxidation/nitrification zone to said denitrification zone; means for introducing a nutrient into said second bed of media; and means for withdrawing said liquor from said denitrification zone, said oxidation/nitrification zone, said denitrification zone, and said filter means being positioned around the perimeter of said clarification zone to form a single, compact unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
Improved apparatus for purifying a liquor containing a biodegradable material comprising: means defining a clarification zone; means for delivering said liquor to said clarification zone; means defining an oxidation/nitrification zone; a first bed of media in said oxidation/nitrification zone, said media comprising a multiplicity of submerged elements freely and randomly stacked on one another to provide interstitial area therebetween, said elements having a high surface area to volume ratio; aeration means in said oxidation/nitrification zone for introducing air into said liquor; means for delivering said liquor from said clarification zone to said oxidation/nitrification zone; means for delivering liquor through said first bed of media; means defining a denitrification zone; a second bed of said media in said denitrification zone; means for delivering said liquor through said second bed of media; means for delivering said liquor from said oxidation/nitrification zone to said denitrification zone; means for introducing a nutrient into said second bed of media; and means for withdrawing said liquor from said denitrification zone, said oxidation/nitrification zone, said denitrification zone, and said filter means being positioned around the perimeter of said clarification zone to form a single, compact unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising filter means also positioned at the perimeter of said clarification zone and means for delivering said liquor from said denitrification zone to said filter means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 2 further comprising chlorination means also positioned at the perimeter of said clarification zone and means for delivering said liquor from said filter means to said chlorination means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 2 further comprising a surge tank also positioned at the perimeter of said clarification zone and means for delivering said liquor from said surge tank to said clarification zone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 2 further comprising means defining a sludge digestion zone; aeration means in said sludge digestion zone; and means for delivering sludge from a lower portion of said clarification zone to said sludge digestion zone, said oxidation/nitrification zone, said denitrification zone, said filter means, said surge tank, and said sludge digestion zone being positioned around the perimeter of said clarification zone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
307 words
Improved apparatus for purifying a liquor containing biodegradable material comprising: a surge tank; inlet means for delivering said liquor to said surge tank; a generally cylindrical tank defining a clarification zone; means for delivering said liquor from said surge tank to said clarification zone; means defining an oxidation/nitrification zone; a first bed of media in said oxidation/nitrification zone, said media comprising a multiplicity of submerged elements freely and randomly stacked on one another to provide interstitial area therebetween, said elements having a high surface area to volume ratio; aeration means in said oxidation/nitrification zone for introducing air into said liquor; means for delivering said liquor from said clarification zone to said oxidation/nitrification zone; means for delivering said liquor through said first bed of media; means defining a denitrification zone; means for delivering said liquor from said oxidation/nitrification zone to said denitrification zone; a second bed of said media in said denitrification zone; means for delivering said liquor through said second bed of media; means for introducing a nutrient into said second bed of media; means defining a filtration zone having a filter bed therein; means for delivering said liquor from said denitrification zone to said filtration zone; means for backwashing said filter bed with filtered liquid; means for delivering the effluent from said backwashing to said surge tank; means defining a chlorination zone; means for delivering said liquor that has passed through said filter bed to said chlorination zone; means for chlorinating said liquor in said chlorination zone; means defining a sludge digestion zone; and means for delivering sludge from a lower portion of said clarification zone to said sludge digestion zone; said surge tank, said oxidation/nitrification zone, said denitrification zone, said filtration zone, said chlorination zone, and said sludge digestion zone being positioned around the perimeter of said clarification zone to form a single, compact unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
307 words
Improved apparatus for purifying a liquor containing biodegradable material comprising: a surge tank; inlet means for delivering said liquor to said surge tank; a generally cylindrical tank defining a clarification zone; means for delivering said liquor from said surge tank to said clarification zone; means defining an oxidation/nitrification zone; a first bed of media in said oxidation/nitrification zone, said media comprising a multiplicity of submerged elements freely and randomly stacked on one another to provide interstitial area therebetween, said elements having a high surface area to volume ratio; aeration means in said oxidation/nitrification zone for introducing air into said liquor; means for delivering said liquor from said clarification zone to said oxidation/nitrification zone; means for delivering said liquor through said first bed of media; means defining a denitrification zone; means for delivering said liquor from said oxidation/nitrification zone to said denitrification zone; a second bed of said media in said denitrification zone; means for delivering said liquor through said second bed of media; means for introducing a nutrient into said second bed of media; means defining a filtration zone having a filter bed therein; means for delivering said liquor from said denitrification zone to said filtration zone; means for backwashing said filter bed with filtered liquid; means for delivering the effluent from said backwashing to said surge tank; means defining a chlorination zone; means for delivering said liquor that has passed through said filter bed to said chlorination zone; means for chlorinating said liquor in said chlorination zone; means defining a sludge digestion zone; and means for delivering sludge from a lower portion of said clarification zone to said sludge digestion zone; said surge tank, said oxidation/nitrification zone, said denitrification zone, said filtration zone, said chlorination zone, and said sludge digestion zone being positioned around the perimeter of said clarification zone to form a single, compact unit.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-01-16 | 1981-07-18 | 1982-01-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-16 | 1985-07-18 | 1986-01-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-16 | 1989-07-18 | 1990-01-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |