Methods and apparatuses for water, wastewater, and waste treatment

Abstract

Described herein are methods and devices for treating water, wastewater, and organic wastes. The methods and devices are mixed by using hydraulic surge mixers. This surge mixer is driven by gas and can provide occasional surges of water using large bubbles which are able to move great volume of liquid while minimizing dissolved oxygen transfer to the surrounding liquid. Use of the devices and processes herein provides a simple, eloquent approach to water and wastewater treatment with less operation and maintenance costs than conventional devices and/or processes. The same surge lifting device can also be installed in other reactors to mix the tank content and enhance reaction with reduced energy use and maintenance needs.

1 .- 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . An apparatus comprising:
 (a) a tank having a feed inlet and an effluent outlet;   (b) a mixing zone that comprises one or more surge mixers having a riser tube, a gas chamber, and a conduit;   (c) wherein said conduit connects an upper location of said gas collection chamber to said riser tube at a location below the top of said conduit and is able to deliver gas from said gas collection chamber to said riser tube;   (d) wherein said one or more surge mixer is able to create periodic surge lifting actions to recycle liquid within said mixing zone.   
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , further comprising a means to supply gas from an outside source to said gas chamber. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein said tank includes a gas outlet installed on the top of said tank. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , further comprising a means to return gas from said gas outlet back to said gas chamber. 
     
     
         27 . An apparatus comprising:
 (a) a tank having a feed inlet and an effluent outlet;   (b) a means for separating said tank to a static zone and a mixing zone;   (c) wherein said mixing zone is in fluid communication with said static zone at the lower portion of said tank;   (d) wherein said mixing zone comprises one or more surge mixers having a riser tube, a gas chamber, and a conduit;   (e) wherein said conduit connects an upper location of said gas collection chamber to said riser tube at a location below the top of said conduit and able to deliver gas from said gas collection chamber to said riser tube;   (f) wherein said one or more surge mixer is able to create periodic surge lifting actions to recycle liquid within said mixing zone.   
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , further comprising a means to supply gas from an outside source to said gas chamber. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein said tank is sealed, with an additional includes a gas outlet installed on the top of said tank. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , further comprising a means to return gas from said gas outlet back to said gas chamber. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , further comprising a means to return settled particles at the bottom of said static zone to said mixing zone. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , further comprising a means to return settled particles at the bottom of said static zone to said mixing zone. 
     
     
         33 . An apparatus comprising:
 (a) a tank having a feed inlet and an effluent outlet;   (b) a mixing zone that comprises one or more surge mixers having a gas chamber;   (c) wherein said gas chamber comprises a sealed top and an open bottom;   (d) wherein said one or more surge mixer is driven by gas generated from the space below said gas chamber within said mixing zone and is able to create periodic surge lifting action to recycle tank content within said mixing zone, without mechanical moving parts.   
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein said tank is sealed, with an additional gas outlet installed on the top of said tank. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , further comprising a means to return gas from said gas outlet back to said gas chamber. 
     
     
         36 . A method of mixing a body of liquid, comprising:
 (a) a body of liquid;   (b) a mixing zone that comprises one or more surge mixer having a riser tube, a gas chamber, and a conduit;   (c) wherein said conduit connects an upper location of said gas collection chamber to said riser tube at a location below the top of said conduit and able to deliver gas from said gas collection chamber to said riser tube;   (d) wherein said one or more surge mixer is able to create periodic surge lifting actions to recycle liquid within said mixing zone.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising a means to supply gas from an outside source to said gas chamber.