Methane production by attached film

Patent · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:863958

Jewell, William J ^[1]

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1. 202 Eastwood Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850

A method for purifying wastewater of biodegradable organics by converting the organics to methane and carbon dioxide gases is disclosed, characterized by the use of an anaerobic attached film expanded bed reactor for the reaction process. Dilute organic waste material is initially seeded with a heterogeneous anaerobic bacteria population including a methane-producing bacteria. The seeded organic waste material is introduced into the bottom of the expanded bed reactor which includes a particulate support media coated with a polysaccharide film. A low-velocity upward flow of the organic waste material is established through the bed during which the attached bacterial film reacts with the organic material to produce methane and carbon dioxide gases, purified water, and a small amount of residual effluent material. The residual effluent material is filtered by the film as it flows upwardly through the reactor bed. In a preferred embodiment, partially treated effluent material is recycled from the top of the bed to the bottom of the bed for further treatment. The methane and carbon dioxide gases are then separated from the residual effluent material and purified water.

• Research Organization: Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-S-02-2981
• Assignee: Jewell; William J. (202 Eastwood Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850)
• Patent Number(s): US 4284508
• OSTI ID: 863958
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

methane
production
attached
film
method
purifying
wastewater
biodegradable
organics
converting
carbon
dioxide
gases
disclosed
characterized
anaerobic
expanded
bed
reactor
reaction
process
dilute
organic
waste
material
initially
seeded
heterogeneous
bacteria
population
including
methane-producing
introduced
bottom
particulate
support
media
coated
polysaccharide
low-velocity
upward
flow
established
bacterial
reacts
produce
purified
water
amount
residual
effluent
filtered
flows
upwardly
preferred
embodiment
partially
treated
recycled
top
treatment
separated
upward flow
dioxide gas
bed reactor
waste material
carbon dioxide
preferred embodiment
organic waste
organic material
reaction process
anaerobic bacteria
methane production
particulate support
producing bacteria
methane product
oxide gases
expanded bed
flows upward
oxide gas
attached film
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