US 11,787,715 B2
Apparatus and method for recycling blackwater and greywater at oil and gas well sites
Justin Vance Moulton, Victor, ID (US); and Hal D. Hingson, Carlsbad, NM (US)
Assigned to STALLION OILFIELD SERVICES LTD., Houston, TX (US)
Filed by STALLION OILFIELD SERVICES LTD., Houston, TX (US)
Filed on Jan. 14, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/576,129.
Application 17/576,129 is a continuation of application No. 16/879,250, filed on May 20, 2020, granted, now 11,225,425.
Application 16/879,250 is a continuation of application No. 16/007,495, filed on Jun. 13, 2018, granted, now 10,669,177, issued on Jun. 2, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/519,692, filed on Jun. 14, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2022/0135457 A1, May 5, 2022
Int. Cl. C02F 3/20 (2023.01); C02F 9/00 (2023.01); B01D 21/24 (2006.01); B01D 21/02 (2006.01); C02F 1/00 (2023.01); C02F 1/76 (2023.01); C02F 103/00 (2006.01); C02F 1/32 (2023.01)
CPC C02F 3/20 (2013.01) [B01D 21/02 (2013.01); B01D 21/2444 (2013.01); C02F 9/00 (2013.01); C02F 1/004 (2013.01); C02F 1/32 (2013.01); C02F 1/76 (2013.01); C02F 2001/007 (2013.01); C02F 2103/002 (2013.01); C02F 2103/005 (2013.01); C02F 2203/006 (2013.01); C02F 2203/008 (2013.01); C02F 2303/04 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A bioreactor for a water treatment system, the bioreactor comprising:
a tank configured to receive an influent liquid;
a separator structure positioned in the tank, the separator structure having a frustoconical shape and defining a lower opening proximal to or at a bottom of the separator structure, wherein an interior of the separator structure is in communication with the tank, external to the separator structure, at least via the opening;
an aeration vent positioned proximal to a bottom of the tank and configured to direct air into the tank, but not directly into the interior of the separator structure;
an air line connected to the aeration vent;
an effluent outlet communicating with the interior of the separator structure, proximal to a top of the separator structure, wherein a relatively clean effluent liquid, in comparison to the influent liquid, exits from the separator structure via the effluent outlet; and
a stand having a base configured to receive the separator structure, wherein the stand is supported on the bottom of the tank, wherein the base of the stand is polygonal in shape and has a maximum cross-sectional dimension that is smaller than a maximum diameter of the separator structure, such that the separator structure is configured to be seated into the stand.