US 11,833,470 B2
Closed-loop biological systems and methods utilizing an onsite non-potable water treatment for odor control irrigation
Colin Bishop, Woodville, TX (US); Michael Busch, Greensboro, NC (US); and M. Sean McGuigan, Hanover, VA (US)
Assigned to Anua International LLC, Greensboro, NC (US)
Filed by Anua International LLC, Greensboro, NC (US)
Filed on Jul. 15, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/376,555.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/051,985, filed on Jul. 15, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0016573 A1, Jan. 20, 2022
Int. Cl. B01D 53/85 (2006.01); C02F 3/04 (2023.01); C02F 1/00 (2023.01); C02F 3/32 (2023.01)
CPC B01D 53/85 (2013.01) [C02F 1/004 (2013.01); C02F 3/04 (2013.01); C02F 3/327 (2013.01); C02F 2201/005 (2013.01); C02F 2301/046 (2013.01); C02F 2303/02 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for treating contaminated air to remove selected compounds using microorganisms in a media bed without use of potable water, comprising:
receiving a contaminated water stream;
treating the contaminated water stream to form a non-potable irrigation water stream containing contaminants at levels below levels harmful to the microorganisms, wherein the non-potable irrigation water stream has contaminant levels of about 5 to 60 ppm TSS, about 10 to 60 ppm total nitrogen with about 2 to 30 ppm in the form of NH3 (ammonia), about 5 to 50 mg/L CBOD5 and about 10 to 100 mg/L COD;
irrigating the media bed and microorganisms with the non-potable irrigation water stream; and
producing a treated air stream by directing a contaminated air stream through the irrigated media bed and microorganisms to remove at least one selected compound from the contaminated air stream;
wherein said treating the contaminated water stream comprises:
passing the contaminated water stream through a water treatment media bed supporting water treatment microorganisms selected to reduce contaminant compounds in the contaminated water stream;
recirculating a portion of the non-potable irrigation water stream back through the water treatment media bed; and
controlling flow of the contaminated water stream and the recirculated portion of non-potable irrigation water stream through the media bed to control the level of contaminant removal;
and wherein said controlling comprises controlling said flows to maintain said contaminant levels in the non-potable irrigation water stream to be at a level beneficial to the microorganisms used in producing the treated air stream.