The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 12, 2013
Filed:
Aug. 31, 2010
Youngseck Hong, Burlington, CA;
Reid Allyn Bayly, Toronto, CA;
Domenico Salasso, Hamilton, CA;
Jeffrey Ronald Cumin, Hamilton, CA;
David Eaton Sproule, Carlisle, CA;
Sheng Chang, Oakville, CA;
Youngseck Hong, Burlington, CA;
Reid Allyn Bayly, Toronto, CA;
Domenico Salasso, Hamilton, CA;
Jeffrey Ronald Cumin, Hamilton, CA;
David Eaton Sproule, Carlisle, CA;
Sheng Chang, Oakville, CA;
Zenon Technology Partnership, Wilmington, DE (US);
Abstract
In an anaerobic membrane bioreactor ('MBR'), a closed anaerobic process tank contains a membrane filter or is connected to an external tank containing a membrane filter. A pocket of biogas accumulates at the top of the process tank. Biogas is taken from the pocket, pumped to the bottom of the membrane filter to provide bubbles to inhibit membrane fouling, and returned to the pocket. Excess biogas produced as the wastewater is degraded is removed from the system and may be used as a product. However, biogas and liquid are maintained in the system at a pressure above atmospheric, for example 10 kPa or more above atmospheric pressure, sufficient to provide at least a material contribution to the transmembrane pressure driving permeation through the membranes. The overall energy requirements of the system may be reduced. Further, with sufficient pressure, suction pumps attached to the membranes may not be required.