Carl S Hansen

US Patent:

6911149, Jun 28, 2005

Filed:

Dec 18, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/325634

Inventors:

Conly L. Hansen - North Logan UT, US
Carl S. Hansen - Garland UT, US

Assignee:

Utah State University - North Logan UT

International Classification:

C02F003/28

US Classification:

210603, 210608

Abstract:

An induced sludge bed anaerobic reactor includes a vessel in which a septum or other partition is positioned to maintain solids in wastewater being treated toward a lower zone in the reactor. A central aperture is formed in the septum into which a sludge blanket control mechanism, such as an auger, is positioned to force solids to the lower zone of the reactor or, alternatively, pull solids up above the septum so that they can be removed from the vessel, if desired. A mixer may be utilized in connection with the bioreactor to mix the contents and prevent a crust from forming at the top of the bioreactor. Still further, a wall may be positioned to extend above the septum around its perimeter to assist in separating solids from the wastewater. The various types of bacteria used in the anaerobic process may also be separated, according to the present invention, in either a single vessel or multiple vessels so that the conditions of each respective vessel can be altered as desired.

US Patent:

7290669, Nov 6, 2007

Filed:

Oct 27, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/553518

Inventors:

Carl S. Hansen - Garland UT, US
Conly L. Hansen - North Logan UT, US

Assignee:

Utah State University - North Logan UT

International Classification:

C02F 3/28

US Classification:

210525, 210629

Abstract:

An upflow bioreactor includes a vessel having an inlet and an outlet configured for upflow operation. A septum is positioned within the vessel and defines a lower chamber and an upper chamber. The septum includes an aperture that provides fluid communication between the upper chamber and lower chamber. The bioreactor also includes an auger positioned in the aperture of the septum. The vessel includes an opening in the top for receiving the auger. The auger extends from a drive housing, which is position over the opening and provides a seal around the opening. The drive housing is adjustable relative to the vessel. The position of the auger in the aperture can be adjusted by adjusting the drive housing relative to the vessel. The auger adjustment mechanism allows the auger to be accurately positioned within the aperture. The drive housing can also include a fluid to provide an additional seal around the shaft of the auger.

US Patent:

7452467, Nov 18, 2008

Filed:

Nov 10, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/272293

Inventors:

Conly L. Hansen - Logan UT, US
Carl S. Hansen - Garland UT, US
Edward D. Watts - North Logan UT, US
Kevin D. Pack - North Logan UT, US

Assignee:

Andigen, LLC - North Logan UT
Utah State University - North Logan UT

International Classification:

C02F 3/28

US Classification:

210603, 210608, 210188, 210252

Abstract:

An induced sludge bed anaerobic reactor includes a vessel in which a septum or other partition is positioned to maintain solids in wastewater being treated toward a lower zone in the reactor. A gas trap, which may also comprise an overpressure protection device, may be arranged at an outlet of the vessel. A distribution plate may be located at an inlet. A central aperture is formed in the septum into which a plug control mechanism, such as an auger, may be positioned to force solids to the lower zone of the reactor or, alternatively, pull solids up above the septum so that they can be removed from the vessel, if desired. A mixer may be utilized in connection with the bioreactor to mix the contents and prevent a crust from forming at the top of the bioreactor. Still further, a wall may be positioned to extend above the septum around its perimeter to assist in separating solids from the wastewater. The various types of bacteria used in the anaerobic process may also be separated, according to the present invention, in either a single vessel or multiple vessels so that the conditions of each respective vessel can be altered as desired.

US Patent:

7615155, Nov 10, 2009

Filed:

Aug 4, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/185692

Inventors:

Conly L. Hansen - North Logan UT, US
Carl S. Hansen - Garland UT, US
Edward D. Watts - North Logan UT, US
Kevin D. Pack - North Logan UT, US
Jacob Shaun Dustin - Logan UT, US

Assignee:

Utah State University - Logan UT

International Classification:

C02F 11/04
C02F 3/28

US Classification:

210603, 210616

Abstract:

Methods for steady state operation of an upflow anaerobic digester using organic matter that contains a portion of solid, non-digestible matter include (1) providing an upflow anaerobic digester, (2) providing a bacterial culture in the upflow anaerobic digester for the breakdown of organic matter, (3) introducing an influent into the upflow anaerobic digester, wherein the influent comprises a biodegradable component, a liquid component, and an amount of solid non-digestible matter, (4) operating the upflow anaerobic digester in a steady-state, (5) accumulating the solid, non-digestible matter in the upflow anaerobic digester, (6) and removing a portion of the accumulated solid, non-digestible matter from the upflow anaerobic digester through the bottom of the upflow anaerobic digester while maintaining steady-state operation of the upflow anaerobic digester. Steady-state operation of the upflow anaerobic digester is maintained by selecting a percentage of the total volume of the liquid and material that are flushed from the digester for a given period of time so as to preserve the steady-state of the bacterial culture.

US Patent:

7699976, Apr 20, 2010

Filed:

Oct 12, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/548764

Inventors:

Conly L. Hansen - North Logan UT, US
Carl S. Hansen - Garland UT, US
Kevin Pack - North Logan UT, US
John Milligan - North Logan UT, US
Bradley C. Benefiel - Idaho Falls ID, US
C. Wayne Tolman - Rupert ID, US
Kenneth W. Tolman - Rupert ID, US

Assignee:

Utah State University - North Logan UT

International Classification:

C02F 3/28

US Classification:

210 90, 210603

Abstract:

An upflow bioreactor includes a vessel having an inlet and an outlet configured for upflow operation. A septum is positioned within the vessel and defines a lower chamber and an upper chamber. The septum includes an aperture that provides fluid communication between the upper chamber and lower chamber. The bioreactor also includes means for releasing pressure buildup in the lower chamber. In one configuration, the septum includes a releasable portion having an open position and a closed position. The releasable portion is configured to move to the open position in response to pressure buildup in the lower chamber. In the open position fluid communication between the lower chamber and the upper chamber is increased. Alternatively the lower chamber can include a pressure release line that is selectively actuated by pressure buildup. The pressure release mechanism can prevent the bioreactor from plugging and/or prevent catastrophic damage to the bioreactor caused by high pressures.

US Patent:

7727396, Jun 1, 2010

Filed:

Dec 2, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/326710

Inventors:

Conly L. Hansen - North Logan UT, US
Carl S. Hansen - Garland UT, US
Edward D. Watts - North Logan UT, US
Kevin D. Pack - North Logan UT, US
Jacob Shaun Dustin - Logan UT, US
John C. Milligan - North Logan UT, US

Assignee:

Utah State University - Logan UT

International Classification:

C02F 3/28

US Classification:

210603, 210617

Abstract:

An upflow anaerobic reactor includes an effluent outlet configured to direct effluent out of the reactor and a fluid-filled gas trap configured to prevent loss of biogas from the vessel. An auger assembly is operably coupled to the effluent outlet to prevent clogging of the effluent outlet by solid matter that tends to collect in the effluent outlet. The auger assembly includes at least one helical screw conveyor that rotates so as to remove solid material that collects in the effluent outlet. auger assembly can be operated on a continuous or semi-continuous basis so as to allow for continuous operation of the reactor. The auger assembly can be operated on a continuous or semi-continuous basis so as to allow for continuous operation of the reactor.

US Patent:

20050230308, Oct 20, 2005

Filed:

Jun 17, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/155283

Inventors:

Conly Hansen - North Logan UT, US
Carl Hansen - Garland UT, US

International Classification:

C02F003/28

US Classification:

210603000, 210209000

Abstract:

An induced sludge bed anaerobic reactor includes a vessel in which a septum or other partition is positioned to maintain solids in wastewater being treated toward a lower zone in the reactor. A central aperture is formed in the septum into which a sludge blanket control mechanism, such as an auger, is positioned to force solids to the lower zone of the reactor or, alternatively, pull solids up above the septum so that they can be removed from the vessel, if desired. A mixer may be utilized in connection with the bioreactor to mix the contents and prevent a crust from forming at the top of the bioreactor. Still further, a wall may be positioned to extend above the septum around its perimeter to assist in separating solids from the wastewater. The various types of bacteria used in the anaerobic process may also be separated, according to the present invention, in either a single vessel or multiple vessels so that the conditions of each respective vessel can be altered as desired.