IP Library Granted Patent US 7,540,960
Granted Patent B2
US 7,540,960 · App. 11/670,894 · Granted Jun 2, 2009

Method and system for inoculating bacteria in contaminated water using earthworm humus

Assignee: Alex Manuel Villagra Fuentes
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,540,960
App. No.
11/670,894
Granted
Jun 2, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system for treating liquids by forming bacteria flora using earthworm humus is disclosed. In some embodiments, the system includes a containment tank for receiving a contaminated liquid distributed through an opening into the tank, the containment tank further including a layer of earthworm humus through which the liquid is filtered, a medium layer for bacteria inoculation below the earthworm humus layer in the containment tank, and an inert layer below the medium layer proximate to the base of the containment tank.

Claims (31)

1. A method for treating contaminated liquid by forming bacteria flora using earthworm humus, comprising:

distributing a contaminated liquid into the superior part of a containment tank;

providing a layer of earthworm humus in the containment tank for filtering the contaminated liquid;

providing a medium layer for bacteria inoculation below the earthworm humus layer in the containment tank; and

providing a layer of an inert material below the medium layer proximate to the base of the containment tank, on which a bacterial layer is formed to continue degrading organic material in the contaminated liquid.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the medium layer comprises a base of cellulose material.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the medium layer comprises sufficient cellulose material to shelter earthworm humus.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the medium layer acts as a medium for bacterial growth and formation of bacterial flora.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the inert material comprises a plurality of stones or rocks.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the inert material comprises plastic.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the medium layer comprises sawdust or wood shavings.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the medium layer is approximately 70 cm in thickness.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the contaminated liquid comprises sewer water.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the contaminated liquid comprises industrial water.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the contaminated liquid comprises liquid waste.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the liquid comprises semi-liquid waste.

13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising generating the earthworm humus by adult earthworms.

14. The method of claim 1 , further comprising generating the earthworm humus by larvae or juvenile earthworms.

15. A system for treating liquids by forming bacteria flora using earthworm humus, comprising:

a containment tank for receiving a contaminated liquid distributed through an opening into the tank, the containment tank further comprising:

a layer of earthworm humus through which the liquid is filtered;

a medium layer for bacteria inoculation below the earthworm humus layer in the containment tank; and

a layer of an inert material below the medium layer proximate to the base of the containment tank, on which a bacterial layer is formed that serves to continue degrading organic material in the contaminated liquid.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the base of the containment tank is formed from an inert material.

17. The system of claim 15 , further comprising an air chamber proximate to the floor of the containment tank, the air chamber being connected to the superior region of the tank by vertical tubes traversing a plurality of layers.

18. The system of claim 17 , further comprising horizontal tubes that are connected to the exterior through the walls of the containment tank.

19. The system of claim 15 , further comprising a layer comprising prefabricated concrete material, stones of different sizes or plastic for allowing an aerobic material and drainage of liquid to the exterior of the tank.

20. The system of claim 15 , comprising combination of adult, juvenile, larvae and earthworm's eggs.

21. The system of claim 15 , wherein the medium layer comprises a base of cellulose material.

22. The system of claim 15 , wherein the tank further comprises an irrigation system for placing the contaminated liquid in contact with the earthworm humus layer.

23. The system of claim 15 , wherein the containment tank is constructed so as to not accumulate liquid.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 10, 2021
From: BIOFILTRO S.P.A.
To: BIOFILTRO USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 056503/0232 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 21, 2014
From: INVERSIONES BIOFILTRO LTDA.
To: BIOFILTRO S.P.A.
Reel/Frame 032009/0028 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 16, 2014
From: INGENIERIA Y CONSTRUCCION BIOFILTRO LIMITADA
To: INVERSIONES BIOFILTRO LTDA.
Reel/Frame 031984/0458 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 14, 2011
From: VILLAGRA FUENTES, ALEX MANUEL
To: INGENIERIA Y CONSTRUCCION BIOFILTRO LIMITADA
Reel/Frame 026124/0335 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 6085509900 · Oct 26, 2006
Related Publication 20080099397A1 · May 1, 2008