Bacteria growth device, assembly including the same and method associated thereto
A bacteria growth device ( 1 ) for use with bacteria in a substantially liquid medium, the device ( 1 ) comprising at least one strip ( 5 ) having a surface area shaped and sized for receiving bacteria present in the substantially liquid medium and for allowing attachment of said bacteria onto the surface area of the at least one strip ( 5 ) so as to promote growth of the attached bacteria. The substantially liquid medium may be enclosed in a n aerobic environment, in which case the device ( 1 ) is used to promote the growth of aerobic bacteria. Alternatively, the substantially liquid medium may be enclosed in an anaerobic and/or anoxic environment, in which case the device ( 1 ) is used to promote the growth of corresponding anaerobic and/or anoxic bacteria. Also, described are an assembly including the above-mentioned device and the method associated thereto. Typically, these are used for promoting growth of bacteria destined for treating and purifying wastewater effluents which are high in biochemical demand, such as the wastewater discharges of residential and/or industrial septic/wastewater tanks for example.
1. A method for treating a liquid containing impurities, the method comprising the steps of:
a) introducing the liquid containing impurities into a reactor ( 7 );
b) providing a bacteria growth device ( 1 ) in the reactor ( 7 ) of step a), the bacteria growth device ( 1 ) comprising at least one strip ( 5 ) that is self supporting and bundled up so as to form a nest-like and loose configuration, the at least one strip presenting a surface for attachment and growth of bacteria, the nest-like and loose configuration being constructed and arranged so that the nest-like and loose configuration allows for the free circulation of the liquid through the attached growth bacteria, the at least one strip having an irregular form that substantially prevents the nest-like configuration from compacting, wherein the at least one strip is made of a non-toxic and non-biodegradable polymeric material;
c) allowing the bacteria attached onto the surface area of the at least one unbound strip ( 5 ) of the device ( 1 ) to grow and eliminate impurities from the liquid present in the reactor ( 7 ); and
d) evacuating the liquid removed of certain impurities from the reactor ( 7 ).
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein step a) comprises the step of discharging a liquid containing impurities from a septic tank ( 13 ) into the reactor ( 7 ).
3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein step d) further comprises the step of re-circulating the liquid removed of certain impurities back into the septic tank ( 13 ).