DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claims 1, 3-6, 9-11, 13-16, 19-20 and 22 are finally rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yan et al. (CN 105481092, the passages cited below refer to the machine-generated English translation provided in the previous office action) in view of Peng et al. (CN 108545830, the passages cited below refer to the machine-generated English translation provided with the instant office action).
Per claim 1, Yan et al. disclose a wastewater treatment system (abstract, The invention claims a sewage processing device and control method for automatic control by monitoring N2O connected through the internal reflux circulating pump and a pipeline between the anoxic treatment tank and the aerobic treatment pool;) comprising:
a basin (defining elements 3, 4, 5; Fig. 1) configured to subject wastewater to an activated sludge-based biological treatment wherein nitrogen is removed from the wastewater (page 3, the dissolved oxygen in the aerobic treatment tank by aeration effect is kept at 2 mg/L, normal operation of the system, the aerobic treatment tank in the nitration reaction, the ammonia nitrogen is oxidized to nitrate nitrogen, internal reflux circulating pump pumps the water containing nitrate nitrogen generated by mixed liquid to the anoxic treatment cell. carry out denitrification reaction to realize biological denitrification in the anoxic treatment tank, an aerobic treatment N2O monitoring probe of the aerobic treatment pool of cell is the N2O concentration in the aerobic processing pool monitoring when monitoring the N2O concentration in the aerobic tank is higher than 0.1mg/L.);
an N2O sensor (15, 17) positioned in the basin (Fig. 1) and configured to produce an N2O detection in the biological treatment (page 5, an aerobic treatment tank 5 is set in the aerobic treatment tank N2O monitoring probe 15 for monitoring the aerobic treatment tank 5 produced in the reaction process is N2O, aerobic treatment pool controller N2O monitoring probe 15 through the PLC computer automatic control system 19 is connected to the computer.; anoxic treatment cell 4 is set in the anoxic treatment cell N2O monitoring probe 17 for monitoring the anoxic treatment cell N2O generated in the reaction process,); and
an organic carbon source (20; page 5, acetate solution storage tank stored in 20 molar sodium acetate solution with concentration of 0.5mol/L as the anoxic reaction tank 4 of the denitrification carbon source replenishing reaction abnormality, acetate solution storage tank 20 through the solution transmission pump 21 connected with the anoxic treatment tank 4, sodium acetate solution transmission pump 21 and PLC automatic control of the computer system 19 by connecting lines.) fluidly connected to the basin (Fig. 1), the wastewater treatment system being configured to dose organic carbon from the organic carbon source to the biological treatment based on the N2O detection so that the wastewater treatment system controls an N2O level of the biological treatment via the organic carbon (pages 5-6, PLC automatic control system 19 with a sodium acetate solution transmission pump 21 and air pump 7 connected to the anoxic treatment tank in the anoxic treatment tank N2O and the aerobic treatment tank 5, 4 monitoring probe 17 and aerobic treatment tank N2O back 15 N2O concentration monitoring probe control acetate solution transmission pump 21 and air pump 7 to operate. anoxic treatment cell 4 by monitoring N2O control method of sewage treatment process. anoxic treatment tank is a function unit for denitrification sewage treatment device, the generated N2O shows denitrification process is not complete, supplementary carbon source as an electron donor can effectively promote the denitrification reaction, improve denitrification efficiency. after the sewage treatment system for open anoxic treatment cell control system is operated, the anoxic treatment cell 4 in the anoxic treatment cell N2O monitoring probe 17 for monitoring the anoxic treatment cell 4 in the concentration of N2O, when monitoring the N2O concentration into the oxygen-deficient treatment cell 4 is higher than 0.1mg/L, starting the acetate solution transmission pump 21, at a transmission rate of 0.2L/min mol concentration of the acetate solution storage tank 20 is 0.5mol/L of sodium acetate solution to the anoxic processing cell 4. supplementary anoxic reaction cell 4 in the denitrification carbon source and promoting denitrification effect, so as to reduce N2O production while improving the denitrification efficiency. acetate solution transmission pump 21 to react to the anoxic reaction tank while transmitting the acetate solution, the anoxic treatment cell N2O monitoring probe 17 N2O concentration of the monitoring data feedback to the PLC computer automatic control system 19, lower than the 0.1mg/L to N2O concentration while monitoring, PLC computer automatic control system 19 closes acetate solution transmission pump 21.). Yan et al. do not explicitly disclose that the organic carbon source may be from at least one of a primary sludge fermentation system and a biomass fermentation system.
Peng et al., also directed to a wastewater treatment system comprising:
a basin configured to subject wastewater to an activated sludge-based biological
treatment wherein nitrogen is removed from the wastewater (Fig. 1, Abstract, The invention claims a technique for strengthening continuous flow municipal sewage short-range nitration anaerobic ammonia oxidation by sludge fermentation, belonging to the field of sewage treatment. The invention comprises raw water tank, continuous flow AOA reactor (anaerobic/aerobic/anoxic reactor), sludge fermentation tank, sedimentation tank and so on. wherein the main part AOA reactor; the anaerobic section microorganism uses COD in domestic sewage to synthesize inner carbon source; at the same time, releasing phosphorus; the sewage enters the aerobic section for partial short-range nitrification; finally entering the anoxic section, performing anaerobic ammonia oxidation and endogenous denitrification.) disclose providing an organic carbon source from at least one of a primary sludge fermentation system and a biomass fermentation system (4, page 2, The principle of the invention is that the inhibition of the nitrite-oxidizing bacteria by sludge leavening is far greater than the inhibition of the ammonia-oxidizing bacteria; the means for controlling the dissolved oxygen stably maintains short-distance nitration in the continuous flow; at the same time, using the high-efficiency carbon source in the sludge fermentation to finish the accumulation of the inner carbon source and subsequent denitrification. in the AOA reactor; the anaerobic section uses the carbon source generated by COD and sludge fermentation in domestic sewage to synthesize inner carbon source; page 4, The invention uses self or system outside of the sludge to ferment, realizes the decrement of the sludge, greatly reduces the sludge treatment cost, and plays a role of protecting environment.) in order to, for example, use a high-efficiency carbon source and facilitate denitrification (page 4, The principle of the invention is that the inhibition of the nitrite-oxidizing bacteria by sludge leavening is far greater than the inhibition of the ammonia-oxidizing bacteria; the means for controlling the dissolved oxygen stably maintains short-distance nitration in the continuous flow; at the same time, using the high-efficiency carbon source in the sludge fermentation to finish the accumulation of the inner carbon source and subsequent denitrification.), reduce sludge discharge, save energy and reduce consumption (page 1, The invention claims a technology for strengthening continuous flow municipal sewage part short-range nitration anaerobic ammonia oxidation by sludge fermentation, which is suitable for the current situation of low urban sewage C/N in our country; at the same time, it reduces the residual sludge discharge; it has the characteristics of saving energy and reducing consumption.).
Accordingly, it would have been readily obvious for the skilled artisan to modify the system of Yan et al. such that it comprises the organic carbon source may be from at least one of a primary sludge fermentation system and a biomass fermentation system in order to, for example, use a high-efficiency carbon source and facilitate denitrification, reduce sludge discharge, save energy and reduce consumption.
Per claim 3, Yan et al. disclose wherein the wastewater treatment system is further configured to utilize continuous flow, cyclic aeration (page 6, aeration of the aerobic processing cell constant is 200L/h; page 6, the PLC computer automatic control system 19 increases the aeration rate to 2 times of the original air pump 7, to increase the dissolved oxygen concentration in the aerobic treatment tank 5,); the basin forming an anaerobic region (3) and an anoxic region (4; Fig. 1; page 4, As shown in FIG. 1, by a sewage treatment automatic control device for monitoring N2O, provided with an anaerobic treatment tank 3, an anoxic treatment cell 4, aerobic treatment tank 5 and a sludge sedimentation tank 11.), the N2O sensor being positioned in at least one of the anaerobic region and the anoxic region (page 5, an aerobic treatment tank 5 is set in the aerobic treatment tank N2O monitoring probe 15 for monitoring the aerobic treatment tank 5 produced in the reaction process is N2O, aerobic treatment pool controller N2O monitoring probe 15 through the PLC computer automatic control system 19 is connected to the computer.; anoxic treatment cell 4 is set in the anoxic treatment cell N2O monitoring probe 17 for monitoring the anoxic treatment cell N2O generated in the reaction process,), the wastewater treatment system being configured to dose the organic carbon into the anoxic region (Fig. 1; page 4, anoxic treatment tank 4 and the aerobic treatment tank 5 is connected by internal reflux circulating pump 8, anaerobic treating tank 3 and sludge sedimentation tank 11 through the outer reflux circulating pump 9 connected with the sodium acetate solution storage tank 20 through the solution transfer pump 21 to the anoxic treatment cell 4.).
Per claim 4, Yan et al. disclose further comprising an additional N2O sensor (15, 17) positioned in the basin (Fig. 1), wherein the wastewater treatment system is further configured to utilize continuous flow, cyclic aeration (page 6, aeration of the aerobic processing cell constant is 200L/h; page 6, the PLC computer automatic control system 19 increases the aeration rate to 2 times of the original air pump 7, to increase the dissolved oxygen concentration in the aerobic treatment tank 5,); the basin forming an anaerobic region (3) and an anoxic region (4; Fig. 1; page 4, As shown in FIG. 1, by a sewage treatment automatic control device for monitoring N2O, provided with an anaerobic treatment tank 3, an anoxic treatment cell 4, aerobic treatment tank 5 and a sludge sedimentation tank 11.), the N2O sensor being positioned in at least one region (Fig. 1; page 5, an aerobic treatment tank 5 is set in the aerobic treatment tank N2O monitoring probe 15 for monitoring the aerobic treatment tank 5 produced in the reaction process is N2O, aerobic treatment pool controller N2O monitoring probe 15 through the PLC computer automatic control system 19 is connected to the computer.; anoxic treatment cell 4 is set in the anoxic treatment cell N2O monitoring probe 17 for monitoring the anoxic treatment cell N2O generated in the reaction process,) the wastewater treatment system being configured to dose the organic carbon into the anoxic region (20; page 5, acetate solution storage tank stored in 20 molar sodium acetate solution with concentration of 0.5mol/L as the anoxic reaction tank 4 of the denitrification carbon source replenishing reaction abnormality, acetate solution storage tank 20 through the solution transmission pump 21 connected with the anoxic treatment tank 4, sodium acetate solution transmission pump 21 and PLC automatic control of the computer system 19 by connecting lines.), the additional sensor being positioned in the anoxic region (Fig. 1), the wastewater treatment system being further configured to dose the organic carbon into the anoxic region (Fig. 1). Yan et al., as modified by Peng et al., do not disclose the sensor being positioned in the anaerobic region and the system being configured to dose the organic carbon into the anaerobic region.
It is submitted that it would have been a routine matter of design choice to modify the system of Yan et al., as modified by Peng et al., such that it comprises the sensor being positioned in the anaerobic region and the system being configured to dose the organic carbon into the anaerobic region in order to, for example, be able to control denitrification conditions in the anaerobic region, depending on anticipated contaminant loading and the results desired. It has been held that routine matters of design choice do not involve an inventive step. See MPEP 2144.
Per claim 5, Yan et al. disclose wherein the basin forms an anaerobic biomass fermentation zone (page 3, sewage to be treated enters into the anaerobic treatment tank through the water inlet on the upper part the anaerobic treatment tank. the sludge is uniformly suspended state, the rotational speed of the slurry stirrer is kept at 300-500r/min in the anaerobic treatment tank under the stirring action of the slurry stirrer,).
Per claim 6, Yan et al. disclose the system further comprising a plurality of N2O sensors including the N2O sensor (15, 17), the plurality of N2O sensors being spaced apart from each other along a flow direction in the basin (Fig. 1).
Per claim 9, Yan et al. disclose wherein the wastewater treatment system is further configured to utilize at least one of nitrification, partial nitritation, denitrification with nitrite, partial denitritation and denitrification (page 3, at a transmission rate of 0.2L/min in the sodium acetate solution storage tank whose mol concentration is 0.5mol/L sodium acetate solution to the anoxic processing cell, supplementing the anoxic treatment cell in the denitrification carbon source to promote denitrification effect, so as to reduce N2O production while improving the denitrification efficiency.; page 6, an aerobic treatment tank 5 by monitoring N2O control method of sewage treatment process. an aerobic treatment tank 5 is a function unit for nitrifying reaction sewage treatment device, N2O generate the pollutant load is large, in the nitration reaction to increase the dissolved oxygen in the reaction system is supplied.).
Per claim 10, Yan et al. disclose wherein the wastewater treatment system is further configured to set a dosing rate relative to a flow of the organic carbon into the basin (page 3, when monitoring the anoxic treatment N2O concentration in the cell is higher than 0.1mg/L, PLC computer automatic control system controls the opening acetate solution transmission pump. at a transmission rate of 0.2L/min in the sodium acetate solution storage tank whose mol concentration is 0.5mol/L sodium acetate solution to the anoxic processing cell, supplementing the anoxic treatment cell in the denitrification carbon source to promote denitrification effect, so as to reduce N2O production while improving the denitrification efficiency.).
Per claim 11, Yan et al. disclose a method of treating wastewater (abstract, The invention claims a sewage processing device and control method for automatic control by monitoring N2O connected through the internal reflux circulating pump and a pipeline between the anoxic treatment tank and the aerobic treatment pool;), the method comprising steps of:
subjecting the wastewater to an activated sludge-based biological treatment in a
basin (defining elements 3,4, 5; Fig. 1) wherein nitrogen is removed from the wastewater (page 3, the dissolved oxygen in the aerobic treatment tank by aeration effect is kept at 2 mg/L, normal operation of the system, the aerobic treatment tank in the nitration reaction, the ammonia nitrogen is oxidized to nitrate nitrogen, internal reflux circulating pump pumps the water containing nitrate nitrogen generated by mixed liquid to the anoxic treatment cell. carry out denitrification reaction to realize biological denitrification in the anoxic treatment tank, an aerobic treatment N2O monitoring probe of the aerobic treatment pool of cell is the N2O concentration in the aerobic processing pool monitoring when monitoring the N2O concentration in the aerobic tank is higher than 0.1mg/L.);
producing an N2O detection in the biological treatment via an N2O sensor (15, 17; (page 5, an aerobic treatment tank 5 is set in the aerobic treatment tank N2O monitoring probe 15 for monitoring the aerobic treatment tank 5 produced in the reaction process is N2O, aerobic treatment pool controller N2O monitoring probe 15 through the PLC computer automatic control system 19 is connected to the computer.; anoxic treatment cell 4 is set in the anoxic treatment cell N2O monitoring probe 17 for monitoring the anoxic treatment cell N2O generated in the reaction process,); and
dosing organic carbon from an organic carbon source (20) to the biological treatment (page 5, acetate solution storage tank stored in 20 molar sodium acetate solution with concentration of 0.5mol/L as the anoxic reaction tank 4 of the denitrification carbon source replenishing reaction abnormality, acetate solution storage tank 20 through the solution transmission pump 21 connected with the anoxic treatment tank 4, sodium acetate solution transmission pump 21 and PLC automatic control of the computer system 19 by connecting lines.) fluidly connected to the basin (Fig. 1)
based on the N2O detection thereby controlling an N2O level of the biological treatment via the organic carbon (pages 5-6, PLC automatic control system 19 with a sodium acetate solution transmission pump 21 and air pump 7 connected to the anoxic treatment tank in the anoxic treatment tank N2O and the aerobic treatment tank 5, 4 monitoring probe 17 and aerobic treatment tank N2O back 15 N2O concentration monitoring probe control acetate solution transmission pump 21 and air pump 7 to operate. anoxic treatment cell 4 by monitoring N2O control method of sewage treatment process. anoxic treatment tank is a function unit for denitrification sewage treatment device, the generated N2O shows denitrification process is not complete, supplementary carbon source as an electron donor can effectively promote the denitrification reaction, improve denitrification efficiency. after the sewage treatment system for open anoxic treatment cell control system is operated, the anoxic treatment cell 4 in the anoxic treatment cell N2O monitoring probe 17 for monitoring the anoxic treatment cell 4 in the concentration of N2O, when monitoring the N2O concentration into the oxygen-deficient treatment cell 4 is higher than 0.1mg/L, starting the acetate solution transmission pump 21, at a transmission rate of 0.2L/min mol concentration of the acetate solution storage tank 20 is 0.5mol/L of sodium acetate solution to the anoxic processing cell 4. supplementary anoxic reaction cell 4 in the denitrification carbon source and promoting denitrification effect, so as to reduce N2O production while improving the denitrification efficiency. acetate solution transmission pump 21 to react to the anoxic reaction tank while transmitting the acetate solution, the anoxic treatment cell N2O monitoring probe 17 N2O concentration of the monitoring data feedback to the PLC computer automatic control system 19, lower than the 0.1mg/L to N2O concentration while monitoring, PLC computer automatic control system 19 closes acetate solution transmission pump 21.). Yan et al. do not explicitly disclose that the organic carbon source may be from at least one of a primary sludge fermentation system and a biomass fermentation system.
Peng et al., also directed to a method of treating wastewater (Fig. 1, Abstract, The invention claims a technique for strengthening continuous flow municipal sewage short-range nitration anaerobic ammonia oxidation by sludge fermentation, belonging to the field of sewage treatment. The invention comprises raw water tank, continuous flow AOA reactor (anaerobic/aerobic/anoxic reactor), sludge fermentation tank, sedimentation tank and so on. wherein the main part AOA reactor; the anaerobic section microorganism uses COD in domestic sewage to synthesize inner carbon source; at the same time, releasing phosphorus; the sewage enters the aerobic section for partial short-range nitrification; finally entering the anoxic section, performing anaerobic ammonia oxidation and endogenous denitrification.) disclose providing an organic carbon source from at least one of a primary sludge fermentation system and a biomass fermentation system (4, page 2, The principle of the invention is that the inhibition of the nitrite-oxidizing bacteria by sludge leavening is far greater than the inhibition of the ammonia-oxidizing bacteria; the means for controlling the dissolved oxygen stably maintains short-distance nitration in the continuous flow; at the same time, using the high-efficiency carbon source in the sludge fermentation to finish the accumulation of the inner carbon source and subsequent denitrification. in the AOA reactor; the anaerobic section uses the carbon source generated by COD and sludge fermentation in domestic sewage to synthesize inner carbon source; page 4, The invention uses self or system outside of the sludge to ferment, realizes the decrement of the sludge, greatly reduces the sludge treatment cost, and plays a role of protecting environment.) in order to, for example, use a high-efficiency carbon source and facilitate denitrification (page 4, The principle of the invention is that the inhibition of the nitrite-oxidizing bacteria by sludge leavening is far greater than the inhibition of the ammonia-oxidizing bacteria; the means for controlling the dissolved oxygen stably maintains short-distance nitration in the continuous flow; at the same time, using the high-efficiency carbon source in the sludge fermentation to finish the accumulation of the inner carbon source and subsequent denitrification.), reduce sludge discharge, save energy and reduce consumption (page 1, The invention claims a technology for strengthening continuous flow municipal sewage part short-range nitration anaerobic ammonia oxidation by sludge fermentation, which is suitable for the current situation of low urban sewage C/N in our country; at the same time, it reduces the residual sludge discharge; it has the characteristics of saving energy and reducing consumption.).
Accordingly, it would have been readily obvious for the skilled artisan to modify the method of Yan et al. such that it comprises the organic carbon source may be from at least one of a primary sludge fermentation system and a biomass fermentation system in order to, for example, use a high-efficiency carbon source and facilitate denitrification, reduce sludge discharge, save energy and reduce consumption.
Per claim 13, Yan et al. disclose the subjecting step comprising:
forming an anaerobic region (3) and an anoxic region (4) in the biological treatment (Fig. 1; page 4, As shown in FIG. 1, by a sewage treatment automatic control device for monitoring N2O, provided with an anaerobic treatment tank 3, an anoxic treatment cell 4, aerobic treatment tank 5 and a sludge sedimentation tank 11.); and
utilizing continuous flow, cyclic aeration (page 6, aeration of the aerobic processing cell constant is 200L/h; page 6, the PLC computer automatic control system 19 increases the aeration rate to 2 times of the original air pump 7, to increase the dissolved oxygen concentration in the aerobic treatment tank 5,);
the producing step including detecting an amount of N2O in at least one of the
anaerobic region and the anoxic region (pages 5-6, PLC automatic control system 19 with a sodium acetate solution transmission pump 21 and air pump 7 connected to the anoxic treatment tank in the anoxic treatment tank N2O and the aerobic treatment tank 5, 4 monitoring probe 17 and aerobic treatment tank N2O back 15 N2O concentration monitoring probe control acetate solution transmission pump 21 and air pump 7 to operate. anoxic treatment cell 4 by monitoring N2O control method of sewage treatment process. anoxic treatment tank is a function unit for denitrification sewage treatment device, the generated N2O shows denitrification process is not complete, supplementary carbon source as an electron donor can effectively promote the denitrification reaction, improve denitrification efficiency. after the sewage treatment system for open anoxic treatment cell control system is operated, the anoxic treatment cell 4 in the anoxic treatment cell N2O monitoring probe 17 for monitoring the anoxic treatment cell 4 in the concentration of N2O, when monitoring the N2O concentration into the oxygen-deficient treatment cell 4 is higher than 0.1mg/L, starting the acetate solution transmission pump 21, at a transmission rate of 0.2L/min mol concentration of the acetate solution storage tank 20 is 0.5mol/L of sodium acetate solution to the anoxic processing cell 4. supplementary anoxic reaction cell 4 in the denitrification carbon source and promoting denitrification effect, so as to reduce N2O production while improving the denitrification efficiency. acetate solution transmission pump 21 to react to the anoxic reaction tank while transmitting the acetate solution, the anoxic treatment cell N2O monitoring probe 17 N2O concentration of the monitoring data feedback to the PLC computer automatic control system 19, lower than the 0.1mg/L to N2O concentration while monitoring, PLC computer automatic control system 19 closes acetate solution transmission pump 21.), the dosing step including dosing the organic carbon into the anoxic region (20; page 5, acetate solution storage tank stored in 20 molar sodium acetate solution with concentration of 0.5mol/L as the anoxic reaction tank 4 of the denitrification carbon source replenishing reaction abnormality, acetate solution storage tank 20 through the solution transmission pump 21 connected with the anoxic treatment tank 4, sodium acetate solution transmission pump 21 and PLC automatic control of the computer system 19 by connecting lines.).
Per claim 14, Yan et al. disclose the subjecting step comprising:
forming an anaerobic region (3) and an anoxic region (4); and utilizing continuous flow, cyclic aeration (page 6, aeration of the aerobic processing cell constant is 200L/h; page 6, the PLC computer automatic control system 19 increases the aeration rate to 2 times of the original air pump 7, to increase the dissolved oxygen concentration in the aerobic treatment tank 5,);
the producing step including detecting an amount of N2O and the anoxic region (Fig. 1; page 5, an aerobic treatment tank 5 is set in the aerobic treatment tank N2O monitoring probe 15 for monitoring the aerobic treatment tank 5 produced in the reaction process is N2O, aerobic treatment pool controller N2O monitoring probe 15 through the PLC computer automatic control system 19 is connected to the computer.; anoxic treatment cell 4 is set in the anoxic treatment cell N2O monitoring probe 17 for monitoring the anoxic treatment cell N2O generated in the reaction process,), the dosing step including dosing the organic carbon into the anoxic region (20; page 5, acetate solution storage tank stored in 20 molar sodium acetate solution with concentration of 0.5mol/L as the anoxic reaction tank 4 of the denitrification carbon source replenishing reaction abnormality, acetate solution storage tank 20 through the solution transmission pump 21 connected with the anoxic treatment tank 4, sodium acetate solution transmission pump 21 and PLC automatic control of the computer system 19 by connecting lines.). Yan et al., as modified by Peng et al., do not disclose detecting N2O in the anaerobic region and dosing the organic carbon into the anaerobic region.
It is submitted that it would have been a routine matter of design choice to modify the method of Yan et al., as modified by Peng et al., such that it comprises detecting N2O in the anaerobic region and dosing the organic carbon into the anaerobic region in order to, for example, be able to control denitrification conditions in the anaerobic region, depending on anticipated contaminant loading and the results desired. It has been held that routine matters of design choice do not involve an inventive step. See MPEP 2144.
Per claim 15, Yan et al. disclose the subjecting step including forming an anaerobic biomass fermentation zone (page 3, sewage to be treated enters into the anaerobic treatment tank through the water inlet on the upper part the anaerobic treatment tank. the sludge is uniformly suspended state, the rotational speed of the slurry stirrer is kept at 300-500r/min in the anaerobic treatment tank under the stirring action of the slurry stirrer,).
Per claim 16, Yan et al. disclose the producing step including taking N2O readings (via sensors 15 and 17) at spaced apart locations along a flow direction in the basin (Fig. 1).
Per claim 19, Yan et al. disclose wherein the subjecting step utilizes at least one of nitrification (ammonium oxidation to nitrate), partial nitritation (ammonium oxidation to nitrite), denitrification with nitrite (nitrite reduction to nitrogen gas), partial denitritation (nitrate reduction to nitrite), and denitrification (nitrate reduction to nitrogen gas) (page 3, at a transmission rate of 0.2L/min in the sodium acetate solution storage tank whose mol concentration is 0.5mol/L sodium acetate solution to the anoxic processing cell, supplementing the anoxic treatment cell in the denitrification carbon source to promote denitrification effect, so as to reduce N2O production while improving the denitrification efficiency.; page 6, an aerobic treatment tank 5 by monitoring N2O control method of sewage treatment process. an aerobic treatment tank 5 is a function unit for nitrifying reaction sewage treatment device, N2O generate the pollutant load is large, in the nitration reaction to increase the dissolved oxygen in the reaction system is supplied.).
Per claim 20, Yan et al. disclose a method of treating wastewater (abstract, The invention claims a sewage processing device and control method for automatic control by monitoring N2O connected through the internal reflux circulating pump and a pipeline between the anoxic treatment tank and the aerobic treatment pool;), the method comprising steps of:
subjecting the wastewater to an activated sludge-based biological treatment in a
basin (defining elements 3, 4, 5) wherein nitrogen is removed from the wastewater (page 3, the dissolved oxygen in the aerobic treatment tank by aeration effect is kept at 2 mg/L, normal operation of the system, the aerobic treatment tank in the nitration reaction, the ammonia nitrogen is oxidized to nitrate nitrogen, internal reflux circulating pump pumps the water containing nitrate nitrogen generated by mixed liquid to the anoxic treatment cell. carry out denitrification reaction to realize biological denitrification in the anoxic treatment tank, an aerobic treatment N2O monitoring probe of the aerobic treatment pool of cell is the N2O concentration in the aerobic processing pool monitoring when monitoring the N2O concentration in the aerobic tank is higher than 0.1mg/L.), including:
forming an anaerobic region (3) and an anoxic region (4) in the biological
treatment (Fig. 1; page 4, As shown in FIG. 1, by a sewage treatment automatic control device for monitoring N2O, provided with an anaerobic treatment tank 3, an anoxic treatment cell 4, aerobic treatment tank 5 and a sludge sedimentation tank 11.); and
utilizing continuous flow, cyclic aeration (page 6, aeration of the aerobic processing cell constant is 200L/h; page 6, the PLC computer automatic control system 19 increases the aeration rate to 2 times of the original air pump 7, to increase the dissolved oxygen concentration in the aerobic treatment tank 5,);
producing an N2O detection in at least one of the anaerobic region and the anoxic region (pages 5-6, PLC automatic control system 19 with a sodium acetate solution transmission pump 21 and air pump 7 connected to the anoxic treatment tank in the anoxic treatment tank N2O and the aerobic treatment tank 5, 4 monitoring probe 17 and aerobic treatment tank N2O back 15 N2O concentration monitoring probe control acetate solution transmission pump 21 and air pump 7 to operate. anoxic treatment cell 4 by monitoring N2O control method of sewage treatment process. anoxic treatment tank is a function unit for denitrification sewage treatment device, the generated N2O shows denitrification process is not complete, supplementary carbon source as an electron donor can effectively promote the denitrification reaction, improve denitrification efficiency. after the sewage treatment system for open anoxic treatment cell control system is operated, the anoxic treatment cell 4 in the anoxic treatment cell N2O monitoring probe 17 for monitoring the anoxic treatment cell 4 in the concentration of N2O, when monitoring the N2O concentration into the oxygen-deficient treatment cell 4 is higher than 0.1mg/L, starting the acetate solution transmission pump 21, at a transmission rate of 0.2L/min mol concentration of the acetate solution storage tank 20 is 0.5mol/L of sodium acetate solution to the anoxic processing cell 4. supplementary anoxic reaction cell 4 in the denitrification carbon source and promoting denitrification effect, so as to reduce N2O production while improving the denitrification efficiency. acetate solution transmission pump 21 to react to the anoxic reaction tank while transmitting the acetate solution, the anoxic treatment cell N2O monitoring probe 17 N2O concentration of the monitoring data feedback to the PLC computer automatic control system 19, lower than the 0.1mg/L to N2O concentration while monitoring, PLC computer automatic control system 19 closes acetate solution transmission pump 21.); and
dosing organic carbon from an organic carbon source (20) into the anoxic region of the biological treatment based on the N2O detection thereby controlling an N2O
level of the biological treatment via the organic carbon (pages 5-6, PLC automatic control system 19 with a sodium acetate solution transmission pump 21 and air pump 7 connected to the anoxic treatment tank in the anoxic treatment tank N2O and the aerobic treatment tank 5, 4 monitoring probe 17 and aerobic treatment tank N2O back 15 N2O concentration monitoring probe control acetate solution transmission pump 21 and air pump 7 to operate. anoxic treatment cell 4 by monitoring N2O control method of sewage treatment process. anoxic treatment tank is a function unit for denitrification sewage treatment device, the generated N2O shows denitrification process is not complete, supplementary carbon source as an electron donor can effectively promote the denitrification reaction, improve denitrification efficiency. after the sewage treatment system for open anoxic treatment cell control system is operated, the anoxic treatment cell 4 in the anoxic treatment cell N2O monitoring probe 17 for monitoring the anoxic treatment cell 4 in the concentration of N2O, when monitoring the N2O concentration into the oxygen-deficient treatment cell 4 is higher than 0.1mg/L, starting the acetate solution transmission pump 21, at a transmission rate of 0.2L/min mol concentration of the acetate solution storage tank 20 is 0.5mol/L of sodium acetate solution to the anoxic processing cell 4. supplementary anoxic reaction cell 4 in the denitrification carbon source and promoting denitrification effect, so as to reduce N2O production while improving the denitrification efficiency. acetate solution transmission pump 21 to react to the anoxic reaction tank while transmitting the acetate solution, the anoxic treatment cell N2O monitoring probe 17 N2O concentration of the monitoring data feedback to the PLC computer automatic control system 19, lower than the 0.1mg/L to N2O concentration while monitoring, PLC computer automatic control system 19 closes acetate solution transmission pump 21.),
wherein the organic carbon is from at least one of a primary sludge fermentation
system, a biomass fermentation system, and an external organic carbon
feed product including at least one of glycerol, methanol, and acetate (20; page 5, acetate solution storage tank stored in 20 molar sodium acetate solution with concentration of 0.5mol/L as the anoxic reaction tank 4 of the denitrification carbon source replenishing reaction abnormality, acetate solution storage tank 20 through the solution transmission pump 21 connected with the anoxic treatment tank 4, sodium acetate solution transmission pump 21 and PLC automatic control of the computer system 19 by connecting lines.), and
wherein the subjecting step utilizes at least one of nitrification, partial nitritation, denitrification with nitrite, partial denitritation, denitrification, and anaerobic ammonium oxidation (page 3, at a transmission rate of 0.2L/min in the sodium acetate solution storage tank whose mol concentration is 0.5mol/L sodium acetate solution to the anoxic processing cell, supplementing the anoxic treatment cell in the denitrification carbon source to promote denitrification effect, so as to reduce N2O production while improving the denitrification efficiency.; page 6, an aerobic treatment tank 5 by monitoring N2O control method of sewage treatment process. an aerobic treatment tank 5 is a function unit for nitrifying reaction sewage treatment device, N2O generate the pollutant load is large, in the nitration reaction to increase the dissolved oxygen in the reaction system is supplied.). Yan et al. do not explicitly disclose that the organic carbon source may be from at least one of a primary sludge fermentation system and a biomass fermentation system.
Peng et al., also directed to a method of treating wastewater (Fig. 1, Abstract, The invention claims a technique for strengthening continuous flow municipal sewage short-range nitration anaerobic ammonia oxidation by sludge fermentation, belonging to the field of sewage treatment. The invention comprises raw water tank, continuous flow AOA reactor (anaerobic/aerobic/anoxic reactor), sludge fermentation tank, sedimentation tank and so on. wherein the main part AOA reactor; the anaerobic section microorganism uses COD in domestic sewage to synthesize inner carbon source; at the same time, releasing phosphorus; the sewage enters the aerobic section for partial short-range nitrification; finally entering the anoxic section, performing anaerobic ammonia oxidation and endogenous denitrification.) disclose providing an organic carbon source from at least one of a primary sludge fermentation system and a biomass fermentation system (4, page 2, The principle of the invention is that the inhibition of the nitrite-oxidizing bacteria by sludge leavening is far greater than the inhibition of the ammonia-oxidizing bacteria; the means for controlling the dissolved oxygen stably maintains short-distance nitration in the continuous flow; at the same time, using the high-efficiency carbon source in the sludge fermentation to finish the accumulation of the inner carbon source and subsequent denitrification. in the AOA reactor; the anaerobic section uses the carbon source generated by COD and sludge fermentation in domestic sewage to synthesize inner carbon source; page 4, The invention uses self or system outside of the sludge to ferment, realizes the decrement of the sludge, greatly reduces the sludge treatment cost, and plays a role of protecting environment.) in order to, for example, use a high-efficiency carbon source and facilitate denitrification (page 4, The principle of the invention is that the inhibition of the nitrite-oxidizing bacteria by sludge leavening is far greater than the inhibition of the ammonia-oxidizing bacteria; the means for controlling the dissolved oxygen stably maintains short-distance nitration in the continuous flow; at the same time, using the high-efficiency carbon source in the sludge fermentation to finish the accumulation of the inner carbon source and subsequent denitrification.), reduce sludge discharge, save energy and reduce consumption (page 1, The invention claims a technology for strengthening continuous flow municipal sewage part short-range nitration anaerobic ammonia oxidation by sludge fermentation, which is suitable for the current situation of low urban sewage C/N in our country; at the same time, it reduces the residual sludge discharge; it has the characteristics of saving energy and reducing consumption.).
Accordingly, it would have been readily obvious for the skilled artisan to modify the method of Yan et al. such that it comprises the organic carbon source may be from at least one of a primary sludge fermentation system and a biomass fermentation system in order to, for example, use a high-efficiency carbon source and facilitate denitrification, reduce sludge discharge, save energy and reduce consumption.
Per claim 22, Yan et al., as modified by Peng et al., disclose the organic carbon source being a biomass fermentation system (see Peng et al., page 2, The invention claims a method for using continuous flow municipal sewage sludge fermentation enhancing partial short-range nitration anaerobic technology for ammonia oxidation, it is suitable for situation of municipal sewage in China C/N is low, at the same time, decrease residual sludge discharging amount, featured with saving energy and reducing consumption.).
Claims 2 and 12 are finally rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yan et al. (‘092) in view of Peng et al. (‘830) as applied above and further in view of Sperandio et al. (WO 2016/087495).
Per claim 2, Yan et al., as modified by Peng et al., do not disclose wherein the basin is a sequencing batch reactor configured to cycle the biological treatment through aerobic and anoxic periods.
Sperandio et al., also directed to a wastewater treatment system (Abstract, The present invention relates to a method of treating in a reactor an effluent comprising ammonium ions, said method comprising: - at least one cycle comprising the following steps: -a step of supplying said reactor with effluent, -an aeration step to cause aerobic nitrification of ammonium ions and -a non-aeration step to cause anoxic denitrification; page 4, lines 27-28, The effluent may be for example domestic or industrial wastewater or any other kind of effluent comprising ammonium.), disclose wherein a basin is a sequencing batch reactor configured to cycle a biological treatment through aerobic and anoxic periods (page 16, lines 5-10, The reactor was operated over a 120 days period in sequencing batch mode with a cycle composed of alternating aerobic period (nitrification) and anoxic period (denitrification), followed by settling (20 minutes) and withdraw (8 minutes). Aerobic period was initiated by the feeding of ammonium- rich effluent (20 mL.min.sup."1, 10 min) and anoxic period started with addition of complementary solution respectively (6.25 mL.min.sup."1, 2.5 to 7.5 minutes).) in order to, for example, remove nitrogen from the wastewater via nitrification and denitrification (Abstract, The present invention relates to a method of treating in a reactor an effluent comprising ammonium ions, said method comprising: - at least one cycle comprising the following steps: -a step of supplying said reactor with effluent, -an aeration step to cause aerobic nitrification of ammonium ions and -a non-aeration step to cause anoxic denitrification).
Accordingly, it would have been readily obvious for the skilled artisan to modify the system of Yan et al., as modified by Peng et al., such that it comprises wherein the basin is a sequencing batch reactor configured to cycle the biological treatment through aerobic and anoxic periods in order to, for example, remove nitrogen from the wastewater via nitrification and denitrification.
Per claim 12, Yan et al., as modified by Peng et al., do not disclose wherein the basin is a sequencing batch reactor configured to cycle the biological treatment through aerobic and anoxic periods.
Sperandio et al., also directed to a method of treating wastewater (Abstract, The present invention relates to a method of treating in a reactor an effluent comprising ammonium ions, said method comprising: - at least one cycle comprising the following steps: -a step of supplying said reactor with effluent, -an aeration step to cause aerobic nitrification of ammonium ions and -a non-aeration step to cause anoxic denitrification; page 4, lines 27-28, The effluent may be for example domestic or industrial wastewater or any other kind of effluent comprising ammonium.), disclose wherein a basin is a sequencing batch reactor configured to cycle a biological treatment through aerobic and anoxic periods (page 16, lines 5-10, The reactor was operated over a 120 days period in sequencing batch mode with a cycle composed of alternating aerobic period (nitrification) and anoxic period (denitrification), followed by settling (20 minutes) and withdraw (8 minutes). Aerobic period was initiated by the feeding of ammonium- rich effluent (20 mL.min.sup."1, 10 min) and anoxic period started with addition of complementary solution respectively (6.25 mL.min.sup."1, 2.5 to 7.5 minutes).) in order to, for example, remove nitrogen from the wastewater via nitrification and denitrification (Abstract, The present invention relates to a method of treating in a reactor an effluent comprising ammonium ions, said method comprising: - at least one cycle comprising the following steps: -a step of supplying said reactor with effluent, -an aeration step to cause aerobic nitrification of ammonium ions and -a non-aeration step to cause anoxic denitrification).
Accordingly, it would have been readily obvious for the skilled artisan to modify the method of Yan et al., as modified by Peng et al., such that it comprises wherein the basin is a sequencing batch reactor configured to cycle the biological treatment through aerobic and anoxic periods in order to, for example, remove nitrogen from the wastewater via nitrification and denitrification.
Claims 7 and 17 are finally rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yan et al. (‘092) in view of Peng et al. (‘830) as applied above and further in view of Van Nieuwenhuijzen (WO 2019/132655).
Per claim 7, Yan et al., as modified by Peng et al., do not disclose further comprising at least one of a nitrite sensor and a nitrate sensor positioned in the basin, the wastewater treatment system being further configured to dose organic carbon from the organic carbon source to the biological treatment based on a reading of the at least one of the nitrite sensor and the nitrate sensor.
Van Nieuwenhuijzen, also directed to a wastewater treatment system (Abstract, Method and system or purifying wastewater), disclose at least one of a nitrite sensor and a nitrate sensor (33, 35; page 7, lines 20-24, In order to be able to determine a measure of the denitrification of the wastewater or surface water in the biological filter, the system optionally is provided with a sensor 33 for online measurement of a concentration of NO3-N is provided in the duct 4c upstream of the filter 9, and with a similar sensor 35 for online measurement concentration of NO3-N in the third buffer vessel 14 downstream of the filter. Both sensors 33 and 35 are connected to the controller 60.), the wastewater treatment system being further configured to dose organic carbon from the organic carbon source to the biological treatment based on a reading of the at least one of the nitrite sensor and the nitrate sensor (page 7, lines 33-35, The amount of carbon source fed into the waste water via line 6 is determined based on the concentration of NO3-N measured by sensor 33, the COD measured by sensor 34 and the concentration of O2 measured by sensor 32.) in order to, for example, carry out denitrification under substantially anoxic conditions and break down nitrates (page 2, lines 13-17, The carbon source that is added to the water prior to feeding it to the biological filter provides the bacteria with nourishment to grow and break down nitrates. The invention aids in minimizing the amount of ozone that reaches the biological filter, so that the amount of oxygen in the water resulting from ozone reactions is also minimized and anoxic conditions of the biological filter can substantially be maintained.).
Accordingly, it would have been readily obvious for the skilled artisan to modify the system of Yan et al., as modified by Peng et al., such that it further comprises at least one of a nitrite sensor and a nitrate sensor positioned in the basin, the wastewater treatment system being further configured to dose organic carbon from the organic carbon source to the biological treatment based on a reading of the at least one of the nitrite sensor and the nitrate sensor in order to, for example, carry out denitrification under substantially anoxic conditions and break down nitrates.
Per claim 17, Yan et al., as modified by Peng et al., do not disclose the method further comprising a step of detecting at least one of an amount of nitrite and an amount of nitrate in the biological treatment, the dosing step including dosing organic carbon from the organic carbon source to the biological treatment based on at least one of a nitrite reading and a nitrate reading of the detecting step.
Van Nieuwenhuijzen, also directed to a wastewater treatment method (Abstract, Method and system or purifying wastewater), disclose a step of detecting at least one of an amount of nitrite sensor and an amount of nitrate in a biological treatment (33, 35) (page 7, lines 20-24, In order to be able to determine a measure of the denitrification of the wastewater or surface water in the biological filter, the system optionally is provided with a sensor 33 for online measurement of a concentration of NO3-N is provided in the duct 4c upstream of the filter 9, and with a similar sensor 35 for online measurement concentration of NO3-N in the third buffer vessel 14 downstream of the filter. Both sensors 33 and 35 are connected to the controller 60.), a dosing step including dosing organic carbon from the organic carbon source to the biological treatment based on at least one of a nitrite reading and a nitrate reading of the detecting step (page 7, lines 33-35, The amount of carbon source fed into the waste water via line 6 is determined based on the concentration of NO3-N measured by sensor 33, the COD measured by sensor 34 and the concentration of O2 measured by sensor 32.) in order to, for example, carry out denitrification under substantially anoxic conditions and break down nitrates (page 2, lines 13-17, The carbon source that is added to the water prior to feeding it to the biological filter provides the bacteria with nourishment to grow and break down nitrates. The invention aids in minimizing the amount of ozone that reaches the biological filter, so that the amount of oxygen in the water resulting from ozone reactions is also minimized and anoxic conditions of the biological filter can substantially be maintained.).
Accordingly, it would have been readily obvious for the skilled artisan to modify the method of Yan et al., as modified by Peng et al., such that it further comprises a step of detecting at least one of an amount of nitrite and an amount of nitrate in the biological treatment, the dosing step including dosing organic carbon from the organic carbon source to the biological treatment based on at least one of a nitrite reading and a nitrate reading of the detecting step in order to, for example, carry out denitrification under substantially anoxic conditions and break down nitrates.
Claim 21 is finally rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yan et al. (‘092) in view of Peng et al. (‘830) as applied above and further in view of Li et al. (CN 210176687, the passages cited below refer to the machine-generated English translation provided with the instant office action).
Per claim 21, Yan et al., as modified by Peng et al., do not disclose the organic carbon source being a primary sludge fermentation system.
Li et al., also directed to a wastewater treatment system (Abstract, The application proposes a sewage treatment system….), disclose an organic carbon source being a primary sludge fermentation system (Abstract, The sewage treatment system of the application ferments the sludge generated from the primary sedimentation tank, and the fermentation liquid generated is used as a carbon source for subsequent biochemical treatment links;) in order to, for example, utilize a high-quality source of carbon to facilitate biological nitrogen and phosphorus removal, save resources and utilize what is often a waste byproduct as a valuable byproduct (page 5, Under normal conditions, settling in water from the carbon/nitrogen ratio and carbon/phosphorus ratio is relatively low, the carbon source in the sewage cannot satisfy biological nitrogen and phosphorus removal is generally in need, by adding carbon source to supplement. fermentation liquid of settling sludge generated by sludge fermentation device rich in high quality carbon source (mainly using volatile organic acid), adding anaerobic pool and anoxia pool, which can supplement the biological denitrification and dephosphorization carbon source needed to replace external carbon source, save resource, changes waste into valuable.).
Accordingly, it would have been readily obvious for the skilled artisan to modify the system of Yan et al., as modified by Peng et al., such that it comprises an organic carbon source being a primary sludge fermentation system in order to, for example, utilize a high-quality source of carbon to facilitate biological nitrogen and phosphorus removal, save resources and utilize what is often a waste byproduct as a valuable byproduct.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed August 21, 2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Applicant broadly asserts that Yan et al. do not teach or render obvious the organic carbon source being at least one of a primary sludge fermentation system and a biomass fermentation system and further asserts that claims 1-7, 9-17 and 19-22 are allowable. The examiner disagrees for the reasons provided above. Peng et al. disclose the benefits of using a biomass fermentation system to provide a carbon source and Li et al. disclose the benefits of using a primary sludge fermentation system as a carbon source, as described above. Accordingly, while applicant’s arguments have been reviewed and carefully considered, the arguments are not persuasive and fail to patentably distinguish the instant claims over the applied prior art.
For the reasons provided above, a holding of obviousness is required.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
CN 113800636 discloses replacing acetate with fermented residual sludge as a carbon source.
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
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/FRED PRINCE/
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 1779
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