Eco-Engineered Bioreactors

This book provides a comprehensive understanding of a highly innovative method of natural wastewater treatment using advanced in-groundbioreactors called Eco-Engineered Bioreactors (EEBs), and traces their evolution from the earliest aerated gravel bed versions once known as Engineered Wetlands (EWs) and now known as BREW Bioreactors (BBRs) all the way to today’s wide slate of aerobic and anaerobic varieties. Treatment using EEBs involves passing wastewaters through excavated basins in which they contact fixed films of microbial consortia on permeable substrate media. Written from the perspective of ecological engineers designing EEBs, this guide covers updated information on the state-of-the-art for EEBs, covering their morphologies, testing methods, designs, operations, and microbiology.

Author Biography

James Higgins, Ph.D., P.Eng. is president of engineering consulting firm, Environmental Technologies Development Corporation (ETDC) and has held positions as President, CEO, Chairman and Director in various engineering consulting and environmental companies. Jim has been an Adjunct Professor and Lecturer at the Universities of Guelph, Ottawa and Toronto, and currently works closely with the Centre for Alternative Wastewater Treatment (CAWT) where he has EEB treatability test facilities. He is the developer of the current version of the Engineered Bioreactor ecotechnology, and initiates, organizes and participates in EEB pilot- and demonstration-scale test projects and R&D at test facilities such as those at CAWT, and at client sites. Dr Higgins is a professional engineer with background and expertise in areas such as conventional and natural wastewater treatment, constructed and engineered wetlands, site remediation, phytoremediation, risk assessment and the clean up of soils and waters contaminated with metals such as copper, nickel, chromium, lead, metalloids such as arsenic, and selenium, and hydrocarbons such as aliphatics and aromatic organics and chlorinated materials. In 2010, for the design of the seminal airport EEB System at Buffalo Niagara International Airport, Dr. Higgins as Project Leader received, on behalf of the client and the partners involved, an Honor Award for the project from the American Association of Engineering Companies