Eco-Engineered Bioreactors

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

"… an important source of up-to-date and state-of-the-art knowledge that will support the assessment and design of EEBs for wastewater treatment in scenarios described by the authors, and for new scenarios particular to specific locations."—Christopher Anderson, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand"Jim Higgins and his co-authors have created a valuable work that provides a down-to earth informative review of technologies and practices for advanced wastewater treatment systems and emerging treatment solutions. This well-written volume provides coverage and examples of important treatment concepts, issues and techniques not commonly covered. Higgin’s book covers the importance of R&D, bench-, pilot- and demonstration-scale testing in addressing how to improve the designs and implementations of large scale systems. It will provide a broad audience with valuable examples, guidance and reference materials. A valuable resource for policy makers, environmental mangers, researchers, educators and students alike working to achieve sustainable and effective methods to treat a broad spectrum of wastewaters."—D. Jack Adams, Inotec, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA"The book provides an excellent overview and deep analysis on the development and application of modern ecotechnological applications for wastewater treatment in a wide range of cases. This publication is most welcome due to its relevance in helping the environmental protection of lakes and reservoirs and other aquatic bodies by providing sound and sustainable wastewater treatment solutions. Moreover, in times when technological sustainability is becoming a fundamental requirement in the water industry and a principle to be followed by wastewater managers and authorities, this book is an important milestone towards this aim."—Vicente Santiago-Fandino, International Lake Environment Committee Foundation, Kusatsu, Shiga, Japan"This guide-book presents rationale for why eco-engineered bioreactors (EEB) are selected over conventional wastewater systems. It provides a detailed description of how EEB are designed with two different wastewater examples. I would recommend this book for students and professionals who are interested in understanding the benefits of natural vs. conventional wastewater treatment."—Prit Kotecha, M.Eng, P.Eng

• Introduction. Wastewaters Treatable In EBS. Aerobic Eco-Engineered Bioreactor Ecotechnologies. Anaerobic EEB Ecotechnologies. Biochemical Reactors. Treatability Testing. Eco-Engineered Bioreactor Substrates. The Design of Eco-Engineered Bioreactor Systems. Summary and State-of-the-Art. Natural Wetlands. Constructed Wetlands. Related Technologies. Glycols and Airports. Artisanal and Small Gold Mining. Glossary. References.