An apparatus and method are provided for treating wastewater with alkanes
such as butane. An oxygen-containing gas may also be introduced into the
wastewater. Butane, because of its relatively high solubility, rapidly
dissolves in the wastewater, thereby significantly increasing the
heterogeneous microbial community and heterotrophic microbial population.
This enhanced microbial population may rapidly absorb and mineralize
materials in the wastestream. After an initial growth phase, the organic
matter available in the wastewater effluent may be rapidly decreased,
thereby reducing the amount of BOD, TDS, sludge and other pollutants. In
addition, the use of butane reduces noxious odors associated with
municipal wastewater sludges and other types of wastewater.