The Moving Bed Bio-Reactor (MBBR) Technology is increasingly being favoured over conventional Activated Sludge (AS) systems.
This is largely due to the achievable reduction of the plant`s footprint and the ability to maintain a higher concentration of more specialized bacteria.
Whereas the AS technology relies on free-flowing bacteria flocs, the MBBR technology relies on fixed-film technology where bacteria are attached to inert biological carrier profiles (bio-elements, biomedia, biological carriers) that are retained within the reactor by screens. This eliminates the need for a return activated sludge system and reduces the requirements for subsequent filtration steps. | Commonly, the MBBR technology is favoured over AS plants when space is limited and/or costly, especially for Municipal wastewater treatment, since the MBBR components often present a higher initial investement cost per reactor volume. However, this should be balanced with the fact that the reactor volumes required for BOD removal and biological nutrient removal (BNR) are usually 40-60% of what is needed with AS technology.
For pure nitrification purposes, MBBR technology requires approximately
25-40% of the volume required by AS technology.Thus, the MBBR
technology offers a powerful alternative to AS systems for high-strength
industrial wastewater treatment and for pre- or post-treatment upgrades
in existing WWTP`s that require upgrading to meet new ammonia
discharge limits. |
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