Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor
The Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor: What It Is And How It Works
The moving bed biofilm reactor is a biofilm reactor that is designed for use in water treatment facilities. Biofilm reactors may be used for the removal of organic material from water by the removal of bacteria and fungi water.
The Moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) is an advanced wastewater treatment technology, which employs the benefits of both biofilms and activated sludge processes for highly efficient wastewater treatment.
What is the MBBR process?
The MBBR process is a “wet” process, wherein the wastewater undergoes an aerobic process. An aerobic process, unlike anaerobic, treats wastewater with the help of oxygen. Anaerobic wastewater treatment, on the other hand, does not require the addition of oxygen. This requires a small amount of aeration with very low oxygen content. The MBBR method entails the use of special bacteria that help break down harmful bacteria and viruses in the wastewater. The MBBR process employs a special biofilm reactor to achieve this process. This reactor is made of steel and acts as a hydrodynamic box, which prevents bacteria from moving in any direction. The MBBR process requires very high levels of oxygen to accelerate the degrading processes.
How does the MBBR process work?
Unlike the traditional activated sludge process, MBBR requires no pressure processing or dewatering equipment and allows the release of entire sewage sludge cakes onto an agitator-based agitator that mechanically stirs up the waste sludge into a relatively thin sludge which flows through the reactor. In response to nitrogen or phosphorus retention in the biofilm, the sludge cake is inoculated with activated carbon. Carbon gas filters remove nitrogen and phosphorus. The activated carbon is then dissolved in a dilute sodium hydroxide solution (15-20 percent) to remove the remaining ammonia and phosphate from the MBBR sludge cake. The remaining sludge is allowed to pass through a membrane filter to remove organic matter and debris.
How does the MBBR process help in treatment?
It helps in reducing the usage of chemicals by utilizing a mixed combination of activated sludge, biofilm, and biology to improve the productivity of a wastewater treatment plant and achieve higher accuracy. Various advantages are associated with the MBBR process: Produces both activated sludge and biofilm. Creates the required amount of byproduct to fully support the operation of the wastewater treatment plant. Reduces the volume of solids and organic matter required in the system for treatment. Has zero fine particulates. Is it more energy efficient than other existing technology? Reduces the number of chemicals needed. How do the MBBR process works? What are the advantages of the MBBR process?
What challenges does the MBBR process face?
The MBBR process is considered to be the most cost-effective technology for conventional effluent treatment at the industrial level. It uses passive aeration in combination with biological biofilm as an effective bio-phobic method to remove arsenic and other metal ions from the wastewater. The MBBR process requires low and continuous aeration, and a capacity of approximately 100 m3/h/g for direct aeration or 50-100 m3/h/g for continuous aeration for continuous treatment to treat arsenic. The MBBR process removes the free metal ions (Fe and Cu, which are key inhibitors to aerobic biofilm formation) at high throughput without the need for carbon.
Conclusion
Wastewater treatment is difficult and time-consuming, and it may involve multiple steps which may further complicate the matter. A leading global wastewater treatment company, ADT Environnement, introduced its MBBR technology which is called “Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor” (MBBR) – which can be applied to almost any process, at any wastewater facility. About the Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor, The MBBR technology works with a biofilm process (sometimes called biofilm or grams biofilm) as a means of wastewater treatment. In this type of technology, the biofilm process is implemented at several locations for wastewater treatment.