The Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) is an innovative wastewater treatment process that any company needing wastewater purification should consider. Industries across various sectors must treat the wastewater they produce to recycle it or discharge it into natural water bodies. The challenge for these industries lies in finding wastewater treatment processes that are both efficient and effective.
The MBBR process saves space, is easy to operate, has low maintenance costs, can effectively withstand shock loads, and efficiently treats wastewater. Moreover, it is a natural biological process that can operate in both anaerobic and aerobic environments, with high treatment capacity and minimal environmental impact. This article will provide a more detailed introduction to MBBR, explaining its advantages as well as some potential disadvantages to consider.
What is MBBR Wastewater Treatment?
The Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor is a biological wastewater treatment process, meaning it is a natural process that utilizes biofilm to remove waste from wastewater. Microorganisms attached to media consume unwanted waste, leaving the water cleaner.
This technology was first proposed in the late 1980s by Professor Hallvard degaard at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Since then, it has become a popular means of wastewater treatment due to its significant benefits. The process provides a safe and environmentally sustainable way to remove organic substances, measured in terms of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), as well as achieving nitrification and denitrification.
Advantages of MBBR Biological Treatment of Wastewater
There are several key advantages of an MBBR wastewater treatment system. These advantages make the biofilm reactor process the best choice for some facilities over traditional processes such as membrane bioreactor or activated sludge.
Perfect Wastewater Solution for Space Constraints
One major advantage of MBBR is its small physical footprint. In fact, MBBR is known for its compact size compared to other biological water treatment methods. The same volume of wastewater flow can be treated by an MBBR tank that occupies only a fraction of the space required by a tank used for a trickling filter or activated sludge process.
If a facility needs to increase its wastewater treatment capacity, MBBR tanks are an excellent option to consider, as they can easily be added to the existing system without occupying significant space. Existing tanks can also be retrofitted for use as MBBR aeration tanks.
Easy to Use for Inexperienced Plant Operators
Another advantage of biofilm reactors is their ease of operation. Although the science behind this process may be somewhat complex, the process itself is straightforward.
Companies that produce wastewater need to determine several factors to calculate the most effective design for their MBBR system. Once the correct design has been determined, operating the system is relatively simple. Because the system is flexible and can respond to changes easily, the operator rarely needs to make adjustments.
Another advantage of MBBR is that it requires little maintenance.
Unlike other systems that often require maintenance actions to keep the system operating, MBBR systems tend to function efficiently and effectively on their own with minimal intervention.
Resistant to Shock Loads
MBBR systems offer flexibility and can adjust to varying loads effectively. This means they can resist shock loads effectively. Because MBBR systems draw on the benefits of both fixed film and suspended growth biological processes, they can handle high organic loads without being adversely affected by shock loads or other drastic changes.
Works Quickly With a Low Hydraulic Retention Time
Hydraulic retention time (HRT) is the measure of how much time a water treatment system takes to effectively treat the influent. For some systems, this can be a long time, resulting in slow processing rates. When it comes to MBBR systems, their design enables them to work quickly, achieving a relatively low HRT. In most cases, the HRT for MBBR systems is just a few hours or less.
Disadvantages of MBBR Wastewater Treatment
As with any possible solution, MBBR also involves some disadvantages. The disadvantages of an MBBR system include:
Accumulation of Carriers:
In practice, it's common for carriers to accumulate in localized areas due to the uplifting effect of aeration and water flow. To mitigate this issue, improvements in the layout of aeration pipelines and the structure of the reactor are necessary. A reactor's structure largely determines its hydraulic characteristics. In practical engineering design, optimizing the construction and hydraulic characteristics of the reactor through extensive testing can reduce energy consumption and further enhance the economic benefits of MBBR.
Clogging:
While outlets of MBBR reactors are often equipped with grates or grids to prevent carrier loss, they are prone to clogging. In practical engineering, active grates can be installed for periodic manual cleaning, or air backwash devices can be set up to prevent clogging.
Industries That Would Benefit From MBBR Wastewater Treatment
Any industry that must treat or recycle the wastewater it produces can benefit from an MBBR system. Several industries that can effectively use MBBR to treat their wastewater include the textile industry, chemicals manufacturing, food and beverage industry, and municipal sewage plants.
Finding the best MBBR system for your application
A well-designed MBBR system can save a company space, money, and time while providing exceptionally effective water treatment capabilities. With MBBR process design services from Aquasust, wastewater treatment plants can find solutions to improve their current systems and enhance their overall efficiency.
For the best MBBR technology has to offer, consider Aquasust's MBBR. The design of Aquasust MBBR incorporates advanced fluid dynamics, biofilm, and aeration integration. This system can be customized to fit the needs of any wastewater treatment facility.
To learn more about what this system might look like for your facility, request an MMBR system quote today. You can also contact a representative who would be happy to answer your questions concerning MBBR and other wastewater treatment methods. Aquasust is a company you can trust for the very best in modern wastewater treatment plant equipment.