{"id":115934,"date":"2022-09-03T21:37:45","date_gmt":"2022-09-04T01:37:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/savethewater.org\/?p=115934"},"modified":"2022-09-18T19:54:09","modified_gmt":"2022-09-18T23:54:09","slug":"moving-bed-biofilm-reactormbbr-used-in-wastewater-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/savethewater.org\/moving-bed-biofilm-reactormbbr-used-in-wastewater-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"Moving bed biofilm reactor(MBBR) used in wastewater treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Brigitte Rodriguez, Associate Researcher & Writer for Save The Water\u2122 | September 3, 2022<\/span><\/p>\n

Wastewater treatment has become a major issue in recent years. <\/span>However,the Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) is a major technology that has proved to be very useful. It is a municipal and wastewater treatment process created in 1980. This technology assists in the removal of organic matter and nutrients.<\/span><\/p>\n

The MBBR is recognized for its \u201c<\/span>simplicity, robustness, flexibility and compactness for the treatment of wastewater.\u201d<\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is a Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor?\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

The MBBR is a biological process that uses bacteria to decompose waste. This technology consists of a tank that features a <\/span>bio-media<\/span><\/a> (inert object facilitating the treatment of the influent) that allows bacteria to grow freely. The bacteria growing in the media in multiple layers allows the organic elements and nutrients to be removed from the waste stream and \u201cconvert the soluble material into biomass\u201d that will be removed further along the stream.<\/span><\/p>\n

The MBBR process is carried out in a tank. These \u201cMBBR aeration tanks are open at the top, exposing the water to open air, which makes this an <\/span>aerobic filtration process<\/span><\/a>.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some <\/span>advantages<\/span><\/a> of this technology are that it removes all solid particles, requires little space, and is efficient. It is also easy to operate, avoids sludge recycling, and it is not as expensive.<\/span><\/p>\n

Examples of\u00a0 MBBR Use<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

The treatment plants in\u00a0 Batesville, Arkansas,\u00a0 exhibited problems in 2008 because they exceeded the limits for their effluents. Therefore, they looked for technologies to improve their water quality and decided to apply the MBBR for this purpose. This technology was chosen because of its simplicity. <\/span>It also made it possible for the older sludge storage to be used at the same time.<\/span><\/a> The first municipal MBBR was built from 2011 to 2015.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another example of the use of MBBR is at the <\/span>Perrigo company site in Yerucham<\/span><\/a>, specifically in its wastewater treatment plant. This was because the water had high amounts of <\/span>Chemical Oxygen Demand<\/span><\/a> (COD), which measures the amount of oxygen required for the oxidation of organic matter in water. The MBBR was selected because it could be built upon in the future and sustain variations in the organic load present in the industrial effluent. The technology allowed COD levels to be reduced and within regulations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another example is that of the city of Wetaskiwin in Alberta, Canada where it was decided that the city’s <\/span>lagoon-based treatment system<\/span><\/a> would be improved<\/span>.<\/span><\/a> Therefore,\u00a0 plans were made to upgrade the treatment system using MBBR technology in order to reach the effluent limits of Alberta Environment and Parks. The improvements are expected to conclude in December 2023. In addition, this project will not only benefit public health, but will have a positive impact on the environment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other technologies that can be used<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Currently, there are several innovative technologies available for use in <\/span>sewage treatment<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n