Why choose MBBR technology to improve wastewater treatment?

In both municipal and industrial settings, dealing with organic matter in wastewater can be challenging. With increasingly stringent regulations regarding treated wastewater, municipalities and commercial/industrial establishments are looking for technologies that meet environmental requirements. For organic matter, integrating a biological wastewater treatment process such as MBBR technology is one of the most effective methods. Of course, many cities, towns, communities, and businesses already have such a process in place to treat their wastewater. However, many of these systems, especially those that have been in place for some time, can be improved to improve treatment efficiency and reduce operating costs.

An important article explaining How MBBR technology works . It is also important to understand The advantages and disadvantages of using MBBR technology.

Integrating MBBR technology to combine the advantages of two leading technologies.

One of the easiest and most effective ways to improve existing biological systems is to integrate the moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) process. These systems take aspects of two other treatment systems to benefit from their advantages without their disadvantages. One of these systems is the activated sludge process (ASP), and the other is the trickling filter. The MBBR system takes the suspended media concept from ASP, while also extracting it from the fixed membrane side of the trickling filters.

Why choose MBBR technology to improve your existing system?

So, why should you choose an MBBR treatment process to improve your existing biological wastewater treatment system?

Upgrading existing systems can be difficult and expensive if you’re implementing a new unit. It requires clearing space, rerouting lines, and purchasing appropriate materials. On the other hand, MBBR systems make these changes easier and more cost-effective. The units are smaller than most other treatment systems, thanks to their large surface area and specialized, low-volume biofilm carriers. They can be easily installed into existing ASP processes with direct operation. They also typically require no chemical additives, and the media and biofilms can last for years, nearly a decade or more, without needing to be replaced.

Read also: Everything You Need to Know About the Functions of Moving Bed Biofilm MBBR

Advantages of No Recirculation

Another reason for its ease of implementation is the lack of recirculation lines.

This is one of the advantages of fixed-membrane MBBR systems. Recirculation requires additional piping, pumps, and energy, so there are no additional costs associated with these additional recirculation processes.

Processes that require recirculation typically produce more sludge in the purification phase, meaning more sludge to be disposed of. This also means that the overall efficiency of the reactor is not dependent on how well the effluent settles. There is also potential to improve the efficiency of sludge recirculation processes.

Improved Sludge Settlement and Retention Times

MBBR systems improve the settling characteristics of sludge in the clarifier and also allow for better sedimentation.

Moving bed biofilm technology also improves retention times compared to other biological wastewater treatment processes.

The Concept of Retention Times: A Balance Between HRT and SRT

The concept of retention times is a double-edged sword in biological wastewater treatment. On the one hand, there is the hydraulic retention time (HRT), which is the time the effluent undergoes treatment. On the other hand, there is the sludge/solids retention time (SRT), which is the time the sludge/solids unit remains within the reactor and is able to metabolize organic matter.

With MBBR, these times are lower and higher than with other processes, respectively. The shorter HRT is due to the higher contact surface area and concentration of bacteria within the biofilm on the media carriers. The longer retention time is due to the biofilm growing attached to the surface, meaning it cannot leave the reactor as in suspended solids processes. Therefore, an MBBR unit can be added to improve a wastewater treatment system without sacrificing significant additional time or solids, depending on the configuration of the existing treatment system.

MBBR technology as a Smart and Cost-Effective Solution

Therefore, if your current system is not operating at its maximum capacity, incorporating an MBBR process may be a cost-effective and wise decision to meet treatment standards. This wastewater treatment process can be added before the activated sludge tank to compensate for and remove the biological demand (BOD) and suspended solids (TSS) that are missing from the activated sludge treatment process. It can also be integrated into a new or retrofitted wastewater treatment system, whether municipal or commercial/industrial.

The compact MBBR unit can be installed quickly and easily without significant construction costs. Once installed, it requires minimal operation and maintenance. Using MBBR can be a great way to improve your existing biological wastewater treatment process.

Reducing your carbon footprint and supporting environmental sustainability

MBBR technology contributes to sustainability by:

• Reducing energy consumption: No powerful pumps are required to recirculate the sludge, reducing electricity consumption by up to 30% compared to traditional activated sludge systems.
• Reducing waste: A 20-40% reduction in sludge production reduces disposal costs and environmental impacts.
• Water reuse: The quality of the treated water is improved to the point where it can be reused for industrial or agricultural irrigation, supporting the circular economy.

Flexibility in Dealing with Fluctuations in Organic Loads

MBBR systems have a unique ability to adapt to:

• Seasonal Peaks: Such as increased organic loads in tourist facilities during busy seasons.
• Toxic shocks: Thick biofilms resist toxic substances (such as heavy metals) better than suspended microorganisms in activated sludge systems.
• Changes in pollutant concentration: Biomass distribution across carriers ensures stable performance even with sharp fluctuations.

Advanced applications in nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus)

MBBR systems can be modified to address excess nutrient problems through:

• Simultaneous nitrification-denitrification: Carriers provide multiple microbial environments (aerobic and anaerobic) on the same surface, allowing nitrogen removal in a single reactor.
• Integrated chemical coagulation: Adding simple steps to remove phosphorus without the need for separate units.

Recent technological developments in MBBR technology:

• Smart carriers: Media coated with nanomaterials to increase bacterial adhesion and reduce biomass loss.
• Automated control: IoT sensors to monitor oxygen and pollutant concentrations in real time, with automatic adjustment of air and water flow.
• Hybrid Designs: Combining MBBR with Membrane Technology (MBR) to Achieve Near-Drinking Water Quality.

Tips for Designing an Effective MBBR technology

• Selecting the Right Stocks: Ensure stock density (typically 50-70% of the reactor volume) matches the expected organic load.
• Improve Aeration: Use fine air diffusers to ensure efficient oxygen delivery to the biofilm.
• Monitoring Performance: Conduct periodic MLSS and SVI analyses to avoid overloading or under-aeration.

The Future of MBBR technology in Water Treatment

• Integration with Renewable Energy: Operating reactors with solar energy in remote areas.
• Artificial Intelligence: Using algorithms that predict system efficiency and suggest automatic improvements.
• New Applications: Wastewater treatment in space facilities or disaster-stricken areas.

Conclusion

The benefits of MBBR are not limited to improving efficiency and reducing costs; they also extend to supporting environmental sustainability and opening new horizons for water treatment in the face of global challenges. Whether you’re upgrading an old system or building a new facility, MBBR offers an innovative solution that meets today’s needs and adapts to tomorrow’s requirements.