BioSep™

BioSep™ Technology Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR)

MBBR media or BioSep™ utilized exclusively by NanoWater have an active surface area > 4000 m2/m3 which is up to six (6) times greater than any competing media available on the market today. The MBBR process is an attached growth biological wastewater treatment process. That is, the microorganisms that carry out the treatment are attached to a solid medium, as in trickling filter or RBC systems.

The MBBR process utilizes BioSep™ carriers (media) within the aeration tank to increase the amount of microorganisms available to treat the wastewater. The microorganisms consume organic material.

BioSep™ media provides increased surface area for the biological microorganisms to attach to and grow in the aeration tanks. The increased surface area reduces the footprint of the tanks required to treat the wastewater. The media is continuously agitated by bubbles from the aeration system that adds oxygen at the bottom of the first compartment of the aeration tank. The microorganisms consume organic material. When compared to conventional secondary treatment it provides superior efficiency and value

In a suspended growth biological wastewater treatment process, like the activated sludge process, the microorganisms that carry out the treatment are kept suspended in the mixed liquor in the aeration tank.

The MBBR treatment processes typically take place in a tank similar to an activated sludge aeration tank. The carrier media are kept suspended by a diffused air aeration system for an aerobic process or by a mechanical mixing system for an anoxic or anaerobic process, as illustrated in the figures below.

A sieve is typically used at the MBBR tank exit to keep the carrier media in the tank. Primary clarification is typically used ahead of the MBBR tank. Secondary clarification is also typically used, but there is no recycle activated sludge sent back into the process, because an adequate microorganism population is maintained attached to the media.

MBBR ADVANTAGE
  • Compact units with small size
  • Increased treatment capacity
  • Complete solids removal
  • Improved settling characteristics
  • Operation at higher suspended biomass
  • Concentrations resulting in long sludge retention times
  • Enhanced process stability
  • Low head loss
  • No filter channeling
  • No need of periodic backwashing
  • Reduced sludge production and no problems with sludge bulking
APPLICATIONS OF MBBR
  • Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) removal – It requires only one wastewater tank with the MBBR and clarification.
  • Nitrification – It uses two tanks one for BOD removal and the other for nitrification.
  • Denitrification – It uses four aeration tanks in this order before emptying in the clarification with pre denitrification, BOD reduction, nitrification and post denitrification.

MBBR technology is applicable in industries, marine and for municipal wastewater treatment.

MBBR vs MBR

Membrane bioreactor is based on a combination of conventional activated sludge and biofilm media. Comparison between MBR and MBB can be done using the following key criteria:

  • Capital investment of MBR is higher than of MBBR
  • MBR requirement for screening is higher than that of MBBR technology
  • MBBR system does not require chemicals in its operation like MBR system
  • MBR system is difficult to operate as compared MBBR
  • MBR requires recirculation pump and air scouring blowers which are not applicable in MBBR
  • Both systems require aeration blowers
  • In case of power shutdown, MBR can last up to 24 hours while MBBR lasts up to 10 hours after which the bacteria forms bio-cakes.
  • MBR is better in shifting of complex or toxic substances than MBBR
  • MBR effluent water quality is superior but MBBR`s is suitable for irrigation purpose only

Both are susceptible to oil and grease for MBR membrane can be cleaned well or replaced but for MBBR technology the carriers need to be changed and the plant will require a ten-day restarting time.

BioSep™ MBBR Media

BioSep™ is made from the Virgin PE. The Removal rates of BioSep™ media are up to 13 times higher than with other “conventional” carriers.

BioSep™ is a high performance MBBR carrier and provides a protected active surface area of approximately 5,500 m2/m3 for the immobilization of microorganisms which are in charge of the different biological water treatment processes.

Its application is characterized by extremely high removal rates and reliable process stability.
The pores of the BioSep™ are permanently filled with active biomass since substrate and/or oxygen can diffuse into the biofilms down to a depth of approximately 0.5 mm on both sides of chips.

BioSep™ Specifications:
  • Surface Area 5500 m2/m3
  • Height 1.1 mm
  • Diameter 30 mm

Our MBBR systems do not require a recycling of the sludge, which is the case with activated sludge systems. The MBBR system is often installed as a retrofit of current activated sludge tanks to increase the capacity of the existing system. The degree of filling of carriers can be adapted to the specific situation and the desired capacity. Thus a current treatment plant can increase its capacity without increasing the footprint by constructing new tanks. When constructing the filling degree can be set to, for example, 40% in the start, and later be increased to 70% by filling more movers. Examples of situations can be population increase in a city for a municipal wastewater treatment plant or increased wastewater production of an industrial factory.

Case Study

Indicative Quality

  • Flow Capacity : 230 m3/hr
  • pH : 6.5 – 8.5
  • BOD (mg/l) : 175 — 200
  • COD (mg/l) : 350 -400
  • TSS (mg/l) :150 – 250
  • O&G (mg/l) :     10 – 20

Indicative Quality

  • pH : 6.5 – 7.5
  • BOD (mg/l) : <  5
  • COD (mg/l) : < 25
  • TSS (mg/l) PSF : <   10
  • O&G (mg/l) :  < 1

The quantity of biomass plays a big role in the removal efficiency of the MBBR system, it can be increased through the volume of carriers per unit. The carrier’s performance needs to be proven for specific wastewater treatment for application of different cases. Design of a water treatment plant should not be based on assumption or estimation but the correct material should be used for the carrier and the volume required calibrated.MBBR technology is effective for wastewater treatment if the regulation concerning the effluent water discharge. The system is flexible in its application and can easily be relocated. Wastewater treatment as required for ecological reasons can be done using the MBBR.

NanoWater specializes in tailored water treatment solutions to meet the specific needs of our clients. We support municipal and industrial projects, remediation, food and beverage, water reuse, agriculture, power & utilities, breweries, mining, oil & gas, hotels and resorts as well as pharmaceutical industry.From conceptual design to technical O&M support, NanoWater extensive experience offers value to our customers. NanoWater commitment to innovation and applications of advanced technologies as well as the quality of execution.