MBBR

A MBBR (Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor) and reactor biomass immobilized

moving bed is a facility for the biological treatment of waste water
treatment.
The immobilized biomass reactors moving bed are part of the family of
immobilized biomass systems to removable media, which are replacing
the traditional activated sludge processes in wastewater biotreatment
polluted.
Contents [hide]
1 Mechanism
2 Type realization
3 Configuring the system
4 Features
5 Types of plants
5.1 Reactors biphasic
5.2 Three-phase Reactors
6 Benefits
7 Disadvantages
8 Applications
9 Bibliography
10 See also
Mechanism [edit]

The reactors of the type MBBR are formed by tanks (bioreactors) in which
microorganisms flourish on support means dispersed and suspended in
the wastewater being treated.
The biofilm that forms on these supports is a function of the organic load
associated with the incoming wastewater.
Unlike other processes in biomass adherent, media in this case are free to
move and therefore do not maintain the fixed nor the mutual positions nor
those with respect to the reactor.

The growth of a biofilm on a support is the result of the interaction

between type processes and biological processes of transport of the
substrates.
In particular the formation of biofilm is mainly due to the growth of the
microbial cells and the production of extracellular polymers (in general is
negligible contribution of the mass in suspension which grows to the
support itself).
The development of the film varies so as a function of composition of the
wastewater and transport processes; by the latter depends on the
availability of substrates for micro-organisms within the biofilm.
The progressive thickening of the film, one part influence the diffusion of
organic substrates and oxygen, on the other determines, as a function of
the hydrodynamic characteristics of the reactor, the partial detachment of
the film from the media, through the phenomenon which is usually
referred to as " detachment of the film naked. "
In particular, this happens for different reasons: predation by organisms
such as protozoa or metazoa, shear forces induced by the flow of water
tangential to the film, abrasion due to impacts reciprocal be undergone by
the media where it is present the film (in bed processes Mobile),
spontaneous detachment or collapsing when deep zones of the biofilm are
realized limiting conditions of oxygen and substrates.
Type realization [edit]

The MBBR reactors can be manufactured with or without recirculation of

the sludge from the secondary settler.
If it is not provided for recirculation, the immobilized biomass reactors are
defined
MBBR pure: since there is no recirculation of activated sludge, the
bioreactor uses pure biomass adherent to removable media;
MBBR ibridio a mixed biomass (adherent + suspended) - from IFAS
Integrated Fixed-Film Acrivated Sludge: in the aeration tank is also present
in activated sludge osspensione that is not adhering to any support
System configuration [edit]

The moving bed reactors are constituted by tanks inside which are
maintained in motion support elements (carrier), which may be made of
various materials, and which he develops the biological film.

The movement of the elements is ensured by the system of air injection or

by mechanical mixers; this guarantees the realization of reactors to
complete mixing, then it reduces the presence of zones hydraulically
death and it makes the most of the available volume.
The tanks are equipped with appropriate grids to prevent entrainment and
the leak of elements from the reactor.
The effluent of the bioreactor flows into the secondary settlement tank in
which the sludge is separated from the liquid phase.
Depending on the type of plant the sludge taken from the bottom of the
settling tanks is pumped or entirely (MBBR pure) and partially (MBBR
hybrid) towards the treatment of the sludge line of the purifier.
Features [edit]

The main features of the moving bed reactors can be summarized as

follows:
operate continuously, are not subject to clogging, due to their high degree
of vacuum, and therefore do not require backwashing;
have limited load losses, since it does not have the formation of
preferential paths between the supports;
have a good versatility in the management phase: it is possible to vary the
rate of filling (always) and the ratio of recirculation of sludge (in reactors
hybrids).
Types of plants [edit]

The MBBR systems can be represented in a schematic way as reactors

biphasic (liquid phase and solid supports) or triphasic reactors (liquid
phase, gaseous and solid supports).
Biphasic reactors [edit]
In the moving bed reactors biphasic the filling medium is in solid free
movement within the liquid phase. This configuration lends itself to anoxic
reactors made to obtain the denitrification reactors for anaerobic or faces
the removal of phosphorus. In both cases, the handling of the supports is
obtained by the installation of mechanical mixers.
Three-phase reactors [edit]
The bed reactors Mobile triphasic are characterized by the simultaneous
presence of the solid phase (media), of the liquid phase and gaseous (air

or pure oxygen). The handling is ensured dall'insufflazione of air through

speakers placed at the bottom of the tub.
The patented processes are numerous and differ mainly used for filling
bodies that vary in material, shape, density and specific surface area
(processes Captor, Linpor, Flocor-RMP, Natrix, Kaldnes KMT).
Advantages [edit]

The Advantages of MBBR technology are:

Easy to use for upgrading activated sludge plants;
primary sedimentation is not essential;
footprint smaller than that of activated sludge plant;
limited load losses.
Disadvantages [edit]

The disadvantages of the MBBR technology are represented by:

opportunity to perform at the end of a sieving process;
aeration bubbles with medium to large;
limited control of the process.
Applications [edit]

The main applications include wastewater treatment, residential and

industrial. The MBBR systems are particularly effective for the removal of
nitrogen and phosphorus and organic carbon (COD).
The processes that are established are, depending on the types patented
used, type of biological aerobic, anoxic or anaerobic.
The phases are:
removal of organic matter: biological treatment, grinding and refining;
Nitrification: oxidation of organic nitrogen compounds in the reduced state
carried out by autotrophic bacteria;
denitrification: removal of nitrogen compounds present in solution in the
form of NO3-and NO2-(produced by nitrification previous) by denitrifying
bacteria.

MBBR technology developed are used in municipal intensive systems,

extensive lagoons, fish farms, food industries, paper mills and chemical
plants.
In some cases they are side by side systems more widely to enhance the
effect of treatment.
The MBBR technology is still not widespread in Italy, while increasing
applications especially in northern Europe, is indicated for the adaptation
of existing systems thanks to the simplicity of implementation and
management that characterizes it.
References [edit]

This page is maintained in part or in full by the relevant tab of the site
novambiente.it licensed under the Creative Commons CC-BY-3.0
External links [edit]

Imhoff tank
Activated sludge
Nitrification of wastewater
Denitrification of wastewater
Bacteria bed
Rotating Biological
Phytoremediation
Impoundment