Sequencing Batch

Reactor
History
SBRs are used all over the world and
have been around since the 1920s.
Widely used by the late 1970s,
especially for smaller communities

Sequencing Batch Reactor Process
Utilizes a fill-and-draw reactor with
complete mixing during the batch
reaction step and where subsequent
steps of aeration and clarification
occur in same tank.
Major Phase in SBR Operations Cycle
Fill


React


Settle


Decant


Idle


Fill - SBR Operations Cycle
The basin receives raw wastewater. The influent
brings food to the microbes in the activated
sludge, creating an environment for biochemical
reactions to take place.
Mixing and aeration can be varied during the fill
phase to create the following three different
scenarios, Static Fill, Mixed Fill and Aerated Fill

Fill - SBR Operations Cycle
Static Fill - there is no mixing or aeration while the
influent wastewater is entering the tank.
Mixed Fill - mechanical mixers are active, but the
aerators remain off.
Aerated Fill - both the aerators and the mechanical
mixing unit are activated.
React - SBR Operations Cycle
This phase allows for further reduction or
"polishing" of wastewater parameters
No wastewater enters the basin and the
mechanical mixing and aeration units are on.
Most of the carbonaceous BOD removal occurs in
the react phase.
Settle - SBR Operations Cycle
During this phase, activated sludge is allowed to
settle under quiescent conditions.
The activated sludge tends to settle as a flocculent
mass and is called the sludge blanket.
Anoxic/anaerobic conditions are created for
denitrification and biological phosphorous removal.
Settle - SBR Operations Cycle
Sludge Blanket
Decant - SBR Operations Cycle
A decanter is used to remove the clear supernatant
effluent.
Once the settle phase is complete, a signal is sent
to the decanter to initiate the opening of an
effluent-discharge valve.
A floating or fixed type decanter is used to remove
the clarified supernatant from the tank.
Decant - SBR Operations Cycle
Fixed Decanter Floating Decanter
Idle - SBR Operations Cycle
This step occurs between the decant and the fill
phases.
During this phase, a small amount of activated
sludge at the bottom of the SBR basin is
pumped out a process called wasting.
SBR Operations Cycle
Typical cycle may consists of (3h fill, 2h aeration, 0.5h settle, 0.5h decant)
Max Volume
(%)
100 - 35
100
100 - 35
35 - 25
25 100
SBR Animation
Continuous - Flow Systems
SBR facilities commonly consist of two or more
basins that operate in parallel but single basin
configurations under continuous-flow
conditions.
One tank receives flow while the other
completes its treatment cycle.
Design Parameter
Type of
Reactor
SRT, d
F/M,
kg BOD / kg
MLSS - d
Volume
Loading
kg BOD/
m
3
d
MLSS,
mg / L
Total - h
RAS
% of
Influent

BOD
Removal
Efficiency,
%

Batch 10 - 30 0.01 - 0.10 0.1 0.3 2000 - 5000 15 40 N / A 85 - 95
Advantages
Process is simplified.
Compact facility.
Operation is flexible; nutrient removal can be
accomplished by operational changes.
Can be operated as a selector process to
minimize sludge bulking potential.
Limitation
Process control more complicated.
High peak flow can disrupt operations.
Batch discharge may require equalization prior
to filtration and disinfection
Higher maintenance skills.
Some design use less efficient aeration devices.
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