Engenharia de Sistemas

de Tratamento II

Rotating Biological Contactors (RBC)

Biodiscs
M. Isabel Capela

Mestrado Integrado em Engenharia do Ambiente

Mestrado Integrado em Engenharia Química
Mestrado em Biotecnologia
Universidade de Aveiro
Rotating Biological contactors (RBC)
Biodiscs

 RBC is a reactor similar to the trickling

filters, but in which the biological film
develops on the surface of rotating discs
partially submerged in the effluent to be
treated.
 RBC are considered modular units with relatively low operating and
maintenance costs, being one of the most appropriate treatment
processes for small communities.
 RBC can achieve high degrees of nitrification without a
considerable increase in the initial investment.
 From an economic point of view, RBC need for equipment, an initial
investment higher than a system using trickling filters or activated
sludge, because their modular construction does not allow
economies of scale.
 Constitution and functioning
of RBC
 A RBC unit consists essentially of a series of equally spaced discs
(2-4 m diameter), rigidly connected to a rotating horizontal shaft, and
partially submerged in the wastewater contained in the tank (% of
submersion is ~ 40%).
 The rotation speed is slow (about
1-2 rpm), however ensuring the
removal of the excess biomass
produced.

 The discs in RBC are grouped in

compartments, separated by baffles.
 The biofilm is exposed to the
wastewater only part of the time
Parameters that affect performance
i) Rotational rate
The rotational rate will influence:
 The periodicity of the contact between the biofilm and the wastewater
 The retention time of the biofilm above the waterline
 The O2 transfer rate to the free surface of the wastewater in the tank and to
the liquid film adhering to the biofilm during the exposure to the air
 The degree of mixing of the contents of the tank on each compartment
 The thickness of the biofilm
Media surface area

ii) Organic and hydraulic load (g BOD5 / m2.d and m3 / m2.d)

Due to the variability of the BOD5 concentration in wastewaters, it is advisable to
use organic loads instead of hydraulic loads
Parameters that affect performance
iii) Hydraulic retention time (HRT)
 The hydraulic retention time is the time that the wastewater remains in the tank
containing the discs.
 In RBC, increasing the hydraulic retention time (HRT) per compartment, the
biomass will be subject to a greater variation in the concentration of the substrate in
successive compartments, causing a slower biodegradation.
 Decreasing the hydraulic retention time
(HRT) and keeping the quality of the
effluent constant, there is a need for a
larger surface area of the disc and
therefore a higher construction cost of the
equipment.

Correct sizing implies the choice of an HRT

that addresses both extreme situations.
Parameters that affect performance
iv) Number of compartments (stages)

 The efficiency on the

removal of organic matter
increases with the
increase in the number of
compartments for a given
RBC.

 In practice, with 3 or 4
CSTR reactors in series, it
is possible to obtain
substrate removal
percentages similar to
those obtained for a plug
flow reactor.
Parameters that affect performance
v) Temperature
Temperature affects the mechanisms involved in the substrate removal by a RBC:
 Substrate removal rate
 Rate of O2 transfer (change in O2 concentration gradient due to variation in O2
saturation concentration in the effluent).
 Rate of O2 transfer and substrate (change in diffusivities for O2 and substrate)

Three ranges of temperature values can be established with a different

influence on the overall treatment efficiency:
- T < 15 °C: the efficiency of substrate removal decreases with decreasing
temperature.
- 15 °C < T < 30 °C: there is no significant variation in the efficiency with
increasing temperature.
- T > 35 °C: decreased efficiency with increased temperature (lower O2
saturation concentration and less efficient thermophilic bacteria).
Oxygen transfer
The rotation of the discs in a RBC aims to produce two effects:
• Bring the effluent into contact with the air by dragging a film of liquid, causing
a better aeration in addition to the constant renewal of the liquid film
• Provide turbulence on the liquid surface increasing the oxygen transfer

The main sources of oxygen are:

• Oxygen absorption by the liquid film in the air exposure cycle
• Turbulence created on the free surface of the liquid when the rotating disc
breaks the surface
• Absorption by the free surface of the liquid

Dissolved O2 (DO) in the reactor ≥ 2 mg / l

Nitrification only occurs when the

concentration of DO is higher than 2 mg / l
RBC
ADVANTAGES OF RBC PROCESSES
 Simple operation
 Low energy requirements
 Nitrification
 Few nuisances
 Wide flow range
 Large biological operation
 Low head loss
RBC

DISADVANTAGES OF RBC PROCESSES

 Sensitivity to industrial wastes

 Lack of flexibility
 Limited experience and training
 Not all materials are locally available
 High operation cost
 Odour problem may occur
RBC (Mathematical Models)

Simplifying hypotheses:
• Steady state is when a constant concentration of biomass is
maintained (microorganisms are dislodged at the same rate as
they are formed)
• Turbulence is sufficient to keep microorganisms dislodged from
the biofilm in suspension
• Fixed or suspended microorganisms contribute to the removal
of substrate
• Oxygen and other nutrients are present in excess, in order to
consider the organic substrate as a growth-limiting nutrient.
• The thickness of the liquid film is uniform in the aerated sector
Modeling in RBC’s
RBCs simulation models can be divided into two broad categories:
theoretical models and empirical models.

Empirical models are usually based on numerical

analysis of experimental results (do not explain the
mechanisms involved in the biodegradation process and can
not be used in different conditions).

Theoretical models are based on fundamental

concepts that translate the physical and/or kinetic
mechanisms that may occur (main mechanisms: O2
transfer; substrate transfer; and reaction kinetics)
 Empirical models
Empirical models can be grouped into two types:
• Analytical models
• Graphic models

Analytical models (described by an analytical expression)

 Model from Wu et al.

The final equation of the model from Wu et al. is the following:
 Empirical models: Analytical
Model from Wu et al

where:
• V -»expressed in gpd/ft2, Q/A hydraulic load
• N -» number of compartments
• S0 -»mg/l BOD5 (effluent to be treated)
• T -» ° C

. This model has restrictions:

• Adequate oxygen transfer to the biofilm
• N≤6
• W ≤ 4 rpm
• S0 ≤ 355 mg/l BOD5
• Domestic effluent
Empirical models: Analytical
 Pöpel model
Relationship between the parameters that influence
the functioning of the RBC
where:

• So -» mg / l BOD5 (effluent to be treated)

• Ae -» total effective surface area of the discs, m2
• Si-1 -» substrate concentration at the entrance to compartment i, mg/l
of BOD5
• Si -» substrate concentration at the exit from compartment i, mg/l of
BOD5
 Empirical models: Graphic
Models presented in a graphic form usually originate from RBC
construction companies

BOD in the
BOD wastewater
removal

1/(Hydraulic Load)
Empirical models: Graphic
Stengelin model (graphic model)

Considerations:
 Fresh domestic effluent
 BOD5 values calculated as daily average values
 Primary sedimentation before the RBC unit
 2-stages treatment RBC
 % removal is obtained after secondary
sedimentation
 Empirical models: Graphic

BOD in the wastewater

BOD in the
treated
efluent

Hydraulic Load
Empirical models: Graphic
The flow rate for design is influenced by the flow peaks
Qcorrected = Q x f1

Population equivalents f1

10 000 1
5 000 a 10 000 1.1 a 1.2
1 500 a 5 000 1.2 a 1.3
400 a 1 500 1.3 a 1.5
400 1.5
Empirical models: Graphic
The surface area of the discs is influenced by the
number of compartments

Acorrigida = Acalculada x f2

N f2
2 1.0
3 0.91
4 0.87
>4 0.85
 Theoretical Models
Kornegay and Andrews model
Suspended biomass is negligible compared to fixed biomass at low retention times

In Steady State:

• Q -» m3/d
• S -» mg/l de BOD5 max = 5 d-1
• n -» number of discs in each compartment Ks = 150 – 200 mg/l
• max -» d-1 Xd = 90 g/l
• Xd -» g/m3 (concentration of the biomass in the Y = 0.3
biofilm) d = 100 µm
• d -» metros (active biofilm thickness)
• Ks -» mg/l
Biodiscs behavior

The increase in the

flowrate, Q (decrease in
hydraulic retention
time, HRT)

Increases the
concentration of BOD in
the treated effluent (Sb)
(lower efficiency)
Biodiscs behavior

The increase in the

rotational speed of the
discs, W

Increases the Decreases the

removal of concentration of
substrate (higher BOD in the treated
efficiency) effluent (Sb)
Biodiscs behavior

The increase in the size

of the discs, R0
(decrease of the
rotational speed, W)

Decreases the Increases the

removal of concentration of
substrate (lower BOD in the treated
efficiency) effluent (Sb)
Biodiscs behavior

The increase in the

percentage of
submersion (decrease of
the internal diameter of
the discs, Ri)

Increases the Decreases the

removal of concentration of
substrate (higher BOD in the treated
efficiency) effluent (Sb)
Problem
4.1. Determine the total disc area of a RBC, for the
treatment of a domestic effluent with a population of
1000 inhabitants, assuming that the effluent after
treatment has a BOD5 of 30 mg/l.

Assumption: population equivalent = 54 g BOD5/d

water consumption per inhabitant is 150 l/d

Design the RBC unit using all mathematical models

Solution for 4 models
1. Stengelin model (graphic empirical model)
N = 2, 3, 4 compartments
2. Popel model (analytical empirical model)
N = 1, 2 compartments
3. Wu model (analytical empirical model)
N = 1, 2, 3, 4 compartments
T = 5, 10, 15, 20 ºC
4. Kornegay and Andrews model (theoretical model)
N = 1, 2 compartments
Solution - Stengelin model
Stengelin model (graphic empirical model)
N = 2, 3, 4 compartments

1. Calculate S0 (BOD of the Wastewater

Data:
S0 = 54/150 g/L 1000 inhabitants
54 g BOD / hab. d
S0 = 360 mg/L 150 L / hab.d

2. Assume Se (BOD of the treated efluente) = 30 mg/L Se = 30 mg/L

3. Calculate BOD removal

Efficiency = 91.7% Efficiency = 91.7%
 Solution - Stengelin model
4. Calculate hydraulic load (Q/A)

91.7%

A/Q = 18000 m2 / (m3/min)

Solution - Stengelin model
Equivalents f1
5. Calculate Q corrected The flow rate for sizing is population
influenced by flow peaks 10 000 .
Q =Qxf 5 000 a 10 000 1,1 a 1.2
Q = 150l/(hab.d) *1000 hab corrected 1
1 500 a 5 000 1.2 a 1.3
Q = 0.104 m3/min A/Q = 18000 m2/ (m3/min) 400 a 1 500 1.3 a 1.5
400 1.5
Qcorrected = 1.4*Q
Qcorrected = 0.146 m3/min
6. Calculate total Area of discs

N f2 The surface area of the Acalculated = 18000 * Qcorrected N Area (m2)

2 1 unit is influenced by
2 2625
the number of Acalculated = 2625 m2
3 0,91 3 2389
compartments
4 0,87
A =A xf Consider peak 4 2284
>4 0,85 corrected calculated 2
flow
>4 2231
Solution - Pöpel model
Pöpel model (analytical empirical model)
N = 1, 2 compartments
Relationship between the parameters that influence the
1. N = 1 functioning of the RBC
Data:
f = 0.917 1000 inhabitants
54 g BOD / hab. d
150 L / hab.d • So -» mg/l BOD5 (wastewater)
Ae = 3797 m2 Q = 200 m3/d • Ae -» total effective surface area of the disks, m2
S0 = 360 mg/L • Si-1 -» substrate concentration at the entrance to
Se = 30 mg/L compartment i, mg/l of BOD5
2. N = 2 • Si - »substrate concentration at exit from
compartment i, mg/l of BOD5
Ae1 = Ae2 Si = 104 mg/L
N Area (m2)
Ae1 = Ae2 = 1616 m2 Ae total = 3235 m2 1 3797
2 3235
Solution – Wu et al model
Wu et al model (analytical empirical model)
N =1, 2, 3, 4 compartments
T = 5, 10, 15, 20 ºC

Example: N = 2 at 15ºC where: This model has restrictions.

V -» expressed in gpd/ft2, • Adequate oxygen transfer
Q/A hydraulic load to the biological film
S0 = 360 mg/L • N≤6
N -» number of compartments
Se = 30 mg/L S0 -» mg/l BOD5 (wastewater)
• W ≤ 4 rpm
• S0 ≤ 355 mg / l BOD5
Fração não removida = 0.083 T -» °C • Domestic effluent
1 gallon = 3.79 liters
T (ºC) N Area (m2)
Ae = 3469 m2 2 3469
15
3 1955
2 3053
20
3 1720
Solution – Kornegay and Andrews model
Kornegay and Andrews (Theoretical model)
N =1, 2 compartments Suspended biomass is negligible compared to fixed
biomass and low retention times
N=1 Steady state:
Q = 200 m3/d
S0 = 360 mg/L
Se = 30 mg/L
A = 3373 m2
N=2
Q -» m3 / d max = 5 d-1
S -» mg/l BOD5 Ks = 150 – 200 mg/l
Si = 116,4 mg/L N -» number of discs/per compartment Xd = 90 g/l
max -» d-1 Y = 0,3
A = 883 m2/stage Ks -» mg / l d = 100 µm
Xd -» g/m3 (concentration of biomass
in the biofilm)
N Area (m2) d -» meters (active thickness of
biofilm)
1 3373
2 1766
 Mathematical models
Empiric graphic Empiric analytic
Consider
N Area (m2) peak flow N Area (m2)
2 2625 1 3797
Without peak
3 2389 Total discs
flow and N=2 2 3235
A = 1875 m2
(media) surface
4 2284 area (N = 2)
>4 2231 1800-3400 m2

Empiric analytic Consider Consider

Theoretical
temperature kinetic
T (ºC) N Area (m2)
and the mechanisms N Area (m2)
2 3469
15 number of
3 1955 stages
1 3373
2 3053 Discs diameter for a 2 1766
20
3 1720 set of discs per stage