Biological wastewater treatment

RBC
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RBC
 Rotating Biological Contactors, commonly called RBC’s, are
used in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs).
 The rotating biological contactor (RBC) is a fixed film
biological secondary treatment device.
 The basic process is similar to that occurring in the trickling
filter.
 In operation, a media, consisting of a series of circular disks
mounted side by side on a common shaft is rotated through
the wastewater flow.
 The surface of the disk is covered with a biological slime
similar to that on the media of a trickling filter.
 Main Characteristics
 Composed of multiple discs mounted on a horizontal shaft
that passes through the center of the discs
 Consists of 2 - 4 m diameter disks, closely spaced on a
rotating horizontal axis.
 Wastewater flow is perpendicular to the shaft
 The shaft rotates about 1-2 rpm (slowly).
 About 40% of the total disc area is submerged
 Biological film grows on the disc to consume organic matter
(BOD) from wastewater.
 As the shaft rotates, the biological growth (film) sorbs
organic matter from wastewater
 Oxygen is adsorbed from air to keep aerobic condition.
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 The rotation in and out of the wastewater serves to vary
the feeding cycle (starve/gorge) of the bacteria and
microorganisms that make up the biofilm.
 Multiple stages of RBC is used to achieve greater BOD5
removal
 Sloughed biological growths are removed in final
clarifiers
 Biological activities are reduced during cold weather
Design
 The main design parameter is the wastewater flow
rate per surface area of the discs.
 Is called the hydraulic loading (m3/day-m2)
 −Indirectly represents the F/M ratio
 – Wastewater flow rate is related to mass of substrate
 – Disc surface area is related to mass of microbes
 For municipal wastewater, four (4) stages are used,
but if nitrification is required, five (5) stages are
employed.
Advantage

 Low energy requirement compared to activated sludge

 Can handle high loading rate
 Ability to handle shock loadings
 Ability of multistage to achieve high degree of nitrification
 Minimal maintenance
 Simple operation
 Package configuration