Process and engineering improvements to rotating biological contactor design

2000 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 137-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Griffin ◽  
G.E. Findlay
Keyword(s):  
Robust Design ◽  
Rotating Biological Contactor ◽  
Small Communities ◽  
Rotor Design ◽  
Widespread Adoption ◽  
Engineering Problems ◽  
Rotating Biological Contactors

The numerous process and operational advantages of using Rotating Biological Contactors to treat the flows of sewage from small communities are well documented, but more widespread adoption of the technology has been hindered by inadequate design and engineering which has led to excessive mechanical failures. The mechanical problems have tended to be interrelated with process requirements and both required addressing before a robust design able to achieve the required performance and 20 year asset life was achieved. The performance of plants with an improved rotor design (marketed as Bistar) is compared with plants with rotors by other manufacturers and found to be comparable. M+E costs have not been shown to increase as a result of more stringent specification. Other engineering problems including stormwater separation and division of small flows have also been addressed.

Operational Performance of Package Sewage Treatment Plants in North West England

1990 ◽  
Vol 22 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 25-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. E. Greaves ◽  
B. Thorp ◽  
R. F. Critchley
Keyword(s):  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Operational Performance ◽  
Rotating Biological Contactor ◽  
Small Communities ◽  
Sewage Treatment Plants ◽  
North West ◽  
Electricity Costs ◽  
Rotating Biological Contactors

North West Water Authority owns and operates 21 rotating biological contactors and 7 package extended aeration plants. The rotating biological contactors have performed effectively, reliably and cheaply. Site visits are required up to three times a week for simple routine maintenance, whilst desludging is required periodically, typically 3 to 9 times a year. The prefabricated extended aeration plants generally perform well but typically with more demanding operational requirements and higher capital and electricity costs than rotating biological contactors. The Authority has concluded that the rotating biological contactor is the primary option for sewage treatment for small communities.

Performance Evaluation of Rotating Biological Contactor Process

1987 ◽  
Vol 19 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 483-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Tanaka ◽  
A. Oshima ◽  
B. E. Rittmann
Keyword(s):  
Field Study ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Fine Particles ◽  
Secondary Treatment ◽  
Liquid Separation ◽  
Small Communities ◽  
Acceptable Quality ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Rotating Biological Contactors ◽  
Final Effluent

Rotating Biological Contactors (RBC) have only recently been introduced in Japan as a means of providing secondary treatment to domestic wastewaters. The use of RBCs appears to be particularly attractive for small communities because of their low energy demand and reduced O-M requirements. To evaluate and demonstrate the feasibility of the process as an alternative to conventional secondary treatment, a field study was performed at three municipal facilities in Japan. A single, fundamental model of biofilm kinetics was shown to be capable of accurately predicting soluble BOD5 removals throughout the RBC. Model and field study results indicated that effluent soluble BOD5 should be 3 to 7 mg/l for conventional loads. Approximately 30 percent of the RBC effluent solids were found to be fine particles having a settling velocity of less than 10 to 15 m/day and which exerted 60 to 70 percent of the final effluent total BOD5. Therefore, special attention must he given to solids-liquid separation of the RBC effluent to ensure that the final effluent is of acceptable quality. Several solids-liquid separation methods, including direct screening of RBC effluent, were shown to be feasible in upgrading the effluent quality.

scholarly journals Rotating Biological Contactor for Biological Treatment of Poultry Processing Plant Wastewater Using Saccharomyces Cerevisiae

2008 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr. Gashem Najafpour ◽  
Punita Nook Naidu ◽  
Azlina Harun Kamaruddin
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Biological Treatment ◽  
Sodium Hydroxide Solution ◽  
Ph Control ◽  
Processing Plant ◽  
Rotating Biological Contactor ◽  
Attached Growth ◽  
Poultry Processing ◽  
Rotating Biological Contactors ◽  
High Level

Biological treatment using attached growth on a rotating biological contactor(RBC) was implemented for wastewater from poultry industries, which containsa high level of organic compounds due to the slaughtering, rendering of bonesand fats, and plucking processes. The wastewater mostly consists of proteins,blood, fat and feathers. Nutrients available in the wastewater may enhance thegrowth of microorganisms, thus, it allows biological treatment to be usedeffectively. On the other hand, there are problems associated with biologicaltreatment processes such as nutrients promoting algae growth. The controlvariables for the attached growth in RBC were wastewater detention time, effectivesurface for attached growth, disc submerged level in the wastewater basin, shaftrotation for aeration, pH control and supplementary nutrients. The attachedgrowth resulted to high COD refPoval. The best treatment was obtained after 24hours with 29 % disc submergence level. The effective surface area for cellgrowth was 10.7 m2 using 60 discs mounted on a shaft. The microorganismused for the attached microbial growth was Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The shaftwas rotating at 11 rpm. The treatment was improved with the addition of 1 v/vof 0.1 molar sodium hydroxide solution to the wastewater for controlling pH. A91 % COD removal was obtained with RBC operating at optimum conditions,with a DO concentration of 3.98 mg/l.Key words: Rotating biological contactors, Aerobic treatment, Poultry processing wastewater,Saccharomyces cereuisiae,Attached growth.

scholarly journals Performance and reliability comparison of French vertical flow treatment wetlands with other decentralized wastewater treatment technologies in tropical climates

2020 ◽  
Vol 82 (8) ◽  
pp. 1701-1709
Author(s):  
Rémi Lombard-Latune ◽  
Florent Leriquier ◽  
Chafatayne Oucacha ◽  
Lucas Pelus ◽  
Gérald Lacombe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Treatment Wetlands ◽  
Vertical Flow ◽  
Small Communities ◽  
Decentralized Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Treatment Technologies ◽  
Rotating Biological Contactors ◽  
Overseas Territories ◽  
Flow Treatment

Abstract When implementing a sanitation system, the selection of treatment process can be difficult. Beyond removal efficiency and effluent concentrations, reliability should be taken into account. This study compares reliability of French vertical flow treatment wetlands (F-VFTW) with the four main decentralized wastewater treatment technologies in small communities in the French Overseas Territories (FOT). Analysis of 963 regulatory self-monitoring sampling campaigns performed on 213 wastewater treatment plants show that operational disruptions due to sludge loss and loss of nitrification are often reported for activated sludge technology; rotating biological contactors often suffer from weak settlement; facultative pond removal is limited by algae; and F-VFTW fulfills all the French regulatory objectives at a frequency of 90 to 95%. In addition, the data from this study are compared to a similar database from Brazil using a statistical approach (coefficient of reliability). Amongst the eight decentralized wastewater treatment technologies evaluated, F-VFTW appears to be the most appropriate for achieving the discharge standard with a reliability close to 95%. Its reliability to face both environmental (rainfall) and social (maintenance capacities) constraints is a key parameter.

Nitrate removal from groundwater using an anoxic-aerobic rotating biological contactor

1996 ◽  
Vol 34 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 323-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Mohseni-Bandpi ◽  
D. J. Elliott
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Nitrate Nitrogen ◽  
Nitrate Removal ◽  
Carbon Sources ◽  
Optimum Conditions ◽  
Rotating Biological Contactor ◽  
Nitrite Nitrogen ◽  
In Series ◽  
Rotating Biological Contactors ◽  
Final Effluent

The removal of nitrate-nitrogen from groundwater was investigated using two rotating biological contactors (RBC) in series. The first pilot plant RBC reactor was operated under anoxic condition to remove nitrate-nitrogen. A fraction of effluent of the anoxic RBC was fed to a bench scale aerobic RBC to study the degradation of residual organic carbon and oxidation of nitrite-nitrogen. The first reactor achieved a nitrate removal efficiency of 90 percent for a loading rate of 76 mg/m2.h. The corresponding effluent nitrate, nitrite and residual carbon sources concentrations amounted to 3.3, 0.34 and 3.9 mg/l, respectively. The optimum ethanol to nitrate-nitrogen (E/N) ratio was found to be 2.35. No residual ethanol and nitrite-nitrogen were observed in the final effluent under optimum conditions. Dissolved oxygen in the final effluent was found to be greater than 7 mg/l. The results of the study suggest that using a continuous anoxic-aerobic RBC is a convenient and reliable process for removal of nitrate, residual organic carbon and nitrite.

Evaluation of denitrification potential of rotating biological contactors for treatment of municipal wastewater

2005 ◽  
Vol 51 (11) ◽  
pp. 131-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Hanhan ◽  
D. Orhon ◽  
Kh. Krauth ◽  
B. Günder
Keyword(s):  
Contact Time ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Rotation Speed ◽  
Nitrate Removal ◽  
Rotating Biological Contactor ◽  
Suitable Alternative ◽  
Nutrient Limitations ◽  
Speed Range ◽  
Rotating Biological Contactors ◽  
Denitrification Process

In this study the effect of retention time and rotation speed in the denitrification process in two full-scale rotating biological contactors (RBC) which were operated parallel and fed with municipal wastewater is evaluated. Each rotating biological contactor was covered to prevent oxygen input. The discs were 40% submerged. On the axle of one of the rotating biological contactors lamellas were placed (RBC1). During the experiments the nitrate removal performance of the rotating biological contactor with lamellas was observed to be less than the other (RBC2) since the lamellas caused oxygen diffusion through their movement. The highest nitrate removal observed was 2.06 g/m2.d achieved by a contact time of 28.84 minutes and a recycle flow of 1 l/s. The rotation speed during this set had the constant value of 0.8 min−1. Nitrate removal efficiency on RBC1 was decreasing with increasing rotation speed. On the rotating biological contactor without lamellas no effect on denitrification could be determined within a speed range from 0.67 to 2.1 min−1. If operated in proper conditions denitrification on RBC is a very suitable alternative for nitrogen removal that can easily fulfil the nutrient limitations in coastal areas due to the rotating biological contactors economical benefits and uncomplicated handling.

The Rhizopur® process ten years on: a green solution for sewage treatment in small communities

2011 ◽  
Vol 63 (8) ◽  
pp. 1614-1620 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Aguilera Soriano ◽  
B. Raveneau-Champion ◽  
P. Dauthuille
Keyword(s):  
Constructed Wetlands ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Small Towns ◽  
Operational Experience ◽  
Trickling Filter ◽  
Rotating Biological Contactor ◽  
Sludge Treatment ◽  
Small Communities ◽  
Green Solution

Ten years ago the Rhizopur® process was conceived in order to treat sewage from small towns. Since 1999 when the first Rhizopur® plant was commissioned, the number of facilities has been growing steadily and today there are more than fifty Rhizopur® facilities in France. This process combines three existing technologies, i.e. biofilm, infiltration/percolation and mineralisation in constructed wetlands, to conduct both wastewater and sludge treatment in a very cost-effective fashion. A trickling filter or a rotating biological contactor is combined with constructed wetlands to produce a high quality effluent, i.e. BOD5<20 mg/l, COD<100 mg/l and TSS<30 mg/l, and to achieve high removal efficiencies, i.e. BOD5 removal >90%, COD removal >80% and TSS removal >90%. Nitrification can also be achieved by increasing the size of the trickling filter. Part of the success of this process has been its modularity and compactness that have resulted in its easiness for extension, as well as its capacity to blend with the environment. The characteristics of this process make of it an appropriate solution for sewage treatment in the developing countries. The objective of this work is to give an overview of the performance and features of this process according to the operational experience gained during the last 10 years.

Rotating biological contactor-solid contact system for the treatment of wastewater from small communities

1997 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 109-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe d'Antonio ◽  
Luigi Mendia ◽  
Francesco Pirozzi ◽  
Arturo Polese
Keyword(s):  
Removal Efficiency ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Phase Behaviour ◽  
Municipal Sewage ◽  
Tertiary Treatment ◽  
Solid Contact ◽  
Rotating Biological Contactor ◽  
Small Communities ◽  
Effluent Quality ◽  
Fixed Film

In Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC) WasteWater Treatment Plants (WWTP) the fixed film unit effluent quality can be improved by means of a biological refinement system, consisting of an aerated Solid Contact (SC) unit. This process, known as an RBC/SC system, is an alternative to other tertiary treatment systems and can be used with good results in the new WWTPs of small communities and in upgrading existing RBC plants whose effluents no longer respect the established standards. The results of an experimental study on an RBC/SC dual biological system fed with clarified municipal sewage are presented and used to validate a new concept mathematical model of each system's phase behaviour. RBC removal efficiency proved to be near stable for total COD while it tended to decrease for particulate COD at higher load values. The aerated SC phase allowed the overall removal efficiency to be improved; the main advantage was observed in the suspended matter removal increase (averaging 26%), while for total and soluble COD the increases averaged 18 and 17% respectively.

scholarly journals Mechanical evolution of the rotating biological contactor into the 21st century

2003 ◽  
Vol 217 (3) ◽  
pp. 189-219
Author(s):  
D Mba
Keyword(s):  
21St Century ◽  
Mechanical Design ◽  
Rotating Biological Contactor ◽  
Media Type ◽  
Mechanical Evolution ◽  
Operational Life ◽  
Rotating Biological Contactors ◽  
Main Components ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Insight Into

This paper presents a review on the evolution of the mechanical design of rotating biological contactors (RBCs) within the UK. The findings documented have been taken from the biggest mechanical survey on RBCs ever undertaken worldwide and focuses on 300 operational units. The paper looks at the main components of the RBC and discusses the evolution of each member. Mechanical deficiencies associated with each design are briefly presented, giving an insight into reasons for improvements. This is the only known document that details changes in design philosophy employed over the last 30 years, with illustrative examples. For the purpose of this review, the mechanical evolution of the RBC is focused on three primary sections: media panel designs, media support structures, and auxiliary support systems including bearings, power units, and transmission systems. It is shown that the evolution of media panels has largely been directed by economies of manufacture and operational requirements. However, advances in the mechanical design of the RBC supporting structure, while dependent on media type, are largely influenced by overcoming known mechanical deficiencies as well as increasing operational life. This paper depicts the current technology and practice of UK-based manufacturers and details reasons for mechanical deficiencies.

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