Selection parameters
There are several parameters to consider when choosing the selection criteria for a biological treatment.
To ensure high quality water purification, the installation of several specialized purification facilities is essential. In addition, biological filters often require mechanical filtration upstream. Without this kind of installation, the biological filter will not be fully effective and will even become obsolete after a certain period of time.
Combination with other installations
The MBBR system will not be viable if only a biological filter is used. In fact, if the particles are not mechanically filtered and eliminated, they will settle on the cheaps (substrates of the treatment bacteria). Heterotrophic (carbon consuming) bacteria will grow much faster than autotrophic (nitrogen purifying) bacteria. With saturated cheaps, the action of the filtering bacteria will be much less effective. This failure will impact the development on their substrates. As a result, the MBBR system will become less effective, until it becomes inoperative. With this information, we can easily understand the necessity of a combined drum filter and MBBR in the recirculated water cycle.
Activated process mud
Activated mud technology is a process for treating wastewater and industrial wastewater. Discovered at the beginning of the last century, this technology remains effective today.
The designs are different from other types of biological treatment, but the model often remains the same:
- We can find an activation pond which acts as a biological reactor;
- A settling tank will allow the separation of solids, activated mud and treated wastewater;
- Activated wastewater return equipment to transfer activated mudto the aeration tank inlet
Oxygen requirement
To activate the bacteria and their biological functions to destroy the pollutants, some conditions are required. Among the selection criteria for biological treatment, oxygen requirement is an important factor. Therefore, it is essential to supply the process with aeration. It can be done directly by a conventional air supply or by a pure oxygen concentrator. The autotrophic bacteria will be able to carry out their metabolic function ensuring a quality filtration.
Oxygen requirements may vary depending on the amount of water to be treated. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out a preliminary evaluation to define the oxygen requirements of the installation.
Bio-media
To maintain high filtration efficiency, a media must be able to accommodate a maximum number of bacteria. This requires certain characteristics, such as good porosity.
This porosity ensures the circulation of enough flow to supply each of the bacteria and thus ensure filtration.
Moreover, they must be able to support anaerobic bacteria. This capacity will depend on the material used to produce it. These bacteria require no oxygen and are the only ones which can transform nitrate into nitrogen.
Maintenance
Alarm monitoring system monitors the electrical components of the system, the water levels and the analytical parameters. If a dysfunction happens, the audible and visual alarms provide localized notification. SCADA system will transmit alarms through Internet, generating email and/or text message notifications.
Periodic maintenance of the entire system and surrounding area includes:
- daily cleaning
- cleaning risers, inlet grids and outlet filters.
Inherent material features of the system ensure easy cleaning. Additionally, weeds should be controlled and vegetation mowed around the treatment system. The slope shall be maintained at a minimum of 3 inches below the top of the access risers.
Energy efficiency
Energy efficiency is an important part of choosing your MBBR system.
Actually, saving money in your water and energy consumption will allow you to reduce your environmental impact while increasing your wallet.
To increase this energy efficiency, we strongly recommend that you choose a gravity system. This way, you will reduce excessive consumption related to the pumping of your water.
Used space
Besides energy efficiency, water savings also ensure less space is used. By reducing the amount of water used, the mud will become more dry and therefore less saturated with water, taking up less space. This provides a tank for smaller mud sizes. In addition, compactness is one of the great strengths of MBBR technology.
In fact, because of the porosity of the media, we can develop many more bacteria and have a much larger surface area to have a stronger action.
Pressure loss
Pressure loss is a factor that can affect your biological treatment and impact its effectiveness. It can be caused by oscillations in temperature, weather, etc. It is therefore preferable to use media that can withstand these fluctuations as best as possible, so that you never lose out on performance. We recommend that you consider our activated carbon media technology. This media possesses fixed cultures and a high porosity that allows a large number of microorganisms to be present.
Not only can you adjust for hydraulic and organic headlosses, but you can also increase the load or implement more treatment to meet the ever-changing standards.
