MBBR Reactor
Moving bed biofilm reactor for biological COD and nitrogen removal
- High biomass concentration on moving carriers
- Compact – significantly smaller than conventional activated sludge tanks
- Robust against load fluctuations and toxic shocks
- No sludge recirculation required
- Also available as a containerised unit
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Technical data
| Flow rate | 1 – 500 m³/h |
| COD removal | > 85% |
| Carrier fill ratio | 30 – 60% |
| Protected surface area | 350 – 800 m²/m³ carrier |
| Aeration | Fine or coarse bubble |
| Material | Stainless steel / concrete tank / container |
Indicative values. Final data is confirmed project-specifically.
How it works
Inlet
Pre-treated wastewater enters the reactor.
Biofilm growth
Microorganisms grow as a biofilm on the moving plastic carriers.
Aeration & mixing
Aeration supplies oxygen and keeps the carriers in permanent motion.
Separation
Excess biomass is separated downstream by settling, flotation or filtration.
Typical applications
Sizes & configurations
MBBR — design parameters
| Parameter | Typical range | Remark |
|---|---|---|
| Carrier fill ratio | 40–70 % (typically 50 %) | Approx. 67 % is the practical maximum for free carrier movement |
| Specific surface area of carrier | 350–1200 m²/m³ | Standard carriers approx. 500 m²/m³ bulk (≈ 335 m²/m³ effective at 67 % fill) |
| Surface load BOD removal | 5–15 g BOD/m²·d | Tertiary polishing 2–5 g BOD/m²·d |
| Surface load nitrification | 0.5–1.5 g NH₄-N/m²·d | < 10 °C: 0.3–0.8; > 20 °C: up to 2.0 |
| Surface load denitrification | 1.0–3.0 g NO₃-N/m²·d | Requires an external or internal carbon source |
| Dissolved oxygen (aerobic stage) | 2–4 mg/L | Higher DO required at high surface loads |
| Design safety factor | 1.2–1.5 | Applied to the calculated carrier surface area |
Literature design values for orientation, not a product specification. The plant is sized project-specifically from the measured load.
Sources: CED Engineering, "Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor Design"; US EPA wastewater technology documentation; carrier manufacturer data sheets.
Indicative values. Final data is confirmed project-specifically.
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