Borgmann Aquaponics Hydroponics
The Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR), also called fluidized bed biology or expanded bed biology, is a method of biological wastewater treatment in which the microorganisms involved in the degradation processes grow in a biofilm immobilized on an artificial carrier. It thus belongs to the biological biofilm processes in wastewater treatment. In contrast to fixed bed systems, the carrier is not fixed or anchored, but moves freely in the reactor.Mode of Operation
As carrier materials or media (engl. carriers), small, few-centimeter-sized, cylindrical or spherical plastic bodies are often used, mostly made of polyethylene. These are often equipped with internal ribs, hairs, or protrusions to increase the potential colonization area. Both new white virgin material and black carriers made from recycled material are used. Virgin material is suitable for drinking water, while recycled material tends to colonize faster. The materials offered are not comparable or classifiable regarding their relevant surfaces and structures.
An important factor in the biological moving bed process is the sufficient and frequent contact between wastewater constituents and the microorganisms embedded in the biofilm. The necessary mixing of the carrier media in the reactor can be achieved in aerobic processes already through the required aeration. In anaerobic processes, the carriers can be agitated by pumping water or by using submerged, slowly rotating impellers in the bioreactor.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Problems with decreasing degradation performance are often due to the biofilms on the carriers becoming too thick, reducing the effective surface area of the carrier material. Another disadvantage of moving bed systems is the relatively high energy requirement for mixing.
Advantages include the elimination of sludge recirculation (compared to conventional suspended biomass processes, activated sludge processes), high process stability against shock loads and disturbances, and the possibility of establishing slow-growing microorganisms specialized in degrading hard-to-break-down compounds on the carrier.
Illustration with https://easy-peasy.ai/ CC BY 4.0
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