bioFAS™ Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor Systems

The bioprocessH2O bioFAS™ Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) Systems are commonly applied to industrial applications for the pretreatment of organic bearing wastewater streams. The bioFAS™ MBBR systems are modular and can also be effectively integrated with existing industrial and municipal treatment systems to provide for additional BOD removal or nutrient removal including nitrification and denitrification. The bioFAS™ MBBR systems are high rate compact biofilm systems that are simple to operate and resilient to toxic shock loads.

How bioFAS™MBBR Systems Work

After pretreatment such as pH adjustment, screening, removal of oil & grease, etc. the wastewater is directed to the bioFAS™ MBBR process. Within the bioFAS™ MBBR tank, the wastewater is subjected to a moving bed of free floating polyethylene biofilm carriers. The biofilm carriers have a very high protected surface area that promotes biofilm adhesion and proliferation. Air is introduced into the MBBR using a blower and diffuser assembly to provide oxygen for bacterial respiration and to ensure complete mixing. The attached growth biofilm exposed to the pollutant load metabolizes the pollutants in an aerobic or anoxic environment. The dead microorganisms continuously slough off of the surface of the biofilm due to the mixing regime established in the reactor and thousands of collisions per second of the biofilm carriers. The sloughed solids are then discharged through a stainless steel wedge wire carrier retention screen in the form of suspended solids (TSS). The suspended solids are concentrated and removed using a secondary clarifier or dissolved air floatation (DAF) System.

Various Configurations of bioFAS™ MBBR Systems

Single-stage bioFAS™ MBBR Bioreactor followed by a post-DAF unit

Up to 90% BOD Reduction on a single-pass
Continuous wasting of biosolids

Two-stage bioFAS™ MBBR Bioreactor process preceded and followed by a DAF unit

Pre-DAF for TSS and FOG removal
Greater than 90% BOD Reduction on a single-pass
Continuous wasting of biosolids

Pre-DAF, bioFAS™ MBBR Bioreactor process followed by a bioPULSE Airlift MBR

Pre-DAF for TSS and FOG removal
Up to 99%+ BOD Reduction and nitrification on a single-pass
Positive Barrier TSS rejection with membrane
Continuous wasting of biosolids from pre-DAF

Main Components of the bioFAS™ MBBR Systems

bioFAS™ Biofilm Carriers – Provides protected surface area for the acclimation and growth of bacteria. The biofilm carriers are constructed of high density polyethylene and have an effective life of 15+ years.
bioFAS™ Aeration Grids – 304SS or 316SS coarse bubble aeration grid for diffusion of air into the bioreactor
bioFAS™ Carrier Retention Screens – 304SS or 316SS non-fouling wedge wire screens designed to pass solids and retain the bioFAS biofilm carriers.

Ancillary Components

DAF Systems – Provided for the removal of FOG, TSS and biosolids and concentration "thickening" of the sludge to 4-6% w/w.
Blowers – Positive displacement blowers for delivery of air to the MBBR bioreactors. Typically, the blowers are variable speed driven to save power costs and control dissolved oxygen levels in the bioreactors.
DO Sensors – Provided to monitor and automatically control the DO concentration in the bioFAS™ MBBR bioreactors and automatically adjust air volumes and blower speed to optimize the process and save power.
Foam abatement Systems – provided to arrest foaming conditions that may periodically occur within the bioFAS™ MBBR bioreactors.
Chemical Addition Systems – Provides flow paced nutrient dosing (nitrogen and phosphorous) for maintaining a healthy biological culture. Alkalinity addition is provided for nitrification processes.