Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR)

Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR)

An MBBR system is a continuously operating, non-clogging biofilm reactor with low head loss, a high specific biofilm surface area, and no requirement for periodic backwashing.

Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) systems, originally invented by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in 1989, consist of an aerated treatment tank with special plastic media or carriers that provide a surface promoting biofilm growth. The media are made of a material with a density close to the density of water. An example is high-density polyethylene (HDPE).

An MBBR system is a continuously operating, non-clogging biofilm reactor with low head loss, a high specific biofilm surface area, and no requirement for periodic backwashing. The media provides increased surface area for microorganisms to attach to and grow in the aeration tanks.

53 Ft, Dual Clarifier MBBR

Industry Applications

MBBR systems are a preferred solution for removal of biological, chemical and physical contaminants from industrial or municipal wastewater. A typical MBBR system can treat large volumes of industrial wastewater using a relatively small footprint.

Typical Expected Removal Rates

MBBR Advantages

MBBR systems possess distinct advantages over traditional activated sludge systems including:

• Smaller footprint required
• Higher effective sludge retention time (SRT)
• Lower sludge production
• Improved settling characteristics
• Operation at higher suspended biomass
• Ability to respond to load fluctuations
• Simple operation and maintenance
• Durable and stable
• No need for periodic backwashing
• Easily expanded as requirements change