Modelling of hybrid moving bed biofilm reactors: a pilot plant experiment

In recent years there has been an increasing interest in the development of hybrid biofilm reactors, especially in the upgrading of existing WWTP that are no longer able to respect concentration limits. In fact, today's challenge is the achievement of a good aquatic state for the receiving water bodies according to the Water Framework Directive requirements, which indeed limit even more the continuous emissions, i.e. coming from WWTP. This paper presents the setting up of a mathematical model for the simulation of a hybrid MBBR system; the model calibration/validation has been carried out considering a field gathering campaign on an experimental pilot plant. The main goal is to gain insight about MBBR processes attempting to overcome main shortcomings in particular referring to the modelling aspects. The model is made up of two connected sub-models for the simulation of the suspended and attached biomass. The model is mainly based on the concepts of the activated sludge model No. 1 (ASM1) for the description of the biokinetic process both for the suspended and for the attached biomass. The results show a good agreement between predicted and observed values both for the attached and for the suspended biomass moreover they are encouraging for further researches.