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A Novel Bioreactor for High Density Cultivation of Diverse Microbial Communities
Published on: December 25, 2015
SBBGR technology for minimising excess sludge production in biological processes
Claudio Di Iaconi1, Marco De Sanctis, Simona Rossetti
1Istituto di Ricerca Sulle Acque C.N.R., Via F. De Blasio 5, 70123 Bari, Italy. claudio.diiaconi@ba.irsa.cnr.it
Water Research
|February 9, 2010
Summary
The Sequencing Batch Biofilter Granular Reactor (SBBGR) system effectively treated municipal wastewater, removing 80% of contaminants. This innovative technology also achieved very low sludge production, making it a promising solution for wastewater treatment.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Engineering
- Microbiology
- Wastewater Treatment Technologies
Background:
- Municipal wastewater treatment faces challenges with efficiency and sludge management.
- Innovative technologies are needed to meet stringent discharge limits and reduce operational costs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the performance of the Sequencing Batch Biofilter Granular Reactor (SBBGR) system for municipal wastewater treatment.
- To assess the SBBGR system's sludge production and microbial community under high organic loads.
Main Methods:
- Demonstrative scale operation of the SBBGR system.
- Analysis of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), and nitrogen removal.
- Microbial analysis using in situ detection, microscopy, oxygen uptake rate, and protein content measurements.
Main Results:
- The SBBGR system achieved 80% removal of COD, TSS, and nitrogen.
- Sludge production was significantly low (0.12-0.14 kg TSS/kg COD removed) due to high sludge age (>120 d).
- Stable populations of active bacteria, primarily Proteobacteria, were observed within dense biomass aggregates.
Conclusions:
- The SBBGR system demonstrates high efficiency in treating municipal wastewater, meeting Italian discharge limits.
- The system's low sludge production is attributed to its high sludge age and stable microbial community.
- The SBBGR technology presents a viable and sustainable option for advanced wastewater treatment.
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