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Updated: May 15, 2026

A Novel Bioreactor for High Density Cultivation of Diverse Microbial Communities
Published on: December 25, 2015
Study of performances, stability and microbial characterization of a Sequencing Batch Biofilter Granular Reactor
Marco De Sanctis1, Mario Beccari, Claudio Di Iaconi
1Water Research Institute, CNR, Via F. De Blasio 5, 70123 Bari, Italy. desanctis@irsa.cnr.it
Abstract:
The Sequencing Batch Biofilter Granular Reactor (SBBGR) is a promising wastewater treatment technology characterized by high biomass concentration in the system, good depuration performance and low sludge production. Its main drawback is the high energy consumption required for wastewater recirculation through the reactor bed to ensure both shear stress and oxygen supply. Therefore, the effect of low recirculation flow on the long-term (38 months) performance of a laboratory scale SBBGR was studied. Both the microbial components of the granules, and their main metabolic activities were evaluated (heterotrophic oxidation, nitrification, denitrification, fermentation, sulphate reduction and methanogenesis). The results indicate that despite reduced recirculation, the SBBGR system maintained many of its advantageous characteristics.
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