Biological Treatment Reactors

Sustainable Water utilizes a variety of biological treatment technologies depending on wastewater characteristics and project specific goals. Often reactors are combined in the process design with complementary biological or ecological reactors to increase overall system efficiency and resiliency. A few of these include:

Moving-Bed Bioreactors (MBBR)

Moving-Bed Bioreactors (MBBRs) utilize attached growth media as a substrate for the formation of treatment biofilms. This media is circulated in aerated treatment reactors.  Due to the high surface area of the media and robust microbiological communities, MBBRs are ideally suited for high-strength, industrial wastewater applications. In existing wastewater plants, the addition of moving media can expand treatment capacity and improve effluent quality without incurring additional footprint. Click here to read more.

Submerged Fixed Film Reactors (SFFR)

In contrast to MBBRs, Submerged Fixed Film Reactors (SFFRs) utilize stationary media in aerated wastewater reactors to improve treatment efficiency. The additional surface area provided by SFFR helps reduce footprint and improve effluent quality by increasing system biology. Submerged fixed film media can be deployed in reactors where moving media is difficult to contain.

Membrane Bioreactors (MBR)

Membrane Bioreactors (MBRs) increase treatment capacity by increasing the concentration of suspended microbiological communities, in contrast to MBBRs and SFFRs where attached biofilm communities are increased. Submerged membranes contained within the final biological treatment reactors are utilized to efficiently remove solids from the treated effluent despite the high suspended solids concentrations. These systems produce a high-quality effluent suitable for reuse and have a compact footprint.