MBBR nitrification process in operation
The MBBR process is ideally suited for nitrification applications as the process enables proliferation of nitrifying bacteria within protected cell technology.
Nitrifying bacteria have relatively slower growth rates and are strongly influenced by water temperature. Many processes have difficulty achieving reliable nitrification; the MBBR process advances biofilm technology to achieve highly reliable, complete nitrification within compact tank volumes.
One of the greatest challenges in achieving nitrification is to establish sufficient quantities of nitrifying bacteria without washing them out of the system. MBBR technology enables the biological process to sustain a high-density population of nitrifying bacteria without relying on increased solids retention time (SRT) or mixed-liquor suspended solids (MLSS). Nitrifying bacteria are sustained in the protected cells of every MBBR biofilm carrier within the process.
Easily installed with minimal footprint
Another challenge with nitrifying bacteria populations is their relatively slow regeneration following toxic shock or organic shock incidents. An upset to conventional processes (especially during cold water seasons) can cause a lengthy period of permit violation. MBBR technology dramatically improves toxic shock response time by retaining a dynamic multi-layer biofilm system within the secondary biological process, achieving fast recovery from severe flow and load fluctuations.
Applied for post-treatment following activated sludge, or a BOD Reduction process, a separate-stage MBBR nitrification process can reduce ammonia in cold temperatures while eliminating the operational drawbacks of conventional approaches that require increased solids retention time (SRT) or higher mixed-liquor suspended solids (MLSS) levels.
MBBR achieves reliable nitrification while sustaining a high level of process resiliency not available via conventional or competitive technologies.
