Comparing Membrane Bioreactors (MBRs) and Moving Bed Biofilm Reactors (MBBRs) for Compact Water Reclamation in Florida: Process Selection by Bonita Springs and Pasco County Utilities

Abstract

Membrane bioreactor (MBR) and moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) compact wastewater treatment technologies are objectively compared for a hypothetical project on the basis of performance, construction, and life-cycle cost. Comparisons are based on process simulation models and parametric cost estimation for a greenfield site and hypothetical wastewater characteristics typical of municipal wastewaters in Florida, USA. System sizing was based on achieving the Florida Department of Environmental Protection definition of advanced wastewater treatment (i.e., BOD 5 < 5, TSS < 5, TN < 3, and TP < 1 on an annual average basis) in addition to reuse quality effluent as defined in Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) 62-610 Part III for reclaimed water. This paper includes case studies for two Florida utilities that each selected one of the two technologies (to meet reuse quality requirements only), as well as the rationale that supports their selection and observations and conclusions regarding the two technologies.

A Holistic Process Model for Evaluating Alternative Biosolids Technologies and Operational Methodologies to Improve Performance and Sustainable Decision-making at High Purity Oxygen Wastewater Treatment Plants

“…At the time of the first calibration effort, the interrelationship between Y obs , Y, and k d described in Equation 2 was not fully understood. The outcome of this first calibration attempt was perplexing as can be seen in Table 10 and Table 11 (Boe et al, 2009 andKim et al, 2011). In the case of the example plant the process flow diagram depicts the waste activated sludge stream originating from the flow stream between the reactor and the clarifier.…”