Sequencing Batch Reactor Versus Continuous Flow Process for Pilot Plant Research on Activated Sludge

Abstract

The objective of this article is to compare the advantages and disadvantages of the sequencing batch reactor (SBR) versus the more conventional continuous flow reactor (CFR) setup for pilot plant studies. The SBR process can offer many superior features for research applications. The control of operational conditions is more reliable, precise and versatile. Data collection by sampling and on-line sensors is made easier, and results are more representative. Kinetic and settling tests that need to be conducted in a separate bench-scale reactor for a CFR can be carried out directly within an SBR pilot plant. Even routine data contains more information than obtained from a CFR, since each SBR cycle is equivalent to a batch treatment experiment. The drawbacks of an SBR pilot plant mainly concern the transferability of certain kinetic and settling results to (full scale) completely mixed flow-through reactors, and some experimental limitations due to the cyclic operation. It is expected that this comparison will support the decision of research teams intending to design a wastewater treatment pilot plant. If an SBR process is selected, some specific design recommendations are given at the end of this paper to make sure that its potential advantages are realized.

Use of Bacillus consortium in waste digestion and pathogen control in shrimp aquaculture

“…While standard wastewater treatment systems have shown to be ineffective on large high intensity systems, SBR systems have shown significant success (Boopathy et al, 2005). Many benefits exist of SBR's over other treatment options, such as increased control over the reliability, precision and versatility of the reactor (Stricker and Béland 2006). SBR infrastructure requires less capital investment and significantly less plumbing, and space requirements when compared to other treatments (Boopathy and Lyles, 2008;Irwine and Ketchum 1989).…”

Micropollutants in wastewater in four arctic cities - is the treatment sufficient?

“…The SBR is hence time rather than space orientated; equalization, metabolic reactions and sedimentation is happening in a time sequence rather than in the conventional space sequence of continuous-flow system, Figure 79. The advantage of this relative to the conventional AS system is that it can work with variable influent volumes, the operation control is easier, the space requirements are reduced compared to conventional AS and the capital costs are lower (USEPA, 1999;Stricker & Béland, 2006).…”

“…The performance of SBRs is comparable to that of a conventional AS and depends on system design and wastewater characteristics (USEPA, 1999). However, due to the greater possibilities of system control, such as SRT and HRT control (Stricker & Béland, 2006), it could be easier to optimize the conditions for biodegradation of micropollutants.…”

Reactores discontinuos secuenciales: Una tecnología versátil en el tratamiento de aguas residuales.

“…El proceso llevado a cabo en un SBR puede ofrecer muchas características ventajosas para aplicaciones en investigación: el control de las condiciones de funcionamiento es más fiable, preciso y versátil, la recolección de datos por medio de sensores de toma de muestras y en línea se hace más fácil y los resultados son más representativos [34].…”