Feasibility of an aerobic sequencing batch flexible fibre biofilm reactor for treatment of milk processing wastewater

Abstract

fibre biofilm reactor (SBFFBR) was studied for the treatment of raw milk processing wastewater. The SBFFNR system was modified from a typical sequencing batch reactor (SBR) system by using eight simple flexible fibre bundles, which serve as support media for microorganisms. The reactor was operated under different influent substrate concentrations and at 1.6 day hydraulic retention time (HRT). The results show successful applicability of the SBFFBR system, indicating high chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiencies between 87.2% and 97% at average organic loading rates of 4.77 kg COD/m3.d and 0.4 kg COD/m3.d, respectively. The TSS removal efficiency decreased to 75 % as the organic loading rate increased to 4.77 kgTSS/m3.d. The reactor achieved overall removal efficiency of 92.5 % for COD and 89.1% for TSS. The reactor performance was also examined by measuring the turbidity, volatile solids and pH as functions of time. In addition to COD removal, simple operation, low cost and minimal sludge production were some of the other advantages.