A new moving bed biofilm reactor - applications and results

The operation of a new Norwegian moving-bed biofilm reactor was studied. The reactor was designed to achieve low head loss and a high specific biofilm surface by encouraging biofilm growth on small carrier elements which moved with the water in the reactor. Movement was caused by aeration in the aerobic version of the reactor and by a mechanical stirrer in the anoxic/anaerobic version. This arrangement resulted in a very compact reactor and a high biological activity per kg of attached biomass. Experience at pilot and full scale with municipal and industrial wastewater demonstrated the usefulness of the process with a broad range of wastewaters.