Sequential Batch Reactors Technology and Performance Evaluation
Rao Y. Surampalli, R. D. Tyagi, and O. Karl Scheible
DOI: 10.2190/6XMY-WCR9-GXFV-AW12
Abstract
Data were collected from nineteen municipal and private Sequential Batch Reactor (SBR) wastewater treatment plants in the United States. The average design flow for these plants ranged from 0.028 to 3.0 mgd. The average effluent BOD5 concentration ranged from 3.0 to 14.0 mg/l with removals ranging from 88.9 to 98.1 percent. The average effluent TSS ranged from 3.7 to 20.2 mg/l (excluding one plant) and removals for TSS were between 84.7 to 97.2 percent. Effluent NH3-N concentrations ranged from 0.29 to 1.68 mg/l and ammonia removals were between 90.8 to 96.8 percent. The average effluent phosphorus concentrations were between 0.53 to 4.27 mg/l. The SBR performance data shows that typical SBR designs can meet effluent BOD5 and TSS concentrations of less than 10 mg/l. With some additional design modifications, SBRs can successfully nitrify to limits of 1 to 2 mg/l NH3-N. The limited data available suggests that SBRs achieve denitrification when properly designed and achieve phosphorus removal without chemical addition to less than 1.0 mg/l. The SBR market is competitive, which will encourage cost-effectiveness when compared to competing technologies. Current designs are based on several factors, including fundamental process knowledge, manufacturer s supplied information, actual plant performance experience, and permit requirements.
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