Sequence Batch Reactor System

The SBR is also a settling tank and mechanically separate biological aeration section. The wastewater is then cleaned over a number of cycles resulting to a 98% cleaning performance, an efficiency which even surpasses the allowable TSS and COD concentration by Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing in Ontario, Canada. The cleaning process is carried out in four main processes namely charging, aeration, and rest phase and extraction process. The wastewater is charged into a primary treatment chamber where all the solid substances in the water are retained and then fed in SBR tank where the real microorganisms perform biological cleaning (Mace & Mata-Alvarez, 2002). This takes place with alternating short phases of aeration and rest phases leading to the formation of activated sludge.

In addition, the SBR system has very high treatment efficiencies for a varied number of effluents such as BOD, COD as well as TSS. It is also flexible in terms of operation and can be used for the production of electric energy from the SBR and anaerobic sludge digestion. Despite the SBR system being considered as the game changer, it is associated with a number of cons such as low efficiency in removing pathogens from the wastewater (Chan et al, 2009). It calls for advanced skilled personnel for operation. The biogas used in the production of electric energy is explosive thus posing safety issues to the plant operator.  Chemical Engineering Journal, 155(1- 2), 1-18. Mace, S. , & Mata-Alvarez, J. Utilization of SBR technology for wastewater treatment: an overview.