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jojy

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SBR vs MBBR vs MBR
Mar 08^th, 2012, 3:12am

In my country these days there are lots of WWTPs coming up small ones (<1 MLD) and big ones ( >5 MLD) and the most favoured/promoted technology seems to be SBR.
My personal opinion is that SBR requires much more skilled supervision than others which is not readily available in my country. I have come across cases where after construction the contractor has quit without commissioning, forget operation and maintenance for initial periods inspite of a contract.
I am attaching a document here which is a study of comparative analysis of different technologies in Indian context (performance analysis, cost, land area requirement etc....)
Could the experts on the forum please give their opinion on suitability of diferent types of technologies or provide reference to any studies on comparative analysis of WWT technologies.

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Salahuddin Ahmed YaBB Newbies Offline I love Water and Wastewater.com Posts: 9 Bandlaguda(Jagir), RR Dist. Gender: Company or Organization: Universal Water Projects	Re: SBR vs MBBR vs MBR Reply #1 - Mar 13^th, 2012, 5:28am Dear Pls. mail to me the study document of comparative analysis of different technologies in Indian context (performance analysis, cost, land area requirement etc....), on "izzat_1010@yahoo.co.in" after going through the details provided by you I may be able to suggest something.
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Tom Keenan - nesa

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Re: SBR vs MBBR vs MBR
Reply #2 - Mar 13^th, 2012, 5:59am

Hi
The best golfer in the world is a great sportsperson.
The best table tennis player in the world is a great sportsperson.
The best baseball player in the world is a great sportsperson.
The best sprinter in the world is a great sportsperson.

They are all great athletes, but each is great at different things, and therefore are best suited to different applications, (or events).

Similarly with wastewater treatment. There are many different types of processes and each one is likely to be suitable for particular applications. Similarly not all are expected to be suitable for every application.
You really need to assess the needs of each application separately.
Also it is not appropriate to rule out a process because it is not properly installed, operated or maintained.

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Re: SBR vs MBBR vs MBR
Reply #3 - Mar 13^th, 2012, 11:57am

I've operated SBRs in China that were poorly designed to separate the various phases present in SBR operations. These designs neglected skimming, WAS, and other considerations. Effluent from SBRs may not be as "good" as MBRs, but potentially as "good" as MBBRs. As Tom has said, "Also it is not appropriate to rule out a process because it is not properly installed, operated or maintained." There is probably no activated sludge process that requires less operator attention (only in different areas of control).

grrun

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jojy

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Re: SBR vs MBBR vs MBR
Reply #4 - Mar 13^th, 2012, 12:04pm

Dear Tom Keenan,
Couldn't agree with you more, however I would like to point out that in the context of low income countries there are certain limiting parameters namely finance, skilled staff and not very strict regulatory mechanisms. Regular testing is also a challenge. Then also, these services are practically in public sector and the least cost is the criterion for selection. Most of the older plants are ASP plants and now a days lots of smaller plants especially with SBR are being promoted. The reference manual is saying that MBBR is not such a good option but my experience is otherwise. I must add that almost for 10 months, most of the places the temperature ranges between 47 C to 20 C.
And so I was wondering if the experts or practitioners on the forum may give pros and cons of different technologies.

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Tom Keenan - nesa

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Re: SBR vs MBBR vs MBR
Reply #5 - Mar 13^th, 2012, 1:05pm

Cost, (capital and running) is always important in any selection process. If cost is a very significant factor when choosing a process, but as you know there are also.many other factors too.
I would also expect that SBR systems would have advantages in terms of capital costs. SBR operation can also be simplified with the use of relatively low cost plc's or timer systems.
Have you considered cheaper systems such as lagoons, or wetlands, or similar?

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jojy YaBB Newbies Offline I love Water and Wastewater.com Posts: 11 Company or Organization: mrec	Re: SBR vs MBBR vs MBR Reply #6 - Mar 14^th, 2012, 11:14am what are plc's? Incidentally uninterrupted power supply is a challenge too! The options like wetland and ponds etc....land area requirement is too high. not feasible most of the time.
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Re: SBR vs MBBR vs MBR
Reply #7 - Mar 14^th, 2012, 12:37pm

PLCs are programable logic controllers that can control operating functions based on signals from various sensors (DO, Level, Time, etc.). These controllers are becoming less expensive and can serve to reduce manual control of many operations for SBRs. Proper design of SBRs will usually allow for adequate discharge quality at reduced costs (assuming some operator attention). If you've even looked at the Forum; you'd realize that none of the types of wastewater treatment eliminate the need for operator attention. Unfortunately, many treatment systems are thought to operate automatically without adequate operator input.

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