Torrent MBBR
Packaged wastewater treatment solution.
Torrent MBBR Module
The Torrent MBBR (Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor) module is a rapidly deployable, modular, and scalable wastewater treatment package plant developed by Ulmo Water. The Torrent module uses modern aeration, biofilm and lamella technology to deliver high quality effluent, packaged in a robust reactor that can withstand the harsh conditions of the African continent.
The Torrent MBBR is well suited for industrial wastewaters with high concentrations of soluble organics, the Torrent reactor effectively removes the majority of particulate and soluble organics. This makes the treated water appropriate for general discharge, irrigation, or as a pre-treatment for various reuse applications.
The modules are designed, engineered, fabricated and tested in Cape Town prior to shipping. They are built using carbon steel and coated with a robust epoxy mastic coating. The coating provides exceptional resistance to harsh chemicals which is specially formulated for industrial and maritime environments.
The Torrent MBBR’s design philosophy minimizes on-site construction and installation while optimizing off-site fabrication, assembly, testing, and commissioning. This approach offers our clients a fully tested, off-grid package wastewater treatment solution that is rapidly deployable.
MBBR Technology
Moving Bed Bioreactor (MBBR) technology is an advanced form of the activated sludge attached growth process. In this method, plastic carrier media are employed to cultivate beneficial biomass within the bioreactor.
The aeration system mixes the plastic media in the tank, ensuring effective contact between the wastewater’s organic matter and the microbial mass on the media. This media offers a large surface area for bacterial growth, thereby reducing the footprint of the treatment plant.
MBBR is particularly effective for treating complex wastewater. The microorganisms are capable of converting complex contaminants into benign biomass, which can then be removed downstream through physical separation processes.
Biomass carrier media
Accelerated bacteria growth
Modular Design
The Torrent MBBR modules are designed to fit inside a 40ft hi-cube shipping container, allowing for ease of transport to worldwide destinations. The module is specifically designed for easy and rapid deployment and minimal civil works on site.
Benefits of Torrent MBBR
- Modular: The Torrent MBBR has a modular design, allowing for the addition of extra modules as treatment capacity needs increase. Fabricated and tested off-site, these modules enable rapid deployment.
- Compact: Ideal for space-limited facilities, MBBR occupies a smaller footprint than most alternative systems. This compactness is largely due to the maximized surface area provided by the media for biofilm growth.
- Simple: MBBR is relatively straightforward to operate and is generally simpler than mem- brane-based processes that require chemical cleaning systems and precise control.
- Low Maintenance: MBBR is a low-maintenance system that is largely self-regulating, allowing operators to rely on its effective operation without the need for intensive, ongoing up- keep.
- Flexible: The system naturally adjusts to varying loads and influent changes, as the microorganisms on the carriers adapt to shifts in raw water quality.
- Efficient: One of MBBR’s most significant advantages is its high efficiency, coupled with a low hydraulic retention time.
- Reduced Sludge Production: MBBR produces less sludge compared to conventional biological processes.
Applications
The Torrent MBBR module removes the majority of the particulate and soluble organic load in the wastewater, making the treated water suitable for general discharge, irrigation or as pretreatment for multiple reuse applications.
General discharge
Irrigation
Pretreatment for reuse
Water Quality
The Torrent MBBR module produces high-quality treated effluent by utilizing advanced aeration and biofilm processes coupled with efficient lamella settling. The Torrent is well suited for wastewater containing a high concentration of soluble organics typically found in industrial applications.
| Water Quality Summary | Raw | Treated |
|---|---|---|
| COD (mg/L) | 800 | 75 |
| BOD/COD fraction | 0.8 | - |
| TKN (mg-N/L) | 40 | |
| FSA (mg-N/L) | 30 | 6 |
| TP (mg/L) | 15 | 10 |
| TSS (mg/L) | 400 | 25 |
| Nitrate (mg-N/L) | 0 | 15 |
| pH | 6-8 | 5.5 - 9.5 |
| Max TDS (mg/L) | 5000 | |
| Min/Max Reactor T (°C) | 15 / 30 |
*The water quality provided in these tables are based on medium strength domestic wastewater quality. Higher organic loading, or different compositions, can be designed for based on the clients water quality and end treated water requirements.
Configurations
The Torrent MBBR module can be configured to best suit the nature of the wastewater chemistry. See the available configurations below:
Torrent configuration A
Configuration A is well-suited for wastewaters with high concentrations of settleable solids. Removing these solids ahead of the bioreactor enables it to focus more effectively on metabolizing soluble nutrients. Coagulant dosing can also be added for phosphate removal.
Torrent configuration B
Configuration B does not include a primary settling tank but does feature both anoxic and aerobic reactor zones. This configuration is well-suited for wastewaters with low to medium concentrations of suspended solids, and is ideal for applications requiring nitrogen and COD removal. Coagulant dosing can also be added for phosphate removal.
Torrent configuration C
Configuration C includes only an aerobic reactor and a lamella settling tank. It is well-suited for wastewaters with low to medium concentrations of suspended solids and high levels of soluble COD. However, Configuration C is not suitable for biological nitrogen removal.
Technical Specifications
| Description | Torrent 20 | Torrent 40 | Torrent 60 | Torrent 80 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOD Load* (kg/d) | 17 | 50 | 83 | 113 |
| Daily flow* (kl/d) | 40 | 110 | 180 | 240 |
| Population Equivalenty (PPE) | 260 | 700 | 1170 | 1550 |
| Full Load Current 400V (A) | 10 | 20 | 30 | 40 |
| Daily Energy Usage (kWh) | 110 | 220 | 340 | 520 |
| Specific energy usage (kWh/kl) | 2.8 | 2 | 1.9 | 2.2 |
| Number of Modules | 1 x 20ft | 1 x 40ft | 1 x 20ft, 1 x 40ft | 2 x 40ft |
* Based on Torrent Configuration B: Anoxic, Aerobic & SST. Based on a COD load of 800mg/l.
Optional extra’s: lifting station, screening, effluent conditioning, polishing with sand/AFM filtration, sludge handling & processing.
Frequently asked questions
Does the treatment plant generate foul odours?
No, a MBBR process does not typically generate foul odours. The process is designed to efficiently treat wastewater while minimizing production of foul-smelling gases through proper aeration, mixing and management of the treatment process. Odours are limited to the screening and lift station and can be mitigated with design measures.
What are my options with the discharge of the treated water?
The treated water from the Torrent MBBR reactor is compliant with the South African Department of Water Affairs general limits standards and can be discharged into various water bodies, reused for irrigation, reused as process water for cleaning operations or used as pre-treatment for reuse system.
Does the treatment plant produce Waste Sludge?
Yes, all wastewater plants produce waste sludge as part of a healthy biological nutrient removal system. The sludge produced from the Torrent reactor is stabilized (Config B & C), therefore it will produce minimal odours. The sludge can be dewatered and disposed of as solid waste or a low-grade soil filler. We can supply various sludge handling options including drying beds, sludge presses and drying bag systems.
How easy is it to transport and integrate the plant?
The package is engineered to fit into Hi-Cube 40ft shipping containers, ensuring ease of transportation and worldwide shipping capabilities. Factory built with all equipment installed and fully wet tested allowing for quick and easy integration.
Torrent MBBR
- Modular
- Scalable
- Package wastewater solution
- Compact
- 40 - 400m3/day
