A Review of Rotating Biological Contactors for Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

A rotating biological contactor (RBC) is a type of attached-growth biological wastewater treatment system and a widely used biological wastewater treatment technology. It employs a series of rotating discs to support microbial growth and promote the removal of pollutants from wastewater. RBC is widely recognized for its simplicity of design, high reliability, and low energy consumption. It has been used in various applications, from small-scale decentralized systems to large municipal wastewater treatment plants. The current review provides an overview of RBC bioreactors, design parameters, and the factors that influence biological performance, such as hydraulic retention time, sludge retention time, organic loading rate, disc rotational speed, and temperature. The review also highlights the advantages and disadvantages of RBCs compared with other wastewater treatment technologies and discusses their role in sustainable environmental performance. The future prospects of RBC are also discussed, including integration with other technologies, such as membrane filtration and potential use in resource recovery. The review explores the application of RBC in decentralized wastewater treatment and the potential to provide sustainable solutions for wastewater management in rural and remote areas. Overall, RBC remains a promising option for effective and efficient wastewater treatment, particularly in situations where simplicity, reliability, and low energy consumption are desired.

Nanofiltration PVP Membrane with Gradient Cross-Linking for Efficient Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Removal

“…The contact angle of a membrane refers to the angle formed between the liquid interface and the solid surface of the membrane. , It is a measure of the wettability of the membrane, indicating how well a liquid spreads or adheres to the membrane surface. , A hydrophilic membrane has a contact angle of less than 90°, typically from 0 to 90°. Hydrophilic membranes have a strong affinity for water and polar solvents.…”

Effect of Operating Parameters on the Performance of Integrated Fixed-Film Activated Sludge for Wastewater Treatment

“…Consequently, an advanced biological process that guarantees complete treatment efficiency is required to achieve the demanded water quality [6][7][8].…”

“…As more restrictive legislation is imposed concerning wastewater treatment, it is inevitable that treatment processes will need to be redesigned to be more efficient, economical, and comply with the limits [ 4 , 5 ]. Consequently, an advanced biological process that guarantees complete treatment efficiency is required to achieve the demanded water quality [ 6 , 7 , 8 ].…”