Design optimization of a self-cleaning moving-bed bioreactor for seawater denitrification

The hydrodynamic behavior and denitrification capacity of a downflow self-cleaning moving bed bioreactor (MBBR) using floating packed-bed carriers were investigated. Water mixing in the MBBR was determined by tracer studies, which showed a completely stirred tank reactor. Eleven different types of patented plastic packed-bed carriers were selected based on their density, shape and specific surface area. Video studies of the carriers were used to determine operating conditions and select the Cascade 1A and TriPack 1 carriers for denitrification experiments. Both carriers showed a similar performance level in terms of the denitrification capacity of the resulting MBBR. The improvement in liquid circulation is thought to explain the high denitrification rates that reached 27 g N m−2 d−1 and the maintenance of a thin biofilm. Increasing the overall liquid velocity profile led to an increase of up to 30% in the denitrification rate in conditions with a 1-month-old biofilm. This MBBR design seemed to control biofilm development and could easily be scaled up to denitrify seawater or freshwater systems.