Moving bed biofilm reactor- (MBBR-) based advanced wastewater treatment technology for the removal of emerging contaminants

Abstract In the past few decades, the presence of persistent and emerging contaminants in the wastewater has become a major concern due to their associated threats and impacts on the aquatic life and human health. It requires the development of an environmentally benign and cost-effective technique for the removal of such contaminants. In this direction, a moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) has been proposed and validated by researchers as an efficient reactor design for the advanced wastewater treatment. A detailed overview of the MBBR technology and its operating benchmarks (such as carrier characteristics, biofilm formation, aeration, and mixing system) are discussed in this chapter. The crucial operating parameters affecting performance of the MBBR such as carrier filling ratio, pH, hydraulic retention time (HRT), and pollutant loading rate are also introduced and discussed. Further, the mathematical models and kinetic aspects of contaminant degradation in the MBBR are also presented. Finally, this chapter discussed the most recent studies on the MBBRs for the treatment of emerging contaminants (ECs) and persistent organic contaminants (POCs) present in the wastewater.