Biothane - Veolia Water Technologies products

The Biobed Advanced reactor is the latest technological innovation introduced to the market by Biothane. In the Biobed® Advanced reactor a combination of the excellent performance of the UASB reactor with the cost effectiveness of an EGSB system is made.

The Biobulk CSTR technology (Completely Stirred Tank Reactor) is a robust and proven process which treats industrial effluents with significantly high amounts of suspended solids. It is the anaerobic equivalent to the conventional activated sludge digestion system.

Upthane is an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) treatment system specifically designed for the treatment of low strength wastewaters like municipal sewage. The treatment solution utilises anaerobic microorganisms to - in the absence of oxygen - digest incoming biodegradable material, i.e. convert it into methane. This methane is then recovered and used for electricity production and heating. The energy recovered from the Upthane, combined with the low energy requirements of the system translate into an energy neutral WWTP making the Upthane the ideal solution for WWTPs designed for the removal of carbon pollutants.

The conventional activated sludge system comprises an aeration tank and a clarifier. Aerobic biomass degrades COD in the aeration tank. The mixed liquor (ML) in the clarifier is separated into a water phase and a concentrated ML by sedimentation. The clarified water overflows weirs at the top of the clarifier whereas the sludge (biomass) is removed at the bottom. The major part of the biomass is recycled to the aeration tank to maintain the required amount of biomass in the system. Redundant biomass, produced by growth of microorganisms due to COD degradation, is withdrawn from the sludge stream and discharged to a storage tank or further sludge treatment facilities.

The SBR process consists of two reactor tanks with a common inlet system. The bio-selector at the influent section contains baffles to mix the reactor content and enhances digestion. The treatment step is followed by a settling phase, which runs parallel with the filling and aeration of the second tank. The treated water is discharged and the solids are extracted at the reactor bottom.

In membrane bioreactors ultrafiltration (UF) or microfiltration (MF) membranes are used for separation of the treated water from the mixed liquor (ML). The UF/MF membranes guarantee a constant and very high effluent quality as particulate matter (SS, microorganisms) cannot pass through the membranes. Furthermore, MBR installations require less space than conventional activated sludge systems because more biomass can be retained in the system allowing a higher treatment capacity in smaller reactors.