Rotating Biological Contactor Scale-Up and Design,

Abstract

Abstract : The total organic loading approach to design of RBC's previously developed by the authors in 1972, has been presented in detail and compared to other design approaches. The advantages and benefits of this RBC design method compared to other existing design approaches has been demonstrated. And yes, the question of which parameter, hydraulic loading, organic concentration or total organic loading, to use for proper design and operation of the RBC process has been answered. Any design method based on zero, first, or second order rate kinetics will be limited to loadings conditions within a specific loading range for design of RBC's. Design in terms of first order reaction kinetics will require determination of two separate reaction rate constants. Depending on the operating conditions or loading condition of an RBC, the kinetic removal rates through the system can be shown to follow apparent zero, first, or second order reaction rate kinetics. Monod kinetics also predicts the maximum BOD removal rate observed in RBC's.