Citation:
D. Mba and R. Bannister, Ensuring effluent standards by improving the design of
Rotating Biological Contactors. Desalination, Vol 208 (1-3), 5 April 2007, p.
204-215.
Abstract:
The Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC) is used for both municipal and
industrial wastewater treatment; however, the RBC has been plagued with
mechanical deficiencies since its conception. The unpredicted loss of mechanical
integrity results in loss of operation and the discharge, into the environment,
of effluent that does not meet consent standards as set by governmental bodies.
The consequence of the latter on aquatic life cannot be understated. Whilst
maintaining an effluent standard is of vital importance this has to be balanced
against the capital costs of RBC units. In addition to detailing reasons for
defects associated with RBC’s this paper presents a novel design approach for
shaftless RBC’s. This novel design takes cognisance of the mechanisms and
reasons for mechanical failure, thereby reducing occurrence of loss operation of
RBC units and ensuring that the effluent continually meets discharge standards.
The added significance of the design is a 50% reduction in co
