Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) Nereda Process
Energy Consumption Average energy consumption of full scale combined
denitrification MBBR process supplied by Kruger Kaldnes at
the Nedre Romerike Avlpsselskap (NRA) WWTP, Norway,
is 0.17 0.30 kWh/m3 wastewater
Footprint Less space requirements compared to the conventional
Activated Sludge Process (ASP). The MBBR system is often
installed as a retrofit of existing activated sludge tanks to
increase the capacity of the existing system. Thus an
existing treatment plant can increase its capacity without
increasing the footprint by constructing new tanks.
Supplementary Processes Dose not require return activated sludge stream. Requires
downstream Lamella or Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) unit.
In case of high nitrogen levels, a separate-stage MBBR
nitrification process can be added. The treatment train is
separated into multiple reactors in series to accomplish
higher levels of treatment
Consumables / Chemical Biofilm carriers usually made of polyethylene or
Requirements polypropylene
Chemical agents used in flocculation such as ferric chloride
or polymers. Methanol (or any source of carbon) in case if
denitrification process is involved
Quality of Effluent One case study reported the following effluent quality
(average):
Total P = 0.17 mg/L
BOD5 = 3.4 mg/L
NH3-N = 1.4 mg/L
NO3-N = 5.2 mg/L
NO2-N = 0.1 mg/L
Average energy consumption of full scale Nereda process
at the Epe WWTP, The Netherlands, is 2000 2500 kWh/d.
the plant is designed to take average daily flows of 8,000
m3/d, hence, the average specific energy consumption is
0.25 0.31 kWh/m3
Space requirements can be reduced by 50% 75%
compared to conventional Activated Sludge Process.
Nereda process can be retrofitted into an existing
activated sludge tanks or any other suitable tanks. It make
use of existing infrastructure whilst increasing system
capacity without increasing the footprint.
Usually eliminate the need for secondary clarification and
return sludge pumping stations. Removal of carbon,
nitrogen and phosphorus is combined in one reactor
Chemical-free process
In the Wemmershoek WWTP, South Africa, the
following effluent quality (average) is reported:
COD = 48 mg/L
NO3-N = 0.1 mg/L
NO2-N = 0.1 mg/L
Total P = 2.6 mg/L
In the Epe WWTP, Netherlands, the following effluent
quality (average) is reported:
COD = 27 mg/L
 Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) Nereda Process
Another case study where nitrification-denitrification is BOD < 2 mg/L
combined with BOD removal reported the following NH4-N = 0.1 mg/L
effluent quality (median concentrations): Total N < 4 mg/L
BOD5 < 2 mg/L
Total N = 2.9 mg/L
NH4-N = 0.37 mg/L
NO3-N = 0.98 mg/L
Does the process need Depends on the installation option (Greenfield/Parallel Usually primary clarification is sufficient
pretreatment? Extension or Brownfield). Usually primary clarification is
sufficient, however if nitrification is implemented in the
process then pre-anoxic basin is used
Any suppliers in the BioShaft Water Technology Inc. was awarded several No reported installations in the Middle East
Middle East? (if possible, industrial & domestic contracts to install its Turbo
examples of deployment Moving Bed Bio-Reactor (T-MBBR). The installations
in the Middle East or include:
regions with similar The King Abdullah New Financial District, Riyadh,
climate) Saudi Arabia: a residential/institutional T-MBBR
system that will treat 132,100 gallons per day of
domestic wastewater from a housing complex.
Jeddah Gates, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: a temporary,
packaged containerized T-MBBR system that treat
domestic wastewater from a high rise tower. The
system has a capacity of 55,000 gallons per day.
The effluent quality is 10mg/L BOD and 10mg/L
TSS
EMMAR Middle East, Dubai, UAE: EMMAR will
receive a mobile temporary system to treat
domestic wastewater for a residential
development that is not connected to a municipal
sewer network.

Headworks Bio Inc. was awarded a contract to expand

an off-grid conventional activated sludge STP in Dubai
Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) Nereda Process
Investment Park (DIP) from 5000 m3/d to 10,000 m3/d
within the existing footprint without additional
reactors. The solution proposed by Headworks was an
Integrated Fixed-Film Activated Sludge (IFAS) process.
IFAS is a variation of MBBR process in which the
biofilm carrier technology is integrated within a
conventional activated sludge process. The MBBR/IFAS
upgrade of the existing treatment plant achieves BOD
reduction of < 10 mg/L and nitrification NH3-N of < 1
mg/L outlet, thus producing effluent suitable for reuse
and irrigation applications