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Rotating biological contactors: a review on main factors affecting performance

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Abstract

Rotating biological contactors (RBCs) constitute a very unique and superior alternative for biodegradable matter and nitrogen removal on account of their feasibility, simplicity of design and operation, short start-up, low land area requirement, low energy consumption, low operating and maintenance cost and treatment efficiency. The present review of RBCs focus on parameters that affect performance like rotational speed, organic and hydraulic loading rates, retention time, biofilm support media, staging, temperature, influent wastewater characteristics, biofilm characteristics, dissolved oxygen levels, effluent and solids recirculation, step-feeding and medium submergence. Some RBCs scale-up and design considerations, operational problems and comparison with other wastewater treatment systems are also reported.

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Acknowledgements

The authors fully acknowledge the financial support provided by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) through grant SFRH/BD/24715/2005.

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  1. IBB – Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal

    S. Cortez, P. Teixeira, R. Oliveira & M. Mota

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  1. S. Cortez
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  2. P. Teixeira
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Correspondence to S. Cortez.

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Cortez, S., Teixeira, P., Oliveira, R. et al. Rotating biological contactors: a review on main factors affecting performance. Rev Environ Sci Biotechnol 7, 155–172 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11157-008-9127-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11157-008-9127-x

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