Title: Design principles to achieve a robust sewage treatment process using rotating biological contactors and reed beds

Authors: G.E. Findlay, I. Elliott

Addresses: Copa Ltd, Unit 11, Credenda Road, West Bromwich, B70 7JE, UK. Severn Trent Water Limited, 2297 Coventry Road, Birmingham, B26 3PU, UK

Abstract: Severn Trent Water Ltd. has chosen to adopt rotating biological contactors (RBCs) and reed beds amongst other technologies for treating sewage where the population is less than 2000. The design of an RBC to achieve a fully compliant effluent can be difficult when flows are small or the system is combined and an overflow is not permissible. In addition, RBCs have been plagued by mechanical problems since their conception in the 1960s resulting in short life and high maintenance costs. The paper addresses the issues required to produce a fully compliant high quality effluent employing RBCs and reed beds and the design and quality control requirements to achieve a new generation of RBCs with a guaranteed 20-year maintenance free life.

Keywords: sewage treatment; rotating biological contactors; reed beds; compliance; consent; tertiary treatment; fatigue.

DOI: 10.1504/IJW.2002.003188

International Journal of Water, 2002 Vol.2 No.2/3, pp.108-122

Published online: 14 Jul 2003 *

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