Rotating Biological Contactors (RBC)

The fixed film media system employed in the Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC) has functionally much in common with the trickling filter bed as a store of active biomass. The fixed rotating media promotes the growth of an activated sludge bacteria and accommodates a far greater maximum to minimum flow variation than is possible with the non-fixed film activated sludge systems.

Masig Island RBC plant

The biological process of the RBC treatment system is more robust than the extended aeration activated sludge alternative. Although more expensive than a comparable sized alternative, it is the better of the two choices in certain site situations. The advantages of an RBC system are:

• Low power demand
• Maintenance and housekeeping requirements are minimal
• Only basic operator skills required
• The process is not easily tampered with

All the materials in the RBC plant are chosen for the strength and their appropriateness to the environment in which they are working. The discs are made of polypropylene. The arms and threaded sections are galvanised mild steel, which has been found to be superior to stainless steel due to the repetitive stresses that are inherent in RBC technology. The main shaft is a very robust steel structure, coated with epoxy enamel. The whole spindle assembly is carried on high capacity self aligning roller bearings.

Typical sites for this technology are remote island and mainland sites with variable populations.