Attached Growth Process

Submerged Aerobic Fixed Film Reactor (SAFF) is a cost-effective method of waste water treatment and sewage sanitation that is primarily used in residential and commercial complexes. SAFF process is attached growth type aerobic biological process which uses corrugated inert UV stabilized PVC media. Unlike other aerobic processes of suspended growth principally it provides higher mechanical surface area due to corrugation on media surface. This higher surface area helps biomass microbes for rapid digestion of biomass.

In the wastewater industry, SAFF Technology is used commonly for commercial and residential sewage sanitation / waste water treatment, particularly for small to medium range flow requirements. The air for process is supplied through mechanical aeration system arrangement which consist of blower and diffusers. The structured SAFF media arranged in reactor is fixed with bottom support arrangement.

Advantage of SAFF process

• MLSS concentration is much higher than what is normally achieved in aeration system of ASP process.
• Higher loading of BOD on the media enables to reduce the aeration tank size. SAFF requires 25-40% lesser tank volume as compared to activated sludge process.
• Cross-corrugation pattern of media ensures that air bubble travels in zigzag fashion, thus increasing the bubble travel path and thereby increasing the oxygen transfer rates.
• SAFF system takes higher shock loads without reducing the plant performance because of large quantity of MLSS available inside the reactor.
• Rate of sludge generation is normally lesser as compared to conventional system.
• Life of SAFF system is long (about 10-15 years) as inert PVC media material is used. Non pressurized system.
• This process is modification of activated sludge process which have eliminated its limitations.
• All these process produces better quality treated wastewater than conventional activated sludge process.
• Easily meets discharge norms.
• Odour problems, maintenance problems, are eliminated.
• High MLSS – Less Space required for the treatment.
• SAFF process able to achieve 95-98% BOD reduction.

Due to above advantages the SAFF process is used commonly in package systems where compactness of treatment is key factor.

MBBR (Moving bed biofilm reactor) as the name suggests is a high rate attached growth aerobic treatment system wherein the bacterial growth takes place on a inert PP media. MBBR process uses the floating type plastic media for the attached growth process. Treatment units based on MBBR are operating successfully worldwide, as the technology is rugged and simple to operate. Units can be pre-assembled for rapid on-site installation. The major advantages include a compact, efficient design (less than a half of conventional plants), low sludge generation, low odor and low visual impact, and simple maintenance requirements. Like SAFF process the basic principle of treatment is attached growth which is carried out on media surface which is extensively corrugated specialized structure. Sparkle offers various grades of MBBR reactor media i.e. cylindrical, Spiral, Spiral media, etc.

Advantage of MBBR process

• MLSS concentration is much higher than what is normally achieved in aeration system of ASP process.
• Higher loading of BOD on the media enables to reduce the aeration tank size. MBBR requires 60 % lesser tank volume as compared to activated sludge process.
• Based on attached growth process, where media is floating in aeration tank, hence it provides maximum surface area.
• MBBR system takes higher shock loads without reducing the plant performance because of large quantity of MLSS available inside the reactor.
• Rate of sludge generation is normally lesser as compared to conventional system.
• Life of MBBR system is long (about 10-15 years) as inert PVC media material is used. Non pressurized system.
• All these process produces better quality treated wastewater than conventional activated sludge process.
• Easily meets discharge norms.
• Space requirement is less. Treatment units can be accommodated in smallest available area.
• Treated waste water can be reused for various applications like: flushing in toilets, gardening, road washing, car washing, construction activities after softening treatment it can reused for cooling towers makeup etc.
• Odor problems, maintenance problems, are eliminated.
• High MLSS – Less Space required for the treatment.
• Due to use of diffused aeration power consumption is less. Small reactor size also helps to reduce power requirement, maintenance problems
• Treatment is principally based on most proven activated sludge process.
• MBBR process able to achieve 95-98% BOD reduction.

Due to above advantages the SAFF process is used commonly in package systems where compactness of treatment is key factor.