Single-Stage RBC: A Sustainable Solution for Dairy Wastewater Treatment

A biological treatment method called the Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC) employs fixed films that can be used as a component of the secondary treatment procedure. This study describes the use of a single stage rotating biological contactor (RBC) for the treatment of dairy effluent. This unit was fabricated as a lab scale unit for treating small quantity of dairy wastewater, to remove organic pollutants. Usually found on a similar horizontal shaft, an RBC unit is made up of several closely spaced huge flat or corrugated discs that are either fully or partially submerged in wastewater. A biofilm is created on the whole surface area of the media, which breaks down the organic materials in the wastewater, while the shaft is continuously rotated by a mechanical motor or a compressed air drive. These discs attract microorganisms, which then grow on them. Typically, the discs that are fixed to the surface of a rotating shaft are composed of plastic but in the present study it is made up of acrylic material. In this research, discs of RBC are covered with two different bio-film medium such as Raw jute and Scouring sheet. Based on a comparison of the findings for this investigation, it has been determined that Raw jut as a bio-media can give more efficiency of BOD and COD removal as compared to scouring sheet as a media for 72 hr. of hydraulic retention time and at 5rpm.