Sequencing Batch Reactor as an Efficient Alternative to Wastewater Treatment–A Model from Pharmaceutical Industries

Discharge of industrial wastewater to surface or groundwater pollutes the environment. Therefore, treatment of any kind of wastewater before letting it off as effluent is always necessary to prevent contamination of natural systems, especially water. In this regard choosing an effective treatment system assumes importance. Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) system has proven to offer substantial benefits to alternative conventional flow systems for the biological treatment of both domestic and industrial wastewaters. Operationally, SBR is extremely flexible in its ability to meet many different treatment objectives, while physically it is very simple. Sequencing batch (fill-and-draw) biological reactors can be operated to provide equalization, treatment, and sedimentation in the same set of reactors. The wastewaters can be held in the treatment systems until the desired effluent quality is achieved. The above results were obtained through the experiments carried out in a pharmaceutical industry. The effluents generated by the industry are pretreated and taken to evaporation system. The effluent condensate generated, containing organic load is taken to sequencing batch reactor for further treatment. The results are very encouraging and cost effective. This paper describes the SBR physical system and explains approaches to develop the design needed to meet different treatment objectives.