In one embodiment, a system includes a disinfection system configured to disinfect a first fluid. The system further includes a moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) system configured to treat a second fluid, wherein the disinfection system is fluidly coupled to the MBBR system upstream of the MBBR system, downstream of the MBBR, or wherein the disinfection system is disposed in the MBBR system.

A rotating biological contactor (RBC) is provided that includes a media wheel with a plurality of vanes configured for growth of algae thereon. The media wheel is configured for rotation by air directed from an air diffuser to impinge on the vanes such that when said media wheel is partly immersed in water rotation of the media wheel alternately exposes algae growing on the plurality of vanes to sunlight and to the water. A frame is connected to an axle of the media wheel. Only one of the media wheel and the frame is constructed with a buoyancy sufficient to support the media wheel partly immersed in water during rotation of the media wheel.

A system for reducing total dissolved solids in wastewater can include a vertical reactor that can include a flexible sheet material, where the flexible sheet material can be configured to facilitate the growth and attachment of an algal biofilm. The vertical reactor can include a shaft, where the shaft can be associated with and can support the flexible sheet material, and a drive motor, where the drive motor can be coupled with the shaft such that the flexible sheet material can be selectively actuated. The system can include a fluid reservoir containing a portion of wastewater through which the flexible sheet material is configured to pass as well as a stressor operably configured to stimulate the algae to produce an extracellular polymeric substance. A method of reducing total dissolved solids in wastewater includes moving an algal biofilm through the wastewater and moving the algal biofilm through a gas.

A system for reducing total dissolved solids in wastewater can include a vertical reactor that can include a flexible sheet material, where the flexible sheet material can be configured to facilitate the growth and attachment of an algal biofilm. The vertical reactor can include a shaft, where the shaft can be associated with and can support the flexible sheet material, and a drive motor, where the drive motor can be coupled with the shaft such that the flexible sheet material can be selectively actuated. The system can include a fluid reservoir containing a portion of wastewater through which the flexible sheet material is configured to pass as well as a stressor operably configured to stimulate the algae to produce an extracellular polymeric substance. A method of reducing total dissolved solids in wastewater includes moving an algal biofilm through the wastewater and moving the algal biofilm through a gas.

A completely biological method for removing a first group of micropollutants of pharmaceutical origin and a second group of micropollutants of pharmaceutical origin from raw wastewater includes: providing a first buffer tank upstream of a bioreactor; providing a moving bed membrane bioreactor (MB-MBR) for developing biomass growth both on a fixed support and in suspension in a form of flocs, and on mobile supports, the bioreactor obtaining an effluent with a COD concentration of organic matter of less than 50 mg l.sup.−1 and a total nitrogen concentration of less than 15 mg l.sup.1; providing a biofiltration tank, separate from the first buffer tank of the bioreactor, that includes one or more biologically activated carbon (BAC) columns containing activated carbon; supplying the first buffer tank upstream of the bioreactor with raw wastewater containing micropollutants of pharmaceutical origin; pretreating the wastewater by passing the wastewater through a fine mesh sieve.

A process for forming a biofilm carrier suitable for use in a moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) is presented. A blowing agent is mixed with a plastic material to form a blended material. The blended material is then heated to a temperature where the blowing agent liberates gas by decomposition. The heated blended material is extruded through a die to provide the extrudate with a profile of the biofilm carrier. Advantageously, biofilm carriers produced in this manner have increased effectiveness when compared to conventional biofilm carriers.

A process for forming a biofilm carrier suitable for use in a moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) is presented. A blowing agent is mixed with a plastic material to form a blended material. The blended material is then heated to a temperature where the blowing agent liberates gas by decomposition. The heated blended material is extruded through a die to provide the extrudate with a profile of the biofilm carrier. Advantageously, biofilm carriers produced in this manner have increased effectiveness when compared to conventional biofilm carriers.

The present invention relates to a side stream deammonification process where deammonification is performed by a non-continuous flow integrated fixed film activated sludge sequencing batch reactor (IFAS SBR) without the need of employing an external clarifier. More particularly, the present invention entails a single reactor designed to operate as an IFAS SBR or a moving bed bioreactor (MBBR). With the design of the single tank, the two operation modes, MBBR and IFAS SBR, are interchangeable depending on the treatment needs.

The present invention relates to a water-processing system configured to produce purified waste water. The system comprises an inlet for waste water, one or more biological water-treatment units, and an outlet for purified water. The one or more biological water-treatment units are fluidly connected to the inlet and the outlet. Each of the one or more biological water-treatment units comprises: an inlet for receiving water to be treated, a reactor, an outlet for treated water, and ventilation means configured to provide ventilation to the reactor. The reactor is divided into two or more compartments by one or more screens. Each compartment is in fluid communication with the ventilation means, and comprises a biofilm on one or more surfaces. The reactor is configured to expose at least a portion of the waste water to the biofilm in the presence of air supplied by the ventilation means.

The present invention relates to a water-processing system configured to produce purified waste water. The system comprises an inlet for waste water, one or more biological water-treatment units, and an outlet for purified water. The one or more biological water-treatment units are fluidly connected to the inlet and the outlet. Each of the one or more biological water-treatment units comprises: an inlet for receiving water to be treated, a reactor, an outlet for treated water, and ventilation means configured to provide ventilation to the reactor. The reactor is divided into two or more compartments by one or more screens. Each compartment is in fluid communication with the ventilation means, and comprises a biofilm on one or more surfaces. The reactor is configured to expose at least a portion of the waste water to the biofilm in the presence of air supplied by the ventilation means.