Performance and kinetics analysis of an aerobic sequencing batch flexible fibre biofilm reactor for milk processing wastewater treatment.

In this study, a sequencing batch flexible fibre biofilm reactor (SB-FFBR) is used for efficient and cost-effective treatment of milk processing wastewater (MPW). The SB-FFBR, modified type of a typical sequencing batch reactor (SBR), is made up of eight bundles of flexible fibre as a supporting media for microorganisms'growth. The working volume and the cycle length of the bioreactor are 8 L and 24 h, respectively. The biological performance of the bioreactor is studied at 10, 3 and 10 various levels of the influent chemical oxygen demand (COD; 610-8193 mg L), retention time (RT; 1, 1.6 and 2 days), and organic loading rate (OLR; 0.38-8.19 gCOD md), respectively. From the results, the minimum COD and total suspended solids (TSS) removal efficiency of 86.8% and 77.3% were achieved at OLR of 8.2 kg COD md, COD of 8193 mg L and RT of 1 day. While, an excellent COD and TSS removal efficiency were found to be 97.5% and 99.3%, respectively, at low OLR of 0.4 kg COD md, COD of 945 mg L and RT of 2 days. Furthermore, the kinetic coefficients of COD removal were computed using a first order substrate removal model at different COD concentrations. The first order kinetic constant, (k), was 0.60, 0.65 and 0.357 h for 500, 810 and 2000 mg COD L, respectively. The use of the flexible fibre as a packing material provided a huge surface area for more microorganism attachment. Therefore, the results demonstrated the SB-FFBR has acted as a suitable and effective strategy in treatment of milk processing industrial wastewater.