Application of Subsurface Bioreactor for Wastewater Treatment

The removal of the pharmaceuticals ibuprofen and naproxen from wastewater was investigated using a sequencing biological reactor and a subsurface bioreactor installed at a municipal waste water treatment plant. The subsurface bioreactor was operated as a 24h tidal flow system and continuous horizontal flow system. The influent level ranged between the sequencing biological reactors shows an overall greater removal rate between 67.5 % for low influent levels of 0.4 μg/l to 1.05 μg/l and up to 99.5% for influent levels of up to 24.20 μg/l. The subsurface bioreactor can remove pharmaceutical compounds in the range of 40% to 95% depending on the pharmaceutical compound and the operation procedure. The subsurface bioreactor system could remove between 9.43% of up to 66.67% at low influent levels of 0.4 μg/l to 1.05 μg/l. The removal rate of pharmaceuticals increases to 95% for influent levels over 22.00 0.4 μg/l. While pharmaceutical removal from wastewater is dependent on many factors, the operation of a subsurface bioreactor might offer a alternative to conventional systems. The data indicates that both systems remove ibuprofen and naproxen from municipal waste water better at higher influent levels.