The relatively rapid introduction of rotating biological contactors (RBC's) into the United States for municipal wastewater treatment has resulted in the widespread application of a technology with which many design engineers are not intimately familiar. Of necessity, many RBC designs initially were based solely on proprietary-generated empirical design methodology. More recently, as interest in the process has increased, more complex, deterministic design approaches have begun to appear in the technical literature. The purpose of this document is to review and assess existing RBC design procedures and provide more in-depth design information on critical features of the RBC process and key parameters affecting its operation and performance than is typically available to the design engineering community. The information contained in this document is intended to supplement and qualify that available from RBC manufacturers and in the published literature. Topics addressed include process and design considerations for carbonaceous removal, nitrification, and denitrification; equipment reliability and service life; power requirements for air and mechanical drive RBC units; and general system design considerations involving structural, hydraulic, and operational flexibility. A major priority in the preparation of the document was given to emphasizing practical, usable design information as well as important theoretical concepts.

Distributed to depository libraries in microfiche. EP 1.23/8:600/2-84-106 as fiche. "June 1984." Includes bibliographical references. "EPA-600/2-84-106."

"A document summarizing design information for rotating biological contractors (RBC) was developed to provide in-depth data on the critical features of this process and the key factors affecting its operation and performance. The information provided is intended to supplement and qualify that available from RBC manufacturers and the published literature. Topics addressed include process and design considerations for carbonaceous removal, nitrification, and denitrification; equipment reliability and service life; power requirements for air driven and mechanically driven RBC units; and general system design considerations involving structural, hydraulic, and operational flexibility. Practical, usable design information was emphasized along with important theoretical concepts."