Manufacturing high quality rotating biological contactor’s for the uk water industry

Abstract EN

The principle of the Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC) was originated in the early part of the century and today there are many thousands of units operating worldwide.

However, the RBC has been plagued with mechanical deficiencies since its conception.

This paper presents a brief insight into some of the major mechanical defects associated with RBC’s.

These findings have been documented as part of the largest mechanical survey of operational RBC units ever undertaken.

Having the benefit of a thorough understanding of the mechanisms and reasons for mechanical failure, a new approach to designing RBC’s is discussed.

This has resulted in Water companies and independent operators seeking a new generation of RBC with a guaranteed operational life of twenty years.

Furthermore, it displays the benefits of Academia working in partnership with Industry to produce low cost, high quality equipment.

The manufacture of the ‘Cranfield’ designed RBC unit is undertaken by Copa Ltd.

The design offers a twenty year warranty and is currently supplied to a few of the major Water companies in the United Kingdom.

This warranty is unique within the United Kingdom Water Industry where guarantees of 3 to 6 years have previously been provided by manufacturers of water industry plant.