MBBR Helps Seafood Manufacturer Meet Regulatory Requirements

Seafood processor in Manta Ecuador has a high strength wastewater with TSS as high as 20,000 mg/l, FOG 700 mg/l, COD of 13,000 mg/l and BOD of 6,000 mg/l. Wastewater is discharged into Pacific Ocean across the street from the factory. Current treatment plant produces effluent with TSS of 150 mg/l, FOG of 80 mg/l, COD's of 800 mg/l and BOD of 400 mg/l on average. New laws require that seafood processing streams that are discharged to the Ocean have TSS below 100 mg/l, FOG below 50 mg/l or better, COD below 500 mg/l and BOD below 250 mg/l. Plant has a very limited space to further treat their effluents. An MBBR System was designed, installed and is currently operated to help meet regulatory requirements. This manuscript describes design and operation of the MBBR System.