Which activated sludge process can remove CBOD, nitrify, and denitrify all in the same reactor tank?

The sequencing batch reactor (SBR) is specifically designed to perform multiple treatment processes in a single tank, making it a versatile choice in wastewater treatment. In SBR systems, the treatment process occurs in batch mode, allowing for sequential operations such as filling, reacting, settling, and decanting within the same tank.

This capability enables the SBR to effectively remove carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD), as well as perform nitrification and denitrification. During the reaction phase, aerobic conditions can be maintained to facilitate nitrification, where ammonia is converted into nitrate. By manipulating the oxygen levels, the SBR can transition to anaerobic conditions for denitrification, where nitrates are converted to nitrogen gas.

The characteristics of the SBR process make it particularly suited to handle variations in wastewater flow and load, allowing for optimal performance across multiple biological processes.