Sequence Batch Reactors in the Pulp and Paper Industry a Bench-Marking Study, 1998 Environmental Conference Proceedings

There has been recent application of sequencing batch reactor (SBR) technology to the secondary treatment of pulp and paper wastewaters. To date, there are ten SBR systems in Canada treating wastewater from the groundwood, corrugated medium, deink, TMP, BCTMP, Kraft and paper mills. While all the SBR systems share the same basic technology, the design varies from mill to mill, and the question arises as to how overall system design is impacting performance and efficiency. For example, certain mills chose influent equalization prior to treatment, others excluded primary clarification, and different aeration systems were selected, etc. To answer this question, a questionnaire was prepared in the third quarter of 1996 and sent to mills operating SBR systems. The data from the first survey was compiled and resubmitted to the respective mills for corrections and additional input in the third quarter of 1997. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the data and compare systems with respect to major differences in design, operations and performance.