AGAR®: moving beds

The AGAR® moving beds process is a combination of the activated sludge technology and biofilm processes. It is often implemented in the existing wastewater treatment plants, in particular to save space or to avoid arduous construction works. The AGAR® Process is successfully implemented for both dissolved organic matter and nitrogen removal.

AGAR® ABC 

The AGAR® Process involves thousands of biomass carriers produced from polyethylene. Since the density of these carriers is similar to that of water, they float in the liquid inside the activated sludge reactor. The biomass carriers’ active surface of over 650 m2/m3 biofilter is protected against abrasion and shear. Each cm2 of this active surface is covered by a biofilm of heterotrophic and autotrophic bacteria filling the carriers’ pores. AGAR® ABC biomass carriers usually take up 10-70% of the activated sludge tank’s volume. Fine bubble aeration utilizing the highly efficient diffusers or medium bubble aeration utilizing the IAS system supply the required amount of air, which allows for complete mixing and prevents the formation of the inactive bed layer.

High treatment efficiency is guaranteed by the high population density of the microorganisms covering the biomass carriers. The effective amount of biomass in the activated sludge tank can exceed several times the one in conventional activated sludge systems. The activated sludge age is higher, but its loading rate is lower in the AGAR® Process than in classic activated sludge technologies.

Thanks to a system of screens the AGAR® biomass carriers are protected from escaping from the activated sludge tank and thus they do not influence the operation of other parts of the plant. Since the process does not involve any non-standard equipment it can not only be installed in the new wastewater treatment plants, but it can fit into most existing plants, without infrastructure development required for additional tankage.

Polish Radio about PP-EKO's moving bed reference (in Polish):
Materiał Polskie Radio Program 1 7 grudzień 2009 (format .mp3)