Wastewater Technology Fact Sheet: Sequencing Batch Reactors

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United StatesEnvironmental ProtectionAgencyOffice of WaterWashington, 932-F-99-073September 1999WastewaterTechnology Fact SheetSequencing Batch ReactorsDESCRIPTIONThe Sequencing Batch reactor (SBR) is a fill-and-draw activated sludge system for wastewatertreatment. In this system, Wastewater is added to asingle Batch reactor, treated to removeundesirable components, and then , aeration, and clarification can all beachieved using a single Batch reactor. To optimizethe performance of the system, two or more batchreactors are used in a predetermined sequence ofoperations. SBR systems have been successfullyused to treat both municipal and industrialwastewater. They are uniquely suited forwastewater treatment applications characterized bylow or intermittent flow Batch processes similar to the SBRare not a recent development as commonly 1914 and 1920, several full-scale fill-and-draw systems were in operation.

wastewater constituents during preceding cycles. Once the reactor is full, it behaves like a conventional activated sludge system, but without a continuous influent or effluent flow. The …

  Cycle, Batch