MBBR-Revolutionizing Salmon Farming Wastewater Treatment

In the dynamic world of salmon farming, environmental sustainability has emerged as a crucial concern. As the industry continues to expand, the need for efficient wastewater treatment solutions becomes even more pressing. Norway’s salmon farming giant SalMar has made remarkable strides in this regard by integrating the Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) and ozone oxidation technology to achieve zero discharge of aquaculture wastewater and secure EU environmental certification. This achievement not only sets a new benchmark for the aquaculture sector but also highlights the immense potential of MBBR technology. At the forefront of this technological revolution is HNS Watertech, offering MBBR products that are set to transform the way salmon farming wastewater is managed.

Challenges in the Salmon Farming Industry

Salmon farming plays a vital role in supplying high-quality protein to consumers worldwide. However, it also brings along significant environmental challenges. Aquaculture wastewater is laden with contaminants such as organic matter, ammonia nitrogen, and phosphorus. If discharged untreated, it can wreak havoc on aquatic ecosystems. Excessive ammonia nitrogen can trigger eutrophication, leading to algal blooms that deplete oxygen levels and endanger aquatic life. The decomposition of organic matter also consumes dissolved oxygen, disrupting the ecological balance. Therefore, the development of efficient and sustainable wastewater treatment technologies is essential for the long-term viability of the salmon farming industry.

The MBBR Technology: Principle and Advantages

Principle

The MBBR technology is a highly efficient biofilm-based treatment process. At its core, it involves filling reactors with specialized moving bed biofilm carriers that offer extensive attachment surfaces for microorganisms. As wastewater passes through the reactor, microorganisms colonize the carrier surfaces, forming biofilms. Through their metabolic activities, these biofilms break down and convert organic matter and ammonia nitrogen present in the wastewater into harmless substances. Microorganisms utilize the organic matter as a source of carbon and energy for growth, while simultaneously converting ammonia nitrogen into nitrogen gas, thereby purifying the wastewater.

Unique Advantages

1. High-efficiency Pollutant Removal: HNS Watertech’s MBBR products feature carriers with large specific surface areas, enabling the attachment of a significant number of highly active microorganisms. In practical applications, the removal rate of organic matter from wastewater can exceed 85%, and that of ammonia nitrogen can surpass 80%, effectively reducing pollutant levels and ensuring compliance with stringent discharge standards.
2. Robust Resistance to Shock Loads: In the face of fluctuations in wastewater quality and quantity during salmon farming, such as those caused by changes in stocking density and seasonal variations, HNS Watertech’s MBBR products, with their unique biofilm structures and microbial communities, can quickly adapt. This adaptability ensures stable treatment performance and continuous efficient operation of the system.
3. Cost-effective Operation: From an energy consumption perspective, HNS Watertech’s MBBR products incorporate optimized aeration designs, resulting in relatively low aeration requirements. Compared to traditional treatment processes, energy costs can be reduced by 30% – 40%. Additionally, the carriers have a long service life, typically ranging from 5 to 8 years, and low maintenance costs, further lowering the overall operating cost.

Application of HNS Watertech’s MBBR Products in Salmon Farming Wastewater Treatment

1. Synergistic Effect with Ozone Oxidation: Drawing inspiration from SalMar’s success, HNS Watertech’s MBBR products can be seamlessly integrated with ozone oxidation technology. Initially, the MBBR reactor performs preliminary biological treatment on aquaculture wastewater, removing the majority of organic matter and ammonia nitrogen, providing favorable inlet conditions for subsequent ozone oxidation and reducing ozone consumption while enhancing oxidation efficiency. The ozone oxidation unit then further decomposes the residual refractory organic matter after MBBR treatment, ensuring that the wastewater approaches zero discharge standards.
2. System Stability Assurance: In practical applications, the excellent shock load resistance of HNS Watertech’s MBBR products lays a stable foundation for the entire wastewater treatment system. Even during peak farming seasons or periods of sudden water quality changes, it can effectively cope, guaranteeing treatment results. Coupled with the rapid response capabilities of the ozone oxidation unit, the system’s adaptability to changes in wastewater quality is significantly enhanced, greatly improving system stability and reliability.
3. Reduction of Comprehensive Costs: Through the combined application of MBBR and ozone oxidation, not only are the operating costs of individual technologies reduced, but also the environmental risks are mitigated. The low energy consumption and low maintenance cost of HNS Watertech’s MBBR products, combined with the high-efficiency removal capabilities and no-secondary-pollution characteristics of the ozone oxidation unit, effectively control the operating costs and environmental risks of the entire wastewater treatment system, saving aquaculture enterprises substantial amounts of money and potential environmental remediation costs.

Far-reaching Impacts on the Salmon Farming Industry

1. Setting a New Green Standard: HNS Watertech’s MBBR products empower aquaculture enterprises to achieve efficient wastewater treatment, setting a new green standard for the industry. This encourages more companies to increase their environmental investments and adopt advanced technologies, driving the entire salmon farming industry towards a greener and more sustainable future.
2. Driving Technological Innovation and Progress: The application of HNS Watertech’s MBBR products provides new ideas and directions for salmon farming wastewater treatment. Its successful implementation will prompt more enterprises and research institutions to learn from and optimize the technology, developing more efficient and economical wastewater treatment technologies based on their specific circumstances, thereby enhancing the overall environmental protection level of the industry.
3. Facilitating Sustainable Development: Effective treatment of aquaculture wastewater to minimize its negative impact on aquatic ecosystems and protect the marine environment is crucial for the sustainable development of the salmon farming industry. HNS Watertech’s MBBR products help enterprises achieve this goal, ensuring the long-term stability of the salmon farming industry and meeting the growing demand of global consumers for high-quality salmon.

In today’s era of rapid transformation in the salmon farming industry towards green and sustainable practices, HNS Watertech’s MBBR products, with their high efficiency, stability, and cost-effectiveness, stand out as the ideal choice for aquaculture wastewater treatment. They not only help enterprises overcome environmental challenges but also enhance their competitiveness, contributing to the sustainable development of the salmon farming industry.