RBC Plants
Large sized RBC managed-flow wastewater treatment plants.
KEE Services is a global leader in RBC water treatment, providing robust, “set-and-forget” solutions for onsite wastewater management. Our RBC wastewater systems are engineered to handle variable flows while maintaining exceptional effluent standards. With a focus on structural longevity and energy efficiency, KEE Rotating Biological Contactors are the preferred choice for commercial, residential, and municipal applications where reliability is non-negotiable.
Advanced RBC Wastewater Treatment: The KEE Advantage
For over sixty years, KEE has been a leader in the development of RBC wastewater technology. The Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC) is a fixed-film biological process that offers significant advantages over traditional activated sludge or aeration systems. By providing a stable surface for biomass growth, our RBCs deliver a resilient treatment process that naturally adapts to the fluctuations of actual water usage.
How RBC Water Treatment Works
The core of the RBC water treatment process consists of a series of closely spaced large-diameter discs mounted on a central shaft. As the shaft rotates slowly, the discs are alternately exposed to the wastewater and the atmosphere.
- Biological Growth: A natural biomass of aerobic bacteria attaches itself to the discs.
- Oxygenation: The rotation ensures that the biomass is regularly aerated, providing the oxygen necessary for the bacteria to break down organic matter (BOD).
- Efficiency: Since the biomass is fixed to the media, it cannot be easily washed out during hydraulic surges, ensuring consistent performance even during peak flow events.
Key Performance Features
- Low Energy Demand: The slow rotation requires less power, resulting in significantly lower utility bills than blown-air systems.
- Structural Integrity: KEE shafts are designed for a 30-year lifespan, using heavy-duty bearings and corrosion-resistant materials to withstand harsh environments.
- Quiet and Discrete: Designed for near-silent operation with no odour nuisance, making them suitable for locations close to occupied buildings.
- High-Quality Effluent: Capable of meeting stringent discharge standards for BOD, suspended solids, and ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N).
Versatile Applications for RBC Technology
Our RBC water treatment plants are modular and scalable, making them ideal for a wide range of sectors:
- Small Communities & Housing Developments: Cost-effective sewage treatment for off-grid residential areas.
- Hospitality & Leisure: Robust enough to handle high-strength waste from hotels, pubs, and restaurants.
- Educational Facilities: Scalable systems for schools and colleges with varying term-time loads.
- Industrial Pre-Treatment: Reducing the load on municipal sewers to lower trade effluent charges.
Lifecycle Support from KEE Services
At KEE, we not only provide the technology; we ensure it performs for decades. Our nationwide team of British Water-accredited engineers offers comprehensive support for all RBC wastewater systems, including:
- Preventative Maintenance: Tailored service visits to ensure mechanical and biological health.
- Emergency Repairs: Rapid response for motor gearboxes or bearing replacements.
- Process Optimisation: Fine-tuning your RBC to meet evolving environmental regulations.
Does your site require a reliable wastewater upgrade? Consult with a KEE Engineer to discover how our RBC technology can provide a lifetime of trouble-free treatment.
FAQs
Can RBC water treatment handle nutrient removal?
Modern RBC (Rotating Biological Contactor) water treatment systems are highly effective at nitrification, which is the process of removing ammonia. Additionally, these systems can be configured to remove phosphorus. This capability makes them particularly suitable for sites that need to comply with strict environmental discharge permits from the Environment Agency or local water authorities.
Are RBC plants suitable for seasonal sites like campsites or hotels?
One of the greatest strengths of RBC water treatment is its capacity to manage variable loads effectively. Since the bacteria remain attached to the discs (known as fixed-film), the biomass is not washed away during periods of high flow. This makes it an ideal solution for pubs, hotels, and holiday parks, where water usage can fluctuate from week to week.
What are the main advantages of RBC water treatment?
Compared to standard aeration systems, RBC (Rotating Biological Contactor) water treatment offers several key benefits for operators:
- Low Energy Consumption: The slow shaft rotation requires significantly less power than high-pressure air blowers.
- Quiet and Odourless Operation: These units operate almost silently and, when properly maintained, produce no unpleasant odours.
Stable Performance: The fixed-film biomass is highly resilient to “shock loads” and flow fluctuations, making it more stable than suspended-growth systems.
