MBBR Sizing Calculator
Calculate required media surface area, reactor volume, and HRT for Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) design. Based on the SALR method with temperature correction.
Free · SALR Method · Temperature CorrectedMBBR Design Parameters
Based on Surface Area Loading Rate (SALR) method. Media assumed: AnoxKaldnes K5 type (500 m²/m³), 50% fill.
Used for SALR temperature correction (θ = 1.06)
CPCB limit for inland discharge: ≤ 30 mg/L
How to Use This Calculator
- 1Enter the wastewater flow rate in KLD and the operating temperature (°C) at your site.
- 2Enter the inlet BOD from lab analysis and your target outlet BOD (≤30 mg/L for CPCB inland discharge).
- 3Select the SALR loading rate — use Standard (5 g/m²/day) for most applications. Conservative for difficult wastewaters.
MBBR Design Formulas
# SALR Method for MBBR Sizing
BOD removed (g/day) = Flow (KLD) × (BOD_in − BOD_out)
Media area (m²) = BOD removed (g/day) ÷ SALR_corrected (g/m²/day)
SALR_T = SALR_25°C × 1.06^(T − 25) [temperature correction]
Media volume (m³) = Media area ÷ 500 [K5 media: 500 m²/m³]
Tank volume (m³) = Media volume ÷ 0.50 [50% fill fraction]
HRT (hrs) = Tank volume ÷ Flow (KLD) × 24
What is MBBR?
The Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) is a compact, high-performance biological wastewater treatment process. Polyethylene media carriers (biofilm carriers) circulate freely in the aeration tank, providing a protected surface area for biofilm growth. MBBR combines the advantages of both activated sludge and biofilm processes.
Key advantages of MBBR: smaller footprint than conventional activated sludge, no sludge recirculation required, robust performance under variable loads, and easy capacity expansion by increasing media fill.
Spans Envirotech has extensive experience designing and commissioning MBBR systems across food & beverage, municipal, pharmaceutical, and industrial sectors.
Learn more: Read our detailed guide on MBBR Technology including process description, advantages, and applications.
Designing an MBBR System?
Spans Envirotech specialises in MBBR design, supply, and commissioning for municipal and industrial wastewater treatment across India and internationally.