Evaluation of an Existing RBC Plant in Egypt

International Journal of Civil Engineering

© 2025 by SSRG - IJCE Journal

Volume 12 Issue 4

Year of Publication : 2025

Authors : Alaa Adel Mouneer, Mohamed El Hosseiny El Nadi, Ghada M. Nazir Bassouini

10.14445/23488352/IJCE-V12I4P102

How to Cite?

Alaa Adel Mouneer, Mohamed El Hosseiny El Nadi, Ghada M. Nazir Bassouini, "Evaluation of an Existing RBC Plant in Egypt," SSRG International Journal of Civil Engineering, vol. 12,  no. 4, pp. 8-17, 2025. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488352/IJCE-V12I4P102

Abstract:

Rotating biological contactors technology is one of the applied wastewater treatment technologies in Egyptian rural areas. RBC plants’ performance in Egypt falls below the expected standards from their design criteria. This study investigates the causes of deterioration and the problems facing RBC technology in Egypt. This was achieved through reviewing and evaluating the existing situation for El-Manayel WWTP, including design review and evaluation of existing structure status for plant units, as well as evaluation of the applied operation and maintenance procedure. The study’s findings revealed that the treatment units could achieve their designed effluent results for a short period only; after this period, the biological treatment deteriorates because of the random operation and the lack of preventive maintenance. The major detected problems were the repetitive mechanical equipment failures, and using non-durable materials for the replaced parts during performing the corrective maintenance. It has been proven that the design of the plant’s treatment units is suitable for the incoming influent, adequate for the local climate, and capable of achieving the required effluent quality, complying with the Egyptian law no.48 of 1982 concerning the protection of the Nile and the water channels against pollution.

Keywords:

Wastewater, Rotating Biological Contactors, RBC, Biological wastewater treatment, O&M.

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