Porous biological carrier for wastewater treatment using MBBR technology
As the volume of wastewater from domestic, industrial and agricultural activities continues to increase, various biological treatment technologies have been introduced and applied. Among these, Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) technology has emerged as one of the most widely adopted and effective solutions.
MBBR technology is a biological treatment system that uses mobile biological carriers within a reaction tank to provide a surface for microorganisms to form biofilms, enabling them to break down organic matter and other pollutants in wastewater. The carriers are designed with a large surface area and a specialised structure to maximise microbial attachment, while remaining in continuous motion within the tank through an aeration system.
At present, porous biological carriers based on polyethylene (PE) available in Vietnam are still largely imported from overseas. To address this challenge, a research team comprising MSc Mai Duc Huynh, Pro. Dr. Thai Hoang, Asso. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Vu Giang, together with colleagues from the Institute of Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), and the Hung Yen Provincial Department of Science and Technology, has successfully developed an optimised domestic solution.
The invention was granted Patent No. 54058 by the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam on October 31, 2025, under the title "Porous biological carrier and method for manufacturing the porous biological carrier."
The patented porous biological carrier is manufactured using materials suitable for production conditions in Vietnam, including polyethylene (PE) as the base polymer, a blend of polyethylene oxide and maleic anhydride-grafted polyethylene (PEO:PEgMA), the foaming agent azodicarbonamide (C₂H₄N₄O₂, AC3000F), the anti-collapse additive glycerol (Hari 95), and limestone powder. The product is designed for use as a moving microbial carrier in domestic wastewater treatment systems employing MBBR technology.
This combination produces a new generation of moving biological carriers with an optimised porous structure and high mechanical strength, enabling efficient treatment of both domestic and industrial wastewater.
Mastering the technology for manufacturing porous biological carriers domestically delivers significant economic and environmental benefits. It substantially reduces production costs compared with imported products, enabling wastewater treatment plant operators to lower both initial investment and maintenance expenses. At the same time, it helps meet the growing demand for high-performance wastewater treatment systems in Vietnam, contributing to the reduction of water pollution and the improvement of environmental quality.
Translated by Tuyet Nhung
Link to Vietnamese version
