The Design of Water Reclamation Systems Utilizing Biological Reactors

Recent designs of water reclamation systems have differed on how to best utilize biological reactors. Some designs call for the bioreactors to be placed upstream of the distillation units, while other designs put the bio-reactors after the distillation units. The results from these two designs indicate that both designs are effective, but that each fulfills a different role. Specifically, small-scale applications which include ship-board systems or small bases should have the distillation unit before the bioreactor. Larger systems such as more complete land or space based facilities need industrial-scale water reclamation processing and should have the bioreactor before the distillation unit. A process design for each case is described and presented.