ABSTRACT
This chapter presents capital and operating costs for the rotating biological contactor process over a wide range of plant sizes and equipment configurations. A detailed comparison of operating costs and a differential capital cost analysis will be made with the activated sludge process. Power costs are rising and are expected to continue in the same manner. These rising costs, together with the possibility of progressive rate schedules for large users, will have a significant effect on the operating cost of wastewater treatment plants. A comparison of total construction cost for a rotating biological contactor plant with an activated sludge plant will vary from application to application. Construction cost and operating requirements of the RBC process have significant implications for the concept of regionalization of treatment plants. Operating cost reduction represents the greatest area of cost savings for the rotating biological contactor process.
