Why CDB™Retrofit?
The CDB™ retrofit delivers measurable operational and compliance benefits:
- Increased biological treatment capacity within existing tanks
- Improved nitrification and denitrification efficiency
- Reduced aeration energy demand
- Enhanced effluent quality towards Standard A compliance
- Extended service life of legacy wastewater assets
- Minimal disruption to ongoing plant operations
This makes CDB™ ideal for plants facing capacity constraints, stricter discharge limits, or rising OPEX.
Core Technology Components
1. Mobile Lignocellulosic Biofilm Carriers (Kenaf-Based)
At the heart of the CDB™ system are engineered mobile biofilm carriers produced from Malaysian-grown kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) core material. These carriers simultaneously function as:
High-surface-area media for attached microbial growth
Slow-release organic carbon donors
Mobile elements that circulate freely within aeration basins
This enables simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) within a single biological zone—without additional tanks or complex process reconfiguration.
2. Media Retention & Recovery Screening Systems
To ensure full media retention and continuous reuse, TDS integrates proven rotary belt or fine screening systems into the treatment process. These systems:
Capture circulating CDB™ media
Allow clarified effluent to pass through
Automatically return carriers to the aeration basin
Provide simultaneous sludge thickening benefits
The result is a stable, closed-loop biofilm process with minimal operator intervention.
3. Retrofit Without Major Civil Works
The CDB™ system is purpose-designed for retrofit applications, avoiding costly plant expansions or shutdowns. Typical retrofit scope includes:
Introduction of CDB™ carriers into existing aeration basins
Installation of sidestream or downstream screening units
Integration with existing blowers, pumps, and SCADA systems
No major structural demolition or tank reconstruction is required.
4. Engineering Foundation
CDB™ is built on well-established biological treatment principles, including:
Attached-growth biofilm kinetics
Moving bed biofilm dynamics
Carbon-assisted nitrogen removal
High-efficiency surface area utilization
By combining mobile biofilm carriers with reliable recovery systems, CDB™ delivers higher biological efficiency while maintaining operational simplicity.
5. Designed for Malaysian Conditions
The CDB™ platform is engineered with a strong localisation strategy:
Locally manufactured biofilm media
Integration with Malaysian agricultural supply chains
Optimised for tropical influent characteristics
Fully compatible with national regulatory discharge standards
This supports Malaysia’s sustainability, circular economy, and resource optimisation objectives.
6. Applications & Plant Capacity
CDB™ is suitable for a wide range of applications:
Municipal sewage treatment plants
Industrial effluent treatment facilities
Food and beverage processing plants
Agro-industrial wastewater systems
The modular design allows deployment from small municipal plants to systems exceeding 100 MLD.
Open Integration Philosophy
TDS adopts an open, engineering-driven integration approach, combining:
Locally manufactured bio-derived media
Proven third-party mechanical equipment
Transparent and auditable process design
This ensures interoperability, reliability, and long-term maintainability for plant owners and operators.
Engineering & Technical Services
TDS provides end-to-end professional support, including:
Process performance assessment
Aeration basin modelling and optimisation
Retrofit feasibility and cost-benefit studies
Pilot and proof-of-concept testing
Full EPC and commissioning services