Infrastructure optimisation via MBR retrofit: a design guide

Abstract

Wastewater management is continually evolving with the development and implementation of new, more efficient technologies. One of these is the Membrane Bioreactor (MBR). Although a relatively new technology in Australia, MBR wastewater treatment has been widely used elsewhere for over 20 years, with thousands of MBRs now in operation worldwide. Over the past 5 years, MBR technology has been enthusiastically embraced in Australia as a potential treatment upgrade option, and via retrofit typically offers two major benefits: (1) more capacity using mostly existing facilities, and (2) very high quality treated effluent. However, infrastructure optimisation via MBR retrofit is not a simple or low-cost solution and there are many factors which should be carefully evaluated before deciding on this method of plant upgrade. The paper reviews a range of design parameters which should be carefully evaluated when considering an MBR retrofit solution. Several actual and conceptual case studies are considered to demonstrate both advantages and disadvantages. Whilst optimising existing facilities and production of high quality water for reuse are powerful drivers, it is suggested that MBRs are perhaps not always the most sustainable Whole-of-Life solution for a wastewater treatment plant upgrade, especially by way of a retrofit.

Operating Large Scale Membrane Bioreactors for Municipal Wastewater Treatment

“…Recent reports from the Americas (Yang et al, 2006;Mokbel et al, 2009), South-Africa (Erwee et al, 2009, Australia (Bagg, 2009) and Asia (Hashimoto et al, 2009;Tao et al, 2009) provide evidence of the ever-increasing interest in the technology and a growing number of applications worldwide.…”

The optimal MBR configuration: Hybrid versus stand-alone — Comparison between three full-scale MBRs treating municipal wastewater

“…Growth in plant numbers is accompanied with diversity of configurations and design concepts. The MBR technology is commonly applied to new wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), but they are also introduced in case of upgrades or retrofits of already existing WWTPs [2][3][4]. There are several reasons why wastewater treatment plants need to be modernized, for example, old and out-dated infrastructure, equipment upgrade, more stringent effluent quality requirements and insufficient hydraulic or biological capacity due to increasing pollution load.…”

Brewery resource and energy recovery system

“…Research was initially conducted to investigate possible solutions for the system. Aerobic and anaerobic techniques can be used to increase water quality and enhance methane production from the water treatment process [1,2]. The biogas generated from the WWTP must have the moisture removed in order to generate usable fuel.…”