RETROFITTING EXISTING MBR SYSTEMS WITHNEXT GENERATION MBR TECHNOLOGY

摘要

Membrane bioreactors (MBR) with submerged membrane modules have set the standard for thernnext generation of biological wastewater treatment plants as they offer two main advantages; arnsignificantly improved effluent quality and a substantially smaller footprint. Besides the hugernapplication for municipal wastewater treatment, there is a growing and diverse industrialrnapplications segment where MBR technology is being implemented.rnOver the last couple of years, the MBR industry has produced a remarkable diversity of filtrationrnmodules. Many potential MBR operators are, however, concerned that the heart of the MBRrnprocess is based on proprietary products that are not compatible with each other. Furthermore,rnnot only are the filtration modules incompatible, but also the electromechanical equipmentrnsurrounding the modules can take many forms and modes of operation.rnIt might be expected that interchangeable MBR filtration modules will increase the willingnessrnof decision makers to invest in MBR technology and will contribute to a growth of the municipalrnmarket in particular. A membrane module that is interchangeable with most leading submergedrnmembrane products is now available. This paper describes the practical experiences of MBRrninterchangeability and shows its benefits for MBR operators based on case studies of severalrnMBR systems where the original modules have be removed and the existing systems retrofit withrnnew modules.