Experience from the Implementation and Operation of the Biological Membrane Reactor (MBR) at the Modernized Wastewater Treatment Plant in Wydminy

Abstract

Biological membrane reactors or membrane bioreactors (MBRs) based on pressure separation techniques are placed among the latest and most modern methods of wastewater treatment. Currently, this method is becoming more and more popular and is being implemented in smaller and larger wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). However, technologists, operators, and managers of small WWTPs often do not understand the MBR technology installed in their sites and need extensive professional and technological information. The aim of this study was to analyze the modernized WWTP in a small town of Wydminy, located in northeastern Poland in the Great Masurian Lakes region, where the traditional secondary settling tank was replaced by an MBR. The effectiveness of wastewater treatment before modernization and after installation of the membrane module was compared. On the basis of the conducted research, it was noted that the operation of the plant after modernization is more cost-intensive. There were additional electricity costs due to ensuring adequate pressure on the membrane. Nevertheless, the obtained results of the removal of contaminants place the plant in Wydminy in the group of the most effective Polish sewage treatment plants, as compared to the results obtained in other facilities. The MBR operation also places high demands on the exploiters, prompting them to observe even the smallest changes. The conducted research is a type of a case study, which could give the readers an understanding of the necessity of traditional WWTP modernization with MBR.

Sorption of Heavy Metals by Sewage Sludge and Its Mixtures with Soil from Wastewater Treatment Plants Operating in MBR and INR Technology

“…The first facility, the wastewater treatment plant in Kunow, uses the technology of biological membrane reactors. MBR technology is recognized as the best possible technology for wastewater treatment (BAT = best available technology) within the meaning of the IPPC Directive, Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control [ 36 , 37 ]. Ultrafiltration on membranes allows maintaining in the biological reactor a many times higher concentration of activated sludge (8–12 g/m 3 ) than is allowed for secondary settling tanks.…”

Removal of Pharmaceuticals from Water by Adsorption and Advanced Oxidation Processes: State of the Art and Trends

“…It has been shown that pharmaceuticals can be removed only partially, as these wastewater treatment plants are not designed for full removal [1]. Depending on the composition of wastewaters, preliminary treatments with activated sludge systems or classic membrane bioreactors may be needed [45]. However, membrane fouling comprises a significant obstacle to their broad application [46].…”

Multi-Integrated Systems for Treatment of Abattoir Wastewater: A Review

“…Since the DEGBR operates anaerobically, it has two significant drawbacks, (i) it is ineffective in removing nitrates and phosphorous, and (ii) it reduces the organic nitrogen and sulphur to ammonia and hydrogen sulphide, which are toxic, hence the need for incorporating a membrane bioreactor stage as post-treatment. The advantages of MBR compared with a conventional activated sludge process include high effluent quality, decreased reactor volume, elevated solid retention time (SRT) and high mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS), low sludge yield, and easier operation [58,59]. However there are still some drawbacks associated with MBRs such as; membrane fouling, high energy consumption and low removal efficiency of poorly biodegradable micropollutants like diclofenac, atrazine, and carbamazepine [58].…”

“…A comparison study was done by Skoczko, Puzowski [59] to compare the modernized vs conventional treatment methods on a newly modernized wastewater treatment plant. On the basis of the conducted research, it was noted that the operation of the plant after modernization was more cost-intensive.…”