Large MBR Procurement – How To Do It Right?

Abstract

Membrane bioreactors (MBRs) are a wastewater treatment technology that provides high treatment efficiency and a reduced footprint compared to conventional treatment process trains. Due to the exceptional quality and consistency of the produced effluent, MBRs may be particularly applicable at the plants where water recycling is required or desired. This paper will describe membrane selection steps and procedures, explain the operation and maintenance issues being evaluated, and list the most important parameters considered in the membrane evaluation. This paper will provide differentiating factors for the flat plate membrane and the hollow fiber membranes that played a key role in the decision for membrane selection, based on the experience from the Santa Paula WRF design. The paper will also describe how the site-specific factors might help decision makers narrow down the list of MBRs that would be the most appropriate for a given application.The paper will also discuss key considerations in the procurement process.