Aqua Clear’s Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) wastewater treatment system is a combination of biological treatment and membrane filtration. The MBR system has a much smaller footprint than conventional activated sludge suspended growth process which typically includes secondary clarification followed by tertiary media filtration. The effluent produced by the MBR process is of exceptional water quality that can be reused onsite for nonpotable applications. The MBR process removes BOD, COD, TOC, TSS and total nitrogen from the effluent.
Aqua Clear MBR systems are ideal for treating the wastewater from food processing, meat processing/rendering, brewing, creamery/dairy, and chemical plants. Having a smaller footprint than conventional wastewater treatment systems, MBR systems can be used to retrofit or expand your existing treatment operations.
By combining MBR with downstream technologies such as reverse osmosis to remove dissolved solids (TSS) and UV disinfection to remove pathogens (bacteria), the treated wastewater can be reused for onsite utility applications including washdown, irrigation, boilers, chillers and cooling towers. The end result is both savings in sewer surcharges and a reduction in makeup water.
The MBR system includes an activated sludge process; however, low-pressure microfiltration (MF) membranes replace the need for a clarifier and media filter. The MBR membrane modules are submerged directly within the bioreactor. The MBR process operates at a higher mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) than conventional activated sludge systems, thereby reducing the reactor tank size. The membranes retain the majority of the biomass for recirculation inside the bioreactor.
Aqua Clear’s MBR systems can be either mounted in portable shipping containers or installed within the existing footprint of the facility.
Aqua Clear MBR systems are custom designed for each application. A typical system may include:
- Rotary Drum Screen
- Equalization Tank
- Anoxic Tank (Denitrification)
- Aeration & MBR Bioreactor Tank
The removal of nitrogen is affected through the biological oxidation of nitrogen from ammonia to nitrate (nitrification), followed by denitrification, the reduction of nitrate to nitrogen gas. Nitrogen gas is released to the atmosphere and thus removed from the water.
