2. Membrane Bio Reactor (MBR) is a
combination of biological activated sludge
treatment processes and physical
filtration using Ultra-Filtration Membranes
Ultra-Filtration membranes are similar to
Reverse Osomosis Membranes with bigger
pores
MBR produces high quality water with low
BOD and Suspended Solids suitable for re-
use
Treated water from MBR is crystal clear
10. Cost of Submerged Membranes is more than
double that of side stream membranes
Due to lower flux, more submerged
membranes are required than side stream
membranes for the same volume
Bigger aeration tanks are required for
submerged MBR
Bigger air blowers are required for
submerged MBR
Complex automation is required for
submerged MBR
11. In submerged MBR, membranes are
directly immersed into bioreactor with
highly concentrated mixed liquor
suspended solids.
MLSS contains high levels of dispersed,
small particles comprising of inert and
colloidal material.
High membrane fouling environment,
which results in low membrane flux rates,
results in large membrane surface area.
12. MBR
HIGH MEMBRANE FOULING
ENVIRONMENT
HIGH ENERGY
CONSUMPTIONINTENSIVE
PRESCREENING
& DISPOSAL
LARGE
EQUALIZATION
BASIN
HIGH
MEMBRANE
AREA
SUBSTANTIAL
OPERATOR
TRAINING
13. MBR HAS LOW FLUX – i.e, More Membrane surface
area is required for submerged MBR as compared to
Side stream MBR
MBR REQUIRES 1 mm FINE SCREENING-
Fine screening removes substantial amount of
untreated waste that must be disposed off by other
means. Fine screening requires additional equipment
like cutters etc that consume power.
MBR REQUIRES HIGH MEMBRANE AIR SCOUR
RATES – higher air requirement results in higher
power consumption
14. SIDE STREAM MBRSIDE STREAM MBR
ADVANTAGESADVANTAGES
Biological process (MBBR) and Membrane Filtration are
two separate process units – Enabling maximum total system
performance.
Each process unit MBBR & UF are optimized and controlled
independently
97% less Suspended Solids in UF membrane feed reduces
fouling drastically
THIS DIRECTLY INCREASES THE MEMBRANE FLUX
Even existing biological plants can be upgraded with
external UF plant
Simple Micro-controller automation is sufficient for UF
15. SIDE STREAM MBR ……SIDE STREAM MBR ……
CAN TOLERATE MODERATE PEAK FLOW RATES.
WILL REQUIRE SMALLER EQUALIZATION TANK.
NO FINE SCREENING REQUIREMENT.
NO SLUDGE RECIRCULTION- ENERGY SAVING.
NO AIR SCOURING REQUIRED- ENERGY SAVING.
SINCE MLSS IS LOW IN MBBR, OXYGEN TRANSFER
EFFICIENCY IS HIGH REDUCING AIR REQUIRED
FLUX RATES CAN BE MUCH HIGHER, SAVES COST
OF MEMBRANES.
SINCE MLSS IS VERY LOW, MEMBRANE FOULING
MINIMUM.
16. ENERGY CONSUMPTION COMPARISIONENERGY CONSUMPTION COMPARISION
Submerged MBR Vs Side Stream MBRSubmerged MBR Vs Side Stream MBR
Submerged MBR Side stream MBR
MEMBRANE AIR
BLOWER
38% NOT REQUIRED
RECIRCULTION
PUMPS
18% NOT REQUIRED
PROCESS AIR
BLOWERS
35% 17%
MISCLLANEOUS 9% 9%
TOTAL 100% 26%
17. Submerged
MBR
Side stream MBR
MLSS MEMBRANE FOULING HIGH LOW
MEMBRANE FLUX LOW MODERATE
MEMBRANE REQUIREMENT HIGH MODERATE
MEMBRANE COST HIGH MODERATE
RECIRCULATION ENERGY HIGH NIL
AIR SCOUR ENERGY HIGH NIL
OXYGEN TRANSFER EFF. LOW HIGH
SCREENING REQUIREMENTS HIGH LOW
PEAK F:OW TOLERANCE LOW MODERATE
FOOT PRINT MODERATE MODERATE
20. 50% Capital cost savings over submerged MBR
Smaller tanks – reduced foot print & lesser
cost
Pre-fabricated plants up to 100 KLD
Existing Biological STP can be retro-fitted
Complete automation with micro-controller
for STP & UF
Remote monitoring and control with GSM
network
Operate & control STP & UF over internet
Full time operator NOT required
