Upgrading Conventional Systems for Waste

Water ReuseAquatech India, April 2013

CONTENT

• Conventional systems vs. Membrane

systems

• Need for Membrane based systems

• Upgrading Conventional systems

• Summary

MEMBRANES vs. CONVENTIONAL TECHNOLOGY

Conventional TreatmentMembrane Treatment

Membrane Treatment Conventional Treatment

Modern and continuously improving Technology Developed in the 1800’s

Extremely compact Footprint Large land requirement

Physical barrier = reliable filtration Separation Process Gravity driven with coarse

filtration

Fully automated with minimal chemical use Operation Labor and chemical

intensive

MEMBRANES vs. CONVENTIONAL TECHNOLOGY

Conventional AS Process

ActivatedSludge

SecondaryClarifier

SandFilter

PrimaryClarifier

SludgeDigestion To Sludge

Dewatering

ActivatedSludge

To Sludge Dewatering

ZeeWeed MBR Process

MEMBRANES vs. CONVENTIONAL TECHNOLOGY

ADVANTAGES OF MEMBRANE BASED WASTEWATER SYSTEMS

• Removes majority of pathogenic

organisms

• Smaller footprint/layout

• Consistently high product water

quality: Not affected by the influent

feed quality

• Provides product water quality for

unlimited reuse/recycling

• Modular expandability (minimal

additional cost for future expansion)

• Operational simplicity with potential

for remote monitoring

• Lower post-disinfection demand in

chlorine and UV

ADVANTAGES OF MEMBRANE BASED WASTEWATER SYSTEMS

Membrane Cassette

Membrane Fiber

Ideal technology for existing

systems upgrade

RETROFITTING MBR SYSTEMS IN EXISTING PLANTS

• Use of existing tanks for biological process volume & installation of membranes in existing tanks

• Use of existing tanks for biological process volume & installation of membranes into new membrane tanks

• A combination of existing and new tanks for use as biological and membrane process volume

MBR retrofit into an

existing

conventional WWTP

can be realized in

several ways

RETROFITTING MBR SYSTEMS IN EXISTING PLANTS

WHY IS MBR RETROFIT BENEFICIAL?

• MBR operates at MLSS of ~10,000 compared to CAS MLSS of ~3000, thus enhancing biological treatment capacity by > 3X

• Membrane filtration post biological treatment provides superior quality effluent

• Increases usability of the effluent in reuse

• Increases saleability of the effluent, especially for municipal operators

• Provides expandability for the future

WHY IS MBR RETROFIT BENEFICIAL?

Parameter

Value Unit Comments

BOD < 5 mg/LTypically non-detectable

TSS < 1 mg/LTypically non-detectable

NH3-N < 0.5 mg/LAs a function of biological process design

TP < 0.5 mg/L< 0.03 mg/L achievable

TN < 3 mg/LAs a function of biological process design

Turbidity < 0.5 NTU

< 0.2 NTU 95% of the time achievable

CASE STUDY: DISTRICT COUNCIL OF ROTORUA, NZ

CHALLENGE:

• Need to comply with stricter environmental requirements for discharge

SOLUTION:

• GE supplied an MBR filtration system featuring its ZeeWeed* 500D ultrafiltration membranes

• Project utilized an existing clarifier, installing UF membranes in the center

• MBR retrofit enhanced the plant’s capacity to handle its growing wastewater treatment needs and meet the tighter discharge regulations without building additional, costly civil structures

SUMMARY:

• Advancement of Membrane Bioreactor technology over the past 30 years has resulted in significant reductions in capital and operating costs

• MBR Design to retrofit existing, conventional plants has increasingly become an attractive option

• Utilize existing assets to expand plant capacity

• Greatly improve effluent quality

• Minimize new construction

• Combination of biological nutrient removal coupled with a membrane separation system maximizes the benefits of two advanced technologies

CASE STUDY: DISTRICT COUNCIL OF ROTORUA, NZ

GE’S MBR: LEADING WASTERWATER REUSE IN INDIA

“In India – for India” Team

Best in class Reuse

Quality

Range & Flexibility

Tough

Segments Served

Municipal

Refinery

Food and Beverage

Power

Automotive

Institutional

Metals and Mining

/GEIndia/GEIndia/GEIndia

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