Why MBR Technology is Used in Wastewater Treatment

MBR technology (Membrane Bioreactor) is a new wastewater treatment equipment that combines the advantages of the UF (Ultrafiltration) system with a biological reactor. The activated sludge and microorganisms within it absorb and remove organic pollutants in the wastewater, leaving behind clean water. The UF membrane functions to separate water and sludge and can replace the secondary sedimentation tank. Meanwhile, the membrane keeps active microorganisms in the sludge within the bioreactor for an extended period, resulting in a high biological concentration, which means high efficiency in the oxidation of organic matter by microorganisms.

Benefits of Using MBR Technology in the Treatment Process

High-Quality Water Output:

No additional solid-liquid separation equipment is needed because the membrane has already removed the suspended solids (SS). The resulting water can be reused without further treatment.

Small Footprint:

The high biological concentration in the reactor improves the volume efficiency, and the high efficiency of the membrane reduces the water retention time and the footprint. Additionally, since MBR does not require a specialized pond or workshop. It represents about 60% of the volume of a traditional solution.

Relatively Low Operating Cost:

MBR reduces the operating time and energy consumption of the aeration device, saving a significant amount of money. By using the membrane to remove germs, additional chemical disinfection and other chemicals are not needed, reducing operating costs.

Applications Where MBR Technology Can Be Used

• Development and upgrading of existing wastewater treatment plants.
• Domestic wastewater treatment for urban and rural areas.
• Wastewater treatment for large applications and livestock farming.
• Industrial wastewater treatment for the paper and pulp industry, pharmaceutical industry, printing, dyeing, chemical fibers, food and beverage industry, electroplating, etc.

Key Features

The membrane bioreactor unit can efficiently perform the separation of liquid from suspended solids, producing high-quality wastewater with near-zero turbidity and suspended solids, making it suitable for direct use, thus achieving the goal of wastewater recycling.

Membrane Bioreactors (MBR) have a very high exclusion rate, meaning they theoretically retain all microorganisms within the reactor. They achieve completely independent Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT) and Sludge Retention Time (SRT), allowing the system to be easily and flexibly controlled.

Membrane Bioreactors (MBR) provide high efficiency in the removal of nitrogen and phosphorus.

Thanks to the use of the membrane reactor unit, the wastewater treatment plant can eliminate the need for a sedimentation tank, significantly saving on space and investment costs.

Can MBR Technology Be Used for Greywater Treatment?

Using MBR technology for greywater treatment offers many advantages and long-term benefits. Greywater refers to all wastewater generated in homes or office buildings from sources other than toilets. By definition, greywater generally includes wastewater from showers, sinks, washing machines, and laundry, without fecal contamination. Greywater treatment is easier compared to municipal wastewater treatment, which generates considerable interest in its reuse and recycling. Typical applications for greywater recycling and reuse include toilet flushing, irrigation, and other non-potable uses.

You can find more information detailing the benefits of using MBR technology for greywater treatment in this article. If the article does not answer all your questions, please do not hesitate to contact us, and our Carewater engineers will assist you with your inquiry.