Technical features

Pathogen removal by microfiltration MBRs

MBRs remove pathogens primarily through size exclusion by the membrane and dynamic fouling layer, entrainment within the activated sludge flocs, and subsequent wasting and biological degradation in the activated sludge, complicating LRV determination.

Co-processing of sewage digestate by hydrothermal carbonisation

Hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC) can be used to co-process anaerobic digestion (AD) digestate and lignocellulosic (or plant-based) feedstocks to improve the the hydrochar product quality. This AD waste co-processing route has been studied at bench scale.

Immersed flat sheet MBR membranes: a summary of commercial products

What commercially-available immersed flat sheet MBR membrane products are on the market for wastewater treatment? What are their structures, membrane material & pore sizes, and air scour rates, panel & module sizes including packing density and footprint?

Water reuse – where have we got to?

Water reuse refers to the reclamation, purification and reuse/recycling of wastewater from municipal or industrial processes. There are three types of water reuse applications: non-potable reuse, indirect potable reuse, and direct potable reuse.

Anaerobic digestion optimization through thermal hydrolysis pre-treatment

Down by the river: the MBR at Woolston WwTW

The 37 MLD MBR at Woolston, UK, is an example of an imaginative plant design for an intensive process technology being implemented within a very small footprint. We were shown round the site to look at all the various inter-connected elements first-hand.

Non-sewered sanitation with the NEWgenerator - a solar powered anaerobic MBR

An off-grid wastewater treatment system for use in informal settlements was tested over an 18-month period. The NEWGenerator is based on an anaerobic sidestream MBR with downstream processes, all powered by photovoltaic cells mounted on the roof.

The ZeeLung MABR technology: the story so far

The membrane-aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) − like the ZeeLung MABR − is a fixed film process where the biofilm is fed with oxygen via the membrane on which the biofilm sits. It is a version of a fixed film process rather than a suspended growth one.

The MBR Site report: Singapore International Water Week, 2021

Simon Judd presents a summary of the MBR and MABR platform and poster presentations from the Singapore International Water Week (SIWW21), held online between 21 June and 2 July 2021.

Systems integration: Putting it all together

The design of a centralised unit to control the complete multi-step process in a WWTP is the job of the systems integrator. The SI is responsible for linking the individual control systems, as well as the commissioning and start-up of the installed plant.

Membrane technology in controlling micropollutants and pathogens

The challenge posed by micropollutants and pathogens is of huge interest. Our online discussion event, attended by 30 people from across the world and hosted by Graeme Pearce and Simon Judd, in April 2021 assessed the current status. Read our full report.