MABR in Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade
In-situ Upgrade
For an in-situ upgrade utilizing MABR, the MABR module is installed within the biochemical tank, creating an integrated sludge-MABR hybrid process. This integration offers significant benefits, such as improved biomass retention, reduced sludge production, enhanced oxygen utilization rate, and increased biological treatment capacity. The MABR module dimensions and quantity are customized based on the tank specifications, treatment objectives, and wastewater characteristics. This tailored approach ensures optimal performance and efficient utilization of the MABR technology within the existing treatment infrastructure. This in-situ upgrade allows for a seamless integration of MABR, maximizing the treatment efficiency, and achieving the desired treatment goals while eliminating the need for extensive modifications or reconstruction.
Ex-situ Upgrade
For wastewater treatment plants that do not have suitable conditions for in-situ treatment, ex-situ treatment utilizing MABR modules can provide an effective alternative. These modules can be deployed downstream of the plant's discharge point for tailwater treatment, improving water quality before it reaches the natural water body. This approach ensures that even plants lacking the necessary conditions for in-situ treatment can still employ effective and targeted measures to address pollution concerns. By utilizing the MABR technology in an ex-situ treatment setup, wastewater treatment plants can achieve regulatory compliance, environment protection, upgrade objective, and reach the desired treatment objective.
In-situ upgrade process
Advantages of Upgrading with MABR
By installing the MABR module into the existing wastewater infrastructure, the processing capacity of the primary biological reactor can generally increase by 20-30%.
The MABR technology presents several advantages:
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The MABR system has a high oxygen utilization rate and does not require any additional power supply; therefore, the change in the net energy consumption equals zero.
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No additional structures are required except for the MABR module and supporting pipes.
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Given that the membranes are not damaged, no special maintenance is required for the MABR due to the high tensile strength and the overall robustness of the hollow fiber membranes.
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Membrane modules are installed into existing pools and do not require additional land use or halting of the current operations.
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The MABR process improves the carbon utilization rate, therefore, reducing the cost of carbon supplementation.
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MABRs drastically reduce the system’s sludge production, lowering sludge handling and disposal costs. Decreasing excess sludge production reduces the overall operating cost associated with sludge handling, such as sludge press filtration.
Following the MABR upgrade, the operating costs incurred by the additional removal of COD, BOD, ammonium nitrogen, and total nitrogen, are effectively zero. Costs associated with total phosphorus removal will be based on the number of chemical treatment agents used.
Factors unfit for MABR upgrade
Reactors downstream of the primary biological treatment tanks such as sedimentation tanks, filtration tanks, and disinfection tanks generally do not possess sufficient upgrade room. It would require reconstruction.
Underground sewage treatment plants or closed sewage treatment plants are highly challenging to construct and have high initial investment costs.