Whitepaper
Compact AnMBR system for the Wisconsinbased dairy processor
Berghof Membranes, with its extensive experience in treating industrial effluent using PVDF tubular membranes, developed a compact AnMBR system for the Wisconsinbased dairy processor.
LEACHATE
Decades of experience.
Treatment of leachate from landfills
The landfill leachate is the highly contaminated aqueous effluent that is generated as a consequence of (1) rainwater percolation through wastes, (2) the liquid fraction contained in the waste itself, and (3) the liquid generated during the biological processes occurring naturally in the waste matter.
Landfill leachate characteristics and composition differ significantly from site to site and along the time, according to several factors, such as the landfill type, the climate and geographical situation, and the landfill age. It contains a complex mixture of organic substances (biodegradable and refractory), ammonia-nitrogen, heavy metals and chlorinated organic and inorganic salts.
The discharge limits vary significantly from one landfill site to another. Apart from the more or less stringent legislation in the different countries, the most significant changes are related to the receiving water body:
- Indirect discharge: the treated effluent is sent to the sewer, to be treated in a municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), after being mixed with wastewater from a different origin (mainly domestic sewage). As a general rule, the discharge limits are more permissible. However, even in this case the stricter requirements for COD and ammonia are nowadays demanding the implementation of advanced treatment technologies.
- Direct discharge: the treated effluent is poured directly into a natural water body. Quality requirements can also vary depending on where the discharge is done (coastal areas vs. river, lakes, etc.). Direct discharge implies complying with the most demanding limits and nowadays the implementation of advanced treatment is almost compulsory.
Challenges for leachate treatment
Management of MSW – and leachate as a result – constitutes a major environmental, economic and social problem worldwide. Since the waste volume is growing fast globally, reuse and recycling policies applied more and more each day. Moreover, stringent environmental regulations with more demanding discharge limits are being imposed.
The great challenge of landfill leachates lies in their varying composition, high concentration of contaminants and their toxicity. Landfill leachate can be compared to the most complex industrial wastewaters, with a significant amount of recalcitrant organic matter that hampers the implementation of conventional biological treatments. The high concentration of ammonia and salts can also be challenging issues in these cases.
Varying composition
High concentration of contaminants
Toxicity
Landfill leachate can be compared to the most complex industrial wastewaters, with a significant amount of recalcitrant organic matter that hampers the implementation of conventional biological treatments. The high concentration of ammonia and salts can also be challenging issues in these cases.
Tubular UF solutions for leachate
The high variability of leachate’s volume and composition, not only from site to site but also during the landfill lifetime, also constitutes an important challenge. The composition of the leachate can change from month to month, seasonally, and of course, during the life of the site. As a result, robust, flexible, and adaptable processes and technologies are increasingly sought. The fact that the implemented technology is easily upgradable during the landfill’s lifetime is also a common requirement by the operators.
Membrane filtration technologies are being increasingly applied for landfill leachate treatment, as long as they allow addressing the most challenging requirements in terms of effluent quality and process reliability. With more than 400 references worldwide, Berghof tubular UF is known to be an optimum technology for the most robust and efficient leachate management.
Berghof membranes can be installed in several process configurations, depending on the type of contaminants and the discharge requirements. The MBR process is the most widely applied, both as a standalone process or followed by a post-treatment for recalcitrant COD and salts removal (NF, reverse osmosis, etc.). In small installations and when the leachate presents very low biodegradability (e.g. inert waste landfills) direct UF is often the choice, typically followed by an RO step for removing the low molecular weight compounds and salinity.
Applications of tubular UF membrane technology in landfill leachate
MBR | Leachate Treatment
Direct UF | Leachate treatment
Please choose the application that applies to you.
Is your application not listed? Then please contact us.
Manufactured in Germany
Made in a state-of-the art LEAN-production facility, with highly-trained production personnel and materials of the highest quality.
With 50 years of experience and more than 2.000 projects worldwide, Berghof Membranes is the leading manufacturer of high quality tubular ultrafiltration membranes.
Tubular UF Membrane Modules
To prevent fouling and clogging, Berghof Membranes developed its line of robust tubular UF (ultrafiltration) membrane modules based on inside-out crossflow filtration.
Membrane Skid systems
Berghof Membranes developed B-SMART®, a customizable external membrane filtration system that can be designed with various features and functionalities.
Pilot systems & Lab testing
Bridging the gap between lab-scale testing and manufacturing. Our team of experts gives you the confidence to apply the technology for your specific wastewater challenges.
B-CARE® Service and Support
The B-CARE® program is an end-to-end comprehensive program developed to support our OEM partners from the piloting/engineering phase to operational system monitoring.
Case Studies
Our projects
50 years of experience and more than 2.000 project references across the globe.
AnMBR | Dairy Industry
A dairy processor in Richland County, Wisconsin needed to find an efficient process to generate electricity and heat from their wastewater and to further treat anaerobic industrial wastewater.
MBR | Food & Beverages
In order to meet the increasing demand, Holland Malt has decided to double its
malting capacity. For this the company needed high-quality permeate to reuse for production.
Direct UF | Titanium Recovery
Our OEM-Partner needed to design a robust and adaptable UF system that could keep up with the high-solid streams and conditions of this demanding process while minimizing OPEX and fouling.
Think outside the box
When it comes to membrane filtration, think outside the box and contact Berghof Membranes today.
More than just a membrane supplier
Contact Berghof Membranes
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International Sales Office:
Agora 4, 8934 CJ Leeuwarden,
The Netherlands