MBR
(Membrane Bioreactor)

MBR Technology: Advanced Wastewater Treatment Solutions

At Berghof Membranes, we specialize in MBR technology (Membrane Bioreactor Technology) designed for industrial and municipal wastewater treatment. Our cutting-edge MBR wastewater filters efficiently remove organic pollutants and nutrient loads, ensuring superior effluent quality and regulatory compliance. By using advanced MBR membranes, we help industries achieve sustainable wastewater management and water reuse goals.

0

Years of Experiences

Minimizing Environmental Impact with MBR Solutions

In an effort to minimize the short and long-term environmental impact, industries across the globe are facing increasing challenges and costs related to wastewater management. As a result, most of the industrial facilities have built their own wastewater treatment plants, thus achieving regulatory compliance, avoiding the fees for sewer discharge, and reducing their water footprint by means of water reuse.

The MBR technology  is essentially a high-efficient evolution of the conventional activated sludge process, where the clarifiers are replaced by the tubular UF modules. In this way, significant improvements are achieved: superior effluent quality, higher biodegradation rates, smaller footprint, less sludge production and reuse possibilities. All these features are essential for coping with the stringent discharge quality requirements and the economic benefits of water reuse faced by almost all the industrial sectors.

MBR systems remove up to 99% of COD, compared to 90-95% in conventional activated sludge processes. The operation with higher MLSS concentration – even up to 30 g/L – results in minimum footprint requirements and decreased production of excess sludge. The filtrate produced by the membranes is free of solids (TSS < 1 mg/L) and turbidity (< 1 NTU), and presents SDI values lower than 3, optimum for further RO treatment if required.

These advancements in MBR technology make it a preferred choice for industrial wastewater treatment, offering both environmental and economic benefits.

External Crossflow Filtration Technology​

Berghof Membranes specializes in external MBRs that are positioned outside the bioreactor and utilize crossflow velocity to keep the membranes working at optimal conditions. Our MBR membranes offers several benefits:

Less membrane fouling
Long membrane lifespan
Ease of maintenance
Flexible and adaptable
Stable long-term performance
Reliable performance with complex wastewater
Compactness and modularity
Closed system. No odor, VOCs

External crossflow filtration vs. Submerged membrane filtration

Unlike the outside-in submerged membranes, our inside-out external tubular modules provide higher fluxes with less frequent cleanings and reduced maintenance operations. The cross-flow operation allows operating with higher MLSS and dealing with complex wastewaters, containing FOG, hardness or high levels of recalcitrant matter. The external filtration systems are quickly assembled and do not require complex civil works. The modules are easily accessible for inspection and maintenance, reducing system downtimes to a minimum. Finally, the enclosed filtration system is clean and operator-friendly, with neither odor nor exposure to the wastewater.

Comparison of Inside-Out vs. Outside-In Filtration for MBR Systems

Upgrading Existing Wastewater Treatment Facilities

Many industrial facilities need to upgrade their wastewater treatment plants due to stringent regulations, cost-efficient water reuse, and increased production causing hydraulic bottlenecks. Converting existing CASP or SBR processes into MBRs offers significant technical and economic benefits.

Under any of these circumstances, the conversion of the existing CASP or SBR processes into  MBRs turns out as the most favourable solution, providing significant benefits at both technical and economical sides. By coupling the external tubular UF system to the existing biological reactor the wastewater treatment plant will provide a much better quality treated water, and the capacity of the plant shall be increased up to three times if required. The external MBR system has undoubted advantages for retrofit and conversion:

Plug & Play
The conversion is fast and simple and requires minimal civil work.
The external UF skids are plug&play systems that require minimum civil works. As soon as the skids are connected hydraulically to the existing bioreactor, the system is commissioned and full-running in just a few days.
CAPEX
There is not a need for an additional tank, as is the case with the submerged membranes.
As is the case with the submerged membranes. UF skids are modular and their location and distribution can be adapted to the available space. The reduced height allows installing the UF system inside a conventional room.
Savings on footprint
Decommissioning of the existing clarifiers and DAF pretreatment saves space.
Despite the fact that the plant is upgraded, space savings can be achieved: the decommissioning of the existing clarifiers or the DAF pretreatment provides more than the space required for the membrane filtration system.
Existing biological reactor
When upgrading is required existing biological reactor can be used.
When upgrading is required for dealing with increased wastewater flow and/or organic load, the membranes allow increasing the MLSS from the standard 3-4 g/L up to 12-15 g/L. The only change is the upgrading of the aeration system.

Presentation

Advanced MBR wastewater treatment for the food and beverage industry

Showcase MBR Technology
Holland Malt, a leading maltery in Eemshaven, The Netherlands, sought to expand its wastewater treatment capacity. This presentation will showcase how MBR (Membrane Bioreactor) technology was implemented to enhance their treatment system, ensuring superior effluent quality and increased capacity to support their operations effectively.
Holland Malt, a maltery in The Netherlands wanted to extend the existing wastewater treatment capacity in Eemshaven.
DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION

Project References​

Take a look at our case studies

Water softening | New Material Industry

Project Details

Application: Water softening
Capacity: 200 m3/d
Membrane: 8mm PVDF, CR
Location: Huguan County (China)
Read more

AnMBR & MBR | Dairy Industry

Project Details

Product: AnMBR and MBR in parallel
Membrane: 8mm, PVDF, backwashable
Capacity: 1,900 m3/day
COD load: 9,000 to 18,000 kg/day
Location: Wisconsin
Read more

AnMBR | Creamery

Project Details

Product: AnMBR
Membrane: 8mm, PVDF, backwashable
Capacity: 155 m3/day
BOD load: 1,587 kg/day
Location: Menomonie, Wisconsin
Read more

Manufactured in Germany

Made in a state-of-the art LEAN-production facility, with highly-trained production personnel and materials of the highest quality.

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 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.