Water Treatment Facility

Membrane Bioreactors (MBR)

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Countries Served
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Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) for Wastewater Treatment

We can provide flat membranes, hollow fiber membranes and sewage treatment components, including sewage treatment solution design and subsequent maintenance guidance

Flat Sheet MBR System

Flat Sheet MBR

Flat sheet (FS) membranes have planar configuration and are predominantly rectangular. They are designed to be immersed in the membrane tank, and scoured with air to maintain the flow of sludge through the membrane channels

High Efficiency
Rectangular Design
Hollow Fiber MBR System

Hollow Fiber MBR

PVDF hollow fiber MBR is made of modified PVDF material, with high flux, good chemical resistance and pollution resistance. The polyester interlayer support net greatly increases the mechanical strength of the membrane silk.

PVDF Material
High Flux
Chemical Resistant

Our Comprehensive Services

Solution Design

Custom wastewater treatment solutions tailored to your specific needs

Installation Support

Professional installation and commissioning services

Maintenance Guidance

Ongoing maintenance support and technical guidance

MBR Technology Comparison

Comprehensive comparison between Hollow Fiber and Flat Sheet Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) technologies for wastewater treatment applications

Key Differences Overview

Hollow fiber configurations are designed for higher fluxes, operated at lower concentrations, cleaned more often and protected by stricter pre-treatment compared to flat sheet systems. The filterability of activated sludge from municipal MBRs is superior to industrial MBRs and remains independent of membrane configuration.

Comparison Factor Flat Sheet MBR Hollow Fiber MBR
Usage Rate
Around 15%
Around 85%
Material
PVDF
PVDF
Flux Range 10L/m²/h ~ 40L/m²/h 10L/m²/h ~ 40L/m²/h
Pre-processing Requirements
No Special Requirements
Hair Removal Required
Packing Density
Toray TMR140-100s
140m² needs 2.756 m³
Dow FLEXELL
80m² needs 0.7056 m³
2x Higher Density
Pollution Recovery Method
Air Scrubbing
Chemical Cleaning
Backwash
Air Scrub
Enhanced Backwash
Chemical Cleaning
Operational Risk
Membrane Rupture Risk
"Fat belly" phenomenon
Fiber Breakage Risk
Minimized with TIP process
Self-healing
No Self-healing
Self-healing Function
Component Structure
Large Modular
Requires lifting equipment
Single Element
Easy single-person maintenance
Energy Consumption
Air-water ratio 30:1
High gas consumption
Gas-water ratio 3:1~5:1
Low energy consumption
Chemical Wash
Manual + Chemical
Labor intensive
Chemical Immersion
Automated, single operator

Material Advantage

PVDF's superior oxidation resistance compared to other materials (such as PE) makes it the mainstream material for MBR membranes in sewage treatment and reuse applications.

Backwash Advantage

Backwashing is the most ideal pollution recovery method for the membrane industry. The inability to backwash is the biggest defect of flat membranes, leading to shortened chemical cleaning cycles.

Membrane Bioreactors (MBRs)

Advantages And Applications

Membrane Bioreactors (MBRs) can be broadly defined as a system that combines wastewater biodegradation with membrane filtration. They have proven to be very effective in removing organic and inorganic pollutants as well as biological entities from wastewater.

Technology Overview

There are many types of MBR such as tubular, plate and hollow fiber. Among them, hollow fiber PVDF material has been proven to be the most reasonable in price and good in performance. The membranes used had pore sizes ranging from 0.01 to 0.4 µm.

Tubular
Plate
Hollow Fiber

Advantages of MBR Technology

Automated Control

Good control of biological activity with automatic STP system operation and reduced labor costs

High Quality Effluent

Produces effluent free of bacteria and pathogens with superior water quality

Compact Design

Smaller plant size with lower space requirements due to higher MLSS and short HRT

Higher Loading Rates

Capable of handling higher organic loading rates efficiently

Applications of MBR Technology

Currently, MBR is widely applied to all types of wastewater, including water recycling in buildings, wastewater treatment for small communities, industrial wastewater treatment, landfill leachate treatment, and agricultural wastewater processing.

Municipal Wastewater Treatment

Municipal Wastewater Treatment

MBR systems were initially used for municipal wastewater treatment, primarily in the area of water reuse and recycling. Compactness, production of reusable water, and trouble-free operation made the MBR an ideal process for recycling municipal wastewater in water and space limited environments.

Water Recycling
Space Efficient

Industrial Wastewater Treatment

High organic loadings and very specific and difficult to treat compounds are two major characteristics of industrial waste streams that render alternative treatment techniques such as the MBR desirable. Since traditionally wastewater with high COD content was treated under anaerobic conditions, initial attempts of MBR applications for industrial wastewater were in the field of anaerobic treatment.

Also effective removal of nitrates, herbicides, pesticides, and endocrine disrupting compounds may be achieved by MBRs.

High COD Treatment
Pesticide Removal
Industrial Wastewater Treatment
Specialized Applications

Specialized Applications

In addition to municipal and industrial wastewater treatment, MBRs have been utilized in a number of other areas. One such area is the treatment of landfill leachates. Landfill leachates usually contain high concentrations of organic and inorganic compounds.

MBR systems have been successfully utilized with an additional treatment step for inorganics and heavy metal removal, such as Ultra Filtration and reverse osmosis (RO). Several industrial scale plants, combining a MBR, Ultra filtration and a reverse osmosis system, are presently operated.

MBR Membrane
Ultra Filtration
Reverse Osmosis

MBR Sewage Treatment Integrated Equipment

Advanced membrane bioreactor technology for efficient wastewater treatment with compact design and superior performance

Featured Project

100T per day MBR Sewage Treatment Integrated Equipment

Our state-of-the-art MBR integrated equipment combines biological treatment with membrane filtration technology, delivering exceptional water quality while maintaining compact footprint and energy efficiency.

Daily Capacity
100T
Per Day
Efficiency
99%
Removal Rate
Compact Design
Energy Efficient
Low Maintenance
High Quality Output
MBR Sewage Treatment Equipment Overview
MBR Equipment Control Panel
MBR Membrane Module Detail

Key Features & Specifications

Advanced MBR Technology

Combines biological treatment with membrane filtration for superior effluent quality

Automated Control

Intelligent PLC control system with remote monitoring capabilities

Eco-Friendly

Low energy consumption with minimal environmental impact

FAQ

Get answers to the most frequently asked questions about membrane bioreactor technology for wastewater treatment systems.

What is a Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) and how does it work?

A Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) is an advanced wastewater treatment technology that combines biological treatment with membrane filtration. It uses microorganisms to break down organic pollutants while ultrafiltration or microfiltration membranes physically separate treated water from biomass, producing high-quality effluent suitable for reuse or discharge.

What are the main advantages of MBR systems over conventional treatment?

MBR systems offer superior effluent quality, smaller footprint requirements, higher biomass concentration, excellent pathogen removal, consistent performance regardless of influent variations, and the ability to operate at higher organic loading rates. They also eliminate the need for secondary clarifiers and produce less excess sludge.

What types of wastewater can be treated with MBR technology?

MBR systems can effectively treat municipal wastewater, industrial effluents from food processing, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and petrochemicals, hospital wastewater, landfill leachate, and greywater from residential or commercial buildings. The technology is particularly effective for high-strength organic wastewater.

How do you prevent and manage membrane fouling in MBR systems?

Membrane fouling is managed through regular backwashing, air scouring, chemical cleaning with chlorine or citric acid, maintaining optimal mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) concentration, proper pre-treatment of influent, and implementing automated cleaning cycles. Proper system design and operation are crucial for minimizing fouling.

What is the typical lifespan of MBR membranes?

MBR membranes typically last 3-7 years depending on the application, influent characteristics, operating conditions, and maintenance practices. Proper cleaning protocols, optimal operating flux rates, and regular monitoring can significantly extend membrane life. Industrial applications may require more frequent replacement than municipal systems.

What are the energy requirements and operating costs of MBR systems?

MBR systems typically consume 0.4-1.2 kWh/m³ of treated water, with energy costs representing 25-50% of total operating expenses. Main energy consumers include membrane aeration, permeate pumps, and biological aeration. Energy efficiency can be improved through optimized aeration control and membrane operation strategies.

Are you a manufacturer?

Yes, our factory has been engaged in production for more than 15 years.

Can I visit your company and factory?

Of course, you are very welcome to come, please contact us quickly.

How does MBR performance compare in terms of removal efficiency?

MBR systems achieve excellent removal rates: >95% BOD removal, >90% COD removal, >99% suspended solids removal, >90% ammonia removal, >99.9% pathogen removal, and significant reduction in pharmaceuticals and endocrine disruptors. These performance levels consistently exceed conventional treatment methods.

What factors should be considered when designing an MBR system?

Key design considerations include influent characteristics and flow rates, required effluent quality standards, membrane type and configuration, hydraulic and organic loading rates, aeration requirements, space constraints, local climate conditions, energy availability, operator skill level, and long-term expansion needs.

Need More Information?

Our experts are ready to help you design and implement the perfect MBR solution for your wastewater treatment needs.