What are the advantages of hollow fiber membrane bioreactors(MBR) in wastewater treatment?

As the advantages of hollow fiber membrane bioreactors in wastewater treatment become increasingly apparent, their usage in wastewater treatment is also becoming more widespread. Next, let us unveil the five core advantages of hollow fiber membrane bioreactors in wastewater treatment.

Table of Contents

1. Modular Design: Flexible like Building Blocks

The membrane modules are arranged in “hollow fiber membrane sheets” that can be combined into modules. This design allows flexible adjustment of membrane sheets to adapt to different scales. For example, a 500m³/d system was installed in 3 days, reducing construction time by 50% compared to traditional processes.

2. Efficient Separation: Turning Sewage into Clear Water

MBR filters wastewater through micropores (0.1-0.4μm) to intercept suspended solids, bacteria, and viruses. Effluent quality exceeds Class A of GB 18918-2002, suitable for reuse.

3. Anti-Fouling Performance: Less Maintenance

Membrane sheets made of PVDF with air scouring technology prevent sludge blockage. Cleaning cycles can be extended to 90 days (3x longer than traditional membranes), reducing maintenance costs and labor.

4. Energy and Cost Efficiency

MBR reduces energy consumption by 20-30% through low sludge concentration operation. Membrane modules last 5-8 years, minimizing replacement costs and carbon emissions.

5. Intelligent Control: Automated Operation

Real-time monitoring adjusts aeration and backwashing automatically. Chemical cleaning is triggered when fouling is detected, ensuring optimal operation without manual intervention.

Real Case: Upgrading a Municipal Wastewater Plant

Project Background Coastal city plant struggled to meet discharge standards with traditional activated sludge process.
Solution Replaced secondary sedimentation tank with two 3000m³/d Submerged Hollow Fiber MBR systems.
Results
  • COD≤30mg/L, BOD≤10mg/L, SS≤5mg/L (exceeding Class A)
  • Space savings: 40% reduction to 600m²
  • Energy savings: 20-30% (¥600,000 annual cost reduction)
  • Maintenance reduced by 70% (90-day cleaning cycle)
Client Feedback “The system saved space, energy, and labor. Automation reduced staff from 3 to 1 per shift.” – Engineer Li

Conclusion: The Future of Wastewater Treatment

Submerged Hollow Fiber MBR offers balanced efficiency, cost, and intelligence, ideal for municipal and industrial applications. Consider this technology for 30% space savings and 20% energy reduction.
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chris Li

Hi, I am the author of this article and I have been working in this field for more than 8 years. If you want to know about water treatment related knowledge and products, please feel free to ask me any questions.

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