MBR-Membrane Bio Reactor

• For reuse application, the MBR-based treatment approach gives better results (lower COD/BOD) because solid-liquid separation is based on a fine pore submicron membrane.

• Nutrient removal is also better or at par in the MBR reactor due to higher MLSS.

• For reuse application, the MBBR-based approach gives limited results as the final solid-liquid separation is based on gravity.

• If MBR-equivalent output is required, then the conventional process would require extensive tertiary treatment and even Ultra Filtration of the treated water.

• MBR systems due to their higher MLSS operation create a unique ecosystem which is very efficient in removal of nutrients likes nitrogen and phosphorus present in sewage water.

• If good nutrient removal is desired in conventional technology then special design is required as these technology are very in- efficient in nutrient removal.

• The advantage of MBR over conventional technology in nutrient removal has been verified by several studies.

• MBR based approach is only single composite treatment stage.

• Single treatment stage makes plant operation easier.

• There are generally three treatment stage: Primary, Secondary and Tertiary.

• Three stages of treatment complicates plant operation.

• MBR plant have smallest foot print.

• Because the treatment stages are composite in nature the plants are compact and their design highly flexible.

• Small foot print plant makes design of package plant very easy.

• Conventional plant occupy nearly double the space that of MBR.

• The plant design is in flexible in nature.

• Design of package plant is difficult due to bulky nature of plant.

• As MBR operate on higher MLSS content, the sludge generation is lower than conventional plants.

• Higher MLSS operation creates unique environment wherein the plants can be if desired operated in net zero sludge mode.

• Lower plant foot print helps plan sludge management well

• These technologies operate on a limited MLSS values which is ½ to 2/3 less than MBR.

• Lower MLSS leads to higher sludge generation. As the plant foot print is higher, there is limited space available for sludge handling.

• Membrane based system haver lower startup and stabilization time because go nearly 100% retention of bacterial mass within the bioreactor.

• Conventional Biofilms based process required longer duration for startup. They also require very close monitoring of the process and regular intervention.

• OSE MBR system are by default fully automatic system requiring minimal manual intervention.

• Pump operations, Membrane backwashing, air purging, sludge wasting and in-situ CIP happen in auto mode.

• Manufacturers of conventional plant generally charge extra for a fully automatic plant.

• Treatment capacity of OSE MBR plants can be increased to accommodate increased flow of wastewater.

• Higher MLSS based operation gives good results at even lower HRT (Hydraulic Residence Time)

• Plants based on these technologies cannot be expanded as the HRT are higher and thus it cannot be increased easily.

• Capital cost of MBR plants were higher in past due to higher membrane cost. But with reduction in membrane price during past few years, capital cost of packaged MBR plants have come at par with conventional systems

• Conventional plant has perceived advantage of lower cost, but when complete cost of plant ownership which includes civil and mechanical equipment cost is compared with MBR plant than its at par with MBR based system.