Proceedings

Membrane bioreactors (MBR) for industrial and municipal applications show advantages at space demand and effluent quality compared to conventional activated sludge systems (CAS). Their main disadvantages are a higher energy demand, which is mainly related to the module aeration for the continuous membrane cleaning (crossflow) and a limited lifetime of the membrane modules. Hence, the challenge to make MBR competitive against CAS hinges on the minimization of both, membrane surface and energy demand for crossflow aeration.
Therefore a mechanical cleaning process (MCP) was developed that keeps the membrane surface free of sludge depositions and all fouling effects. The MCP ensures a significant flux increase up to 30 % in comparison to a standard MBR-application without MCP. Since 2008 several full-scale MBR systems utilizing the MCP technology have been commissioned, demonstrating the advantages and reliability of this unique technology.