An engine manufacturer enacted a number of sustainability goals, one of which was 90% wastewater reuse. One facility in the northeast United States implemented a ceramic ultrafiltration system in 2019 to reduce labor intensity, free up footprint, and improve life cycle costs versus a polymeric ultrafiltration system. The ceramic ultrafiltration system reduced oil and grease and suspended solids by over 99% to prepare the permeate for biological treatment and achieved over 90% recovery. Subsequently, the site started up a new ceramic membrane-based membrane bioreactor in place of its activated sludge plant, the effluent of which was causing the plant to incur quality surcharges. The membrane bioreactor produced effluent of suitable quality to allow recycle of wastewater via reverse osmosis. The client decided on a spacer tube reverse osmosis system as it was proven in challenging applications and offered more reliability for treating effluent with high concentrations of organics. The reverse osmosis system was started up early in 2020. The permeate is used to displace city water for use as boiler feed water and cooling tower make-up. The permeate passes through a mixed bed ion exchange resin to polish out dissolved solids prior to being pumped to the boilers. The reverse osmosis system has delivered significant savings in resin regeneration chemical costs. The combined system has been operational for over 1.5 years, with the ultrafiltration system being operational for over 2.5 years and the membrane bioreactor over 2 years. This paper will share design experience and lessons learned from this project.
This presentation is available to AMTA Members only.
Speaker
- Bruce Bishop
Company
- Crosstek Membrane Technology LLC
Event
- AMTA/AWWA Membrane Technology Conference, Las Vegas
Session
- AMTA/AWWA Membrane Technology Conference
Date
- 02/22/22
Media
Keywords
- Wastewater, Boiler Feed Water, Three-Stage Membrane System
Reference
- 9715-DP2799