31 August 2011
STULZ-PLANAQUA builds MBR with innovative membrane cleaning technology (MCP)
For the wastewater treatment plant Hösel-Dickelsbach of the Bergisch-Rheinischer Wasserverband (Bergisch-Rhine Water Association) STULZ-PLANAQUA builds a membrane biological reactor (MBR, 2,800 PE) with innovative membrane cleaning technology. The process for a mechanical membrane cleaning (mechanical cleaning process = MCP) uses plastic granules as whirling bodies inside the airlift stream of the submerged membrane modules. The effects are an increase of the filtration capacity (reduction of required membrane surface), a significant reduction of the energy demand and chemical treatment.
Following a selection of several options and due to very limited space available a complete re-build of the existing plant towards membrane biology (MBR) has been chosen. The existing trickling filter structures will be removed and the final clarifiers will be rebuild as permeat and sludge storage basins.
STULZ-PLANAQUA GmbH builds a complete membrane bioreactor plant for 2,800 PE comprising mechanical pre-treatment (screens, grit and grease removal), an intermittent nitrification/ denitrification basin and a three-train membrane filtration in separate membrane basins. A special feature is the integration of the above-mentioned MCP-process.
In this process plastic granules circulating in the membrane basin are added to the activated sludge, thus causing a mechanical cleansing on the surface of the membranes through a cross-induced airlift stream. This effect causes a sustainable increase of the cleaning process.
Besides an increase of cleaning intervals significantly higher flowrates (30% increase) can be achieved through this MCP-process. This leads to savings of membrane surface (lower investment costs) and savings of energy demand up to 35%.
With a contract value of approx. EUR 2.4 Mio STULZ-PLANAQUA GmbH is responsible for the process technology, detail engineering, supply and installation of the entire electrical and mechanical equipment and the commissioning. Commissioning is scheduled at the end of 2012.
