Part 3: MBR Technology – A Sustainable Solution for Wastewater Treatment and Water Reuse** #### **Introduction** Reliability is a fundamental ...
Published on by Hossein Ataei Far, Deputy Manager of the Research, Technology Development, and Industry Relations Center at NWWEC
#### **Introduction**
Reliability is a fundamental consideration when investing in water treatment technology, particularly under operational stress. The evolution of **Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) systems** has demonstrated their ability to deliver consistent, high-performance treatment across diverse global installations, significantly advancing wastewater reclamation and reuse efforts.
#### **Early MBR Installations (1997–2007)**
The first MBR systems were implemented in **the UK, Germany, France, Italy, the USA, Japan, the Netherlands, South Korea, Oman, and China**. These pioneering projects paved the way for MBR technology to become a transformative solution in modern wastewater treatment.
#### **Key Global MBR Projects**
1. **Healdsburg Wastewater Treatment Plant, USA**
- **Location:** Sonoma County, California
- **In operation for over a decade**, treating an **average flow of 1.4 MGD**, with peak capacity exceeding **4 MGD**.
- Demonstrates **long-term resilience and efficiency** in managing variable hydraulic loads.
2. **Tuas Water Reclamation Plant (WRP), Singapore**
- Set to become one of the world’s largest MBR facilities.
- Utilizes deep tunnels to separately convey **domestic and high-strength industrial wastewater**.
- **Domestic wastewater:** Treated through a **650,000 m³/day MBR module**, with further purification into **NEWater.
- **Industrial wastewater:** Processed via a **150,000 m³/day MBR module**, meeting stringent international water quality standards before discharge.
3. **Henriksdal Wastewater Treatment Plant, Sweden**
- Undergoing a **major retrofit** to transition from a **conventional activated sludge system** to an **MBR system.
- Incorporates **1.6 million m² of membrane area**, significantly increasing **treatment efficiency and plant capacity.
- Expected to enhance **regional water quality** and optimize wastewater management.
#### **Conclusion**
These projects underscore the scalability, efficiency, and sustainability of **MBR technology** in wastewater reclamation. As global demand for **water reuse** continues to grow, MBR systems will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of wastewater treatment and sustainable water management.
#### **References**
1. The MBR Membrane Bioreactor Site (2024) ,The MBR at Henriksdal: Pilot and Full-Scale Plant Operation
2. DuPont Water Solutions Website
3. Guidelines for Introducing Membrane Technology in Sewage Works: The 2nd Edition, 2011.
4. PUB Singapore’s National Water Agency
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Figure 1: Tuas Water Reclamation Plant (WRP)- Singapore.