MBR Pilot Plant Research Beverwijk The Netherlands - Dhv

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MBR Pilot Plant Research Beverwijk
The Netherlands
Client:
Water Board Hollands
Noorderkwartier and STOWA
Financing agency:
Water Board Hollands
Noorderkwartier, STOWA and
membrane suppliers
Scope of services:
Research
Location:
Beverwijk WWTP
Period of assignment:
2000-2004
Membrane compilation
Research on pre-treatment
Situation
The Beverwijk wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) was confronted with three problems.
Firstly, the effluent quality was poor; secondly, the discharge standards would become
stricter and thirdly, the capacity had to increase. Because the WWTP is completely
surrounded by an industrial estate, there was no space available for extension. Due to
this, the plan to investigate the membrane bioreactor was launched.
Assignment
The Water Board Hollands Noorderkwartier and STOWA have commissioned DHV in
2000 to carry out a pilot plant research with four different types of MBR pilot installations
to investigate the possibilities of MBR technology for the Dutch municipal wastewater
market. This contract was extended and the membrane suppliers contributed in the
costs. In total, research was carried out on 12 different configurations of 7 suppliers
between 2000 and 2004.
The Project
In 2000, the pilot research was started with four installations of Kubota, Mitsubishi, X-
Flow and Zenon. Extensive research was carried out with these installations during two
years. After this, the research was continued with installations of Memfis, Seghers-
Keppel and Huber-VRM beside some of the original installations until mid 2004.
In 2000 and 2001, the research was directed at the development and applicability of a
MBR under the specific Dutch circumstances as low temperature in the winter and
dynamic influent patterns.

Research facilities Beverwijk
WWTP
Membrane filtration principle
Microscopic research on
membranes
DHV B.V.
Water
Laan 1914 no. 35
3818 EX Amersfoort
P.O. Box 1132
3800 BC Amersfoort
The Netherlands
T +31 33 4682000
F +31 33 4682801
E info@dhv.nl
www.dhv.com
The main focus was on the biological functioning (organic material and nutrient
removal), the pre-treatment, the sludge characteristics and the membrane operation. In
2002 and 2003, the research was aimed at the optimisation of the chemical cleaning of
the membranes.
The characteristics of the pilot installations are as follows:
Supplier Type Membrane Type Pore
Size
(µm)
Surface
area
(m 2 )
Zenon ZW500a-c-d hollow fibre 0,035 184-60-95 8
Kubota SD / DD flat sheet 0.4 240 10
Mitsubishi 3-laags hollow fibre 0.4 314 7
X-Flow AirFlush tubular 0.03 220 9
Memfis MTR flat sheet 0.035 112 5
Toray DD hollow fibre 0.08 137 5
Huber E rotating flat sheet 0.035 360 15
Design
capacit
y (m 3 /h)
One of the conclusions of the research is that the required pre-treatment is more
extensive than in the case of a conventional treatment system. Beside a common used
fine screen also a micro-sieve is necessary.
The same set of design rules for the biological treatment applies for both a MBR as the
conventional systems. However, the processes happen in quicker succession due to the
shorter hydraulic retention times. This results in consequences for the design.
The investigation of the fouling and cleaning of the membranes show that prevention of
fouling by so-called maintenance cleaning has great advantages compared to the
conventional cleaning methods, when cleaning occurs when the performance is below a
certain setpoint. This results in higher reliability and a lower chemical consumption.
The pilot research at the Beverwijk WWTP has led to positive views on the applicability
of the membrane technology. Furthermore, fundamental changes in the operation are
developed, especially in relation to the cleaning and the control.
As a consequence of this and other factors, it is decided to change the Varsseveld into
a MBR. Thereupon, also the Heenvliet and Ootmarsum WWTPs will be converted into a
MBR.
The whole research on the possible application of the MBR technology is supported by
the water boards, STOWA, consulting engineers, universities, TNO and governmental
departments, in which DHV plays an initiating and coordinating role.