The MBR Book: Principles and Applications of Membrane
The MBR Book: Principles and Applications of Membrane
The MBR Book: Principles and Applications of Membrane
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Case studies 241<br />
flow. Sludge wasted from the tank is dewatered by centrifuge to around 25 wt%.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re is also a simultaneous precipitation for phosphorous removal.<br />
Plant operation <strong>The</strong> plant is operated at an SRT <strong>of</strong> 25 days, which maintains the<br />
mixed liquor at between 10 <strong>and</strong> 15 g/L. <strong>The</strong> membranes are operated at a net flux <strong>of</strong><br />
25 LMH <strong>and</strong> a mean permeability <strong>of</strong> 150–200 LMH/bar. Intermittent coarse bubble<br />
aeration is provided at 34 000 m 3 /h on a 10 s on/10 s <strong>of</strong>f basis, giving a SAD m <strong>of</strong><br />
0.40 Nm 3 /h per m 2 <strong>and</strong> a SAD p <strong>of</strong> 17 m 3 air per m 3 . Physical cleaning comprises a<br />
backflush every 7 min for 60 s at 1.5 times the operating flux. A maintenance chemical<br />
clean is conducted every two weeks by draining the membrane tank <strong>and</strong> backflushing<br />
for 1 h alternately with different cleaning agents, including 500 mg/L<br />
hypochlorite. Cleaning is conducted on individual tanks, that is 12.5% <strong>of</strong> the<br />
installed capacity. <strong>The</strong> number <strong>of</strong> membranes on-line is adjusted according to the<br />
flow, but this is controlled in such a way as to ensure that no membrane train is<br />
<strong>of</strong>f-line for more than a total <strong>of</strong> 70 min. <strong>The</strong> total specific power dem<strong>and</strong> for all<br />
operations is 0.9 kWh/m 3 , which compares to an average <strong>of</strong> 0.5 kWh/m 3 for all conventional<br />
sewage treatment plants operated by the Erftverb<strong>and</strong>.<br />
<strong>The</strong> plant, which incurred a total capital cost <strong>of</strong> €25 m, has been successfully<br />
operating for 23 months without major incidents.<br />
5.3.1.4 Unifine Richardson Foods effluent treatment plant<br />
Background <strong>The</strong> plant at Unifine Richardson Foods in St Mary’s, Ontario (Figs 5.28<br />
<strong>and</strong> 5.29) is an industrial pretreatment facility that discharges to a municipal wastewater<br />
treatment works <strong>and</strong> must meet 300 mg/L BOD <strong>and</strong> 350 mg/L TSS. Any<br />
organic load in excess <strong>of</strong> this is levied an additional surcharge by the municipality.<br />
Reliance on the municipality to receive <strong>and</strong> treat any high-strength waste leaves the<br />
industrial client in a vulnerable position should the works not be able to receive the<br />
industrial wastewater in the future. Richardson Foods moved to its new production<br />
facility in 1999 <strong>and</strong> needed a new wastewater pretreatment facility to replace the<br />
existing SBR, which was over 20 years old. <strong>The</strong> latter was labour-intensive, generated<br />
nuisance odours <strong>and</strong> was subject to upsets due to the proliferation <strong>of</strong> filamentous<br />
bacteria. Richardson Foods hired CH2MHill to select bidders for a new<br />
wastewater pretreatment system <strong>and</strong>, as a result <strong>of</strong> the selection process, Zenon<br />
Environmental Inc. was selected to design, build <strong>and</strong> install the system on a complete<br />
turn-key basis. <strong>The</strong> total contract value was $1 102 000, <strong>and</strong> installation <strong>and</strong><br />
commissioning were completed in November 2000.<br />
Plant design <strong>and</strong> operation Unifine Richardson Foods Ltd. manufactures condiments<br />
for the food service industry. <strong>The</strong> plant makes over 200 products, including<br />
drink syrups, sundae toppings, sauces, mayonnaise <strong>and</strong> salad dressings. <strong>The</strong> wastewater<br />
strength <strong>and</strong> composition is highly variable <strong>and</strong> changes with product<br />
changes, tank flushes, etc. <strong>The</strong> mean influent COD <strong>and</strong> BOD concentrations are<br />
7400 <strong>and</strong> 5500 mg/L, respectively, <strong>and</strong> the average daily flow is 0.15 MLD. <strong>The</strong>re is<br />
a significant concentration <strong>of</strong> oil <strong>and</strong> grease in the wastewater. Wastewater from the