AWWA MTC69742

This paper describes how membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology can become standardized, and the first steps that can be taken to simplify design and procurement of MBR projects independent of particular MBR suppliers. The author's opinion is that MBR standardization is a market-driven process. MBRs may pass through a similar process as the high pressure membranes, reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF), are passing through as they become standardized. The market first needs to be saturated, causing major MBR membrane manufacturers to separate the MBR membrane manufacturing business from the MBR systems integration business as more knowledge on MBR design and operation will be collected in the industry. It is likely that standardization will occur in module shape and in the configuration of the MBR membrane elements, much like the element diameters (2.5", 4" and 8") that the RO and NF membranes adopted when being standardized. In other words, the hollow-fiber immersed elements from the different brands may become comparable, and the same may happen with the flat plate immersed elements and with the pressurized elements as well. The first signs of standardization are already visible: the hollow-fiber MBR supplier PURON (part of the KOCH group) has introduced hollow-fiber cassettes that are similar in size to ZENON's (part of the GE Water Technologies). One of the key suppliers of RO elements on the market, TORAY, has introduced flat sheet membranes into the market, allowing the system integrators to design and construct MBR systems. As MBR technology becomes more widespread, we may notice more and more signs of MBR standardization. Includes table.