Membrane Bioreactors: Innovative Operations

Sunday, October 19, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
1 day, 0.6 CEUs

The purpose of this workshop is to make available some practical, common-sense information on what needs to be considered in the operation of a membrane bioreactor (MBR) facility, what to look for and what to avoid.  The goal of the workshop is to bring front-line operators, of recently constructed operating facilities and start-up specialists of MBR plants together in one place to discuss the operational nuances, start-up issues, operating experience and application of these systems.  A quick section on basic MBR terminology will be first on the agenda.  Following will be the systems that surround the membranes and differences in NPDES design criteria and membrane design criteria.  This first session includes an overview of the contents of the WEF manual “Membrane Systems for Wastewater Treatment”.  Attendees will receive a discount coupon for this book.  In addition, new terms have emerged as the technology develops.  The more recent terms that are not listed in the MBR manual will be introduced during the first presentation.

With more plants going on line the focus is to provide as many Operator presentations as possible.  Two industrial application presentations by plant operators will be included.  Many new installations have been designed, constructed and are now operational.  The application of MBR to design considerations varies. The facilities selected are recently constructed with 1 to 4 years of operational data.  The types of facilities include small and large plants, fast track construction projects, retrofitted plants, and industrial applications.  The operators will discuss MBR application, start-up issues, troubleshooting, operational performance and maintenance history.  The workshop will focus on two flat plate and three hollow fiber membrane plants.  Industrial applications will include one flat plate and one hollow fiber. 

The plants scheduled to be discussed are: American Canyon WWTP – This plant has two treatment streams, one for municipal and one for industrial; Nassau WWTP – a new WWTP which is on a greenfield with low total nitrogen requirements; Marco Island WWTP – a scalping plant with fast track construction, pre-engineered steel tanks, skid mounted, retro-fit, water reuse, small foot print; McFarland Creek WWTP – a medium size plant retrofit within existing tanks and membrane thickening for sludge,  flow is by gravity; Owens Corning (Industrial Application)– Owens Corning operates multiple membrane filtration plants at various sites; and, Guggisbury Cheese Factory—demonstrating an industrial application.

An important part of the workshop is the hands-on portion and will include the availability of individual flat plate and hollow fiber membranes, demonstration of process testing/monitoring and a demonstration to illustrate the ease to repair a membrane.  The hands-on portion has been scheduled in conjunction with the networking break to provide more time for operator presentations and the inclusion of a problem solving breakout during the afternoon.
 
During the problem solving event, attendees will be divided into groups.  Each group will be presented with operational issues and they will be charged with preparing a possible solution.  The problem solving portion will conclude with interaction between the groups to provide answers to the problems. 

Finally, an exchange of plant operating data will be given.  The exchange will be based on plant operating data accumulated over the past few years to illustrate the performance being achieved by membrane technology.  The workshop will conclude with a Q&A session with all speakers.

Chair
Terry Gellner, CT Consultants

Co-Chair
Kim Riddell, City of Delphos, Ohio

Speakers
Peter Lee, City of American Canyon
Jeff Poteet, City of San Marco Island
John Adams, McFarland Creek WWTP, Geauge County Department of Water
 Resources
Cliff Merritt, Owens Corning
Brian Codianne, Enviroquip
Jason Diamond, Zenon Environmental, Inc.