Water-treatment membranes resist solids buildup
Koch Membrane Systems
The Puron MBR ultrafiltration membrane bioreactor series (photo) is designed for use in industrial and municipal wastewater-treatment applications. It has a single-header design, and its patented module houses reinforced polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) hollow fibers that are fixed only at the bottom, virtually eliminating the buildup of hair and fibrous materials that typically clog the upper ends of other modules, says the company. Solids and particulates, including bacteria, remain on the outside of the fibers, while permeate is drawn through the membrane to the inside of the fibers. The robust braided membrane fibers resist breakage and downtime, says the company, and the system is said to have one of the lowest energy demands among comparable products on the market. Aeration nozzles scour the entire length of the fibers to manage solids with minimal energy consumption, says the company. — Koch Membrane Systems, Wilmington, Mass.