MBR Systems: Similarities and Differences between Manufacturers

The consideration and use of the membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology is advancing rapidly around the world as the need for high levels of treatment and/or small footprint technologies increases for both municipalities and industries. Most MBR installations are less than 10 years old; therefore, the design criteria for this technology are still evolving. In addition, until recently, there were a limited number of manufacturers offering this technology. While the number of vendors has increased, comparison of the various MBR systems offered yields significantly different configurations and design approaches. Depending on the specific project requirements and limitations, the product of one manufacturer may be better suited than ay other based on configuration and/or operating conditions. With the varied design approaches between manufactures, the traditional methods of designing and bidding projects may need to be reconsidered. One alternative is to develop a procurement strategy and pre-select the MBR manufacturer.