Full-Scale Operating Experience with USA-based ADI-AnMBR Systems for Food Wastes

The anaerobic membrane bioreactor (ADI-AnMBR) process incorporates anaerobic digestion and membrane filtration in one process. The AnMBR is well suited to treating food processing wastewaters which contain high concentrations of biodegradable organics, suspended solids and some fat, oil and grease. The AnMBR can treat the wastewaters to a level such that the effluent can be discharged to the local Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) in a single step.This paper will present case studies on three successful AnMBR systems in the United States, discuss the technical challenges in treating the selected wastewaters, and highlight the operating data and performance of the AnMBR systems. The three plants to be discussed are the systems at Ken's Foods, a confectionary manufacturing plant, and the Kellogg Company.