Singapore's Jurong WRP Membrane Bioreactor Facility – Industrial and Retrofit Challenges

As part of Singapore's program of sustainable water management, the Public Utilities Board (PUB) is retrofitting part of its Jurong Water Reclamation Plant (WRP) to create a membrane bioreactor (MBR) process with 68,000 m3/d (18 usmgd) capacity. Three of eight existing 10,000-m3 (2.6-MG) aeration basins will be reconfigured to become biological nutrient removal (BNR) basins and immersed membrane tanks. The MBR process will supply high-quality product water to a refinery and other industries on nearby Jurong Island. By reusing this water, PUB will reduce Singapore's water supply requirements.This paper discusses challenges faced in developing the concept for the new MBR process, including characterization of multiple influent streams, maximizing use of existing tankage, balancing capital and operating costs, and evaluating the merits of influent equalization. This project illustrates how new technology can be integrated with existing infrastructure to maximize the usefulness of these assets while minimizing cost.