Page 13 - Simplified Wastewater Treatment Fundamentals\MBR
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Membrane Bioreactors (MBR’s)
The membranes must undergo 2 operating conditions.
Normal operation involves permeation, in which the mixed liquor is
drawn through the membrane producing clean wastewater.
Given time, the membrane pores will eventually become too clogged to
permeate.
When wastewater flow rate or flux becomes low, the MBR system
backwashes and cleans the membranes.
The membranes enter a relaxation phase where treated wastewater is
pumped backwards through the hollow membrane tubes and into the
mixed liquor. This serves to keep the membranes cleaned and able to
permeate.
