MBR plant with Microbioflottazione

REFRACTORY LOW BIODEGRADABLE WASTEWATER TREATMENT

The aim of the recent experimentation and research carried out from the  technicians of  CIEM IMPIANTI Srl was focused in verifying the reliability of advanced biotechnological systems for the treatment of refractory low biodegradable waste waters, combining the so called  “MBR” (membrane biological reactor) technology with the Microbioflottazione, considering the need of higher quality standards and the possibility to reuse the treated wastewater into production.

The COD removal which is always at good levels with the Microbioflottazione only, generally between the range of  84-94%, can be remarkably improved in the MBR plus Microbioflottazione combination.
 
Nitrogen is  successfully removed using a NITRO-DENITRO MBR process, with yields into the range from 85 to 98%. This result has to be ascribed to the perfect retention in the Microbioflottazione tank, using ultrafiltration membranes, of the nitrifying-denitrifying biomass.
Phosphorous removal ranges between 87-97% adding to the process an anaerobic phase PAO (Phosphorous Accumulating Organisms).
 
Moreover  the MBR system associated with Microbioflottazione showed high removal capacity of micropollutants such as surfactants, PCBs, aromatic solvents, etc.

INDUSTRIAL INSTALLATION

Installed in February 2008, the plant of Microbioflottazione combined in an MBR system was started up in March 2008 by MAGMA TRATAMIENTOS S.L.U. of MAGMA Group of Valencia (ES) for the treatment of special heavy polluted wastewater coming from the recovery process of various industrial wastes (plastic, paints, mineral oils, industrial wastes etc.) which is the core business of this factory. These wastewater are characterized by a very high pollution load with sensible variations in quantity and quality even on daily scale.

An MBR installation, combining the Microbioflottazione system with microfiltration membranes was therefore designed .

The wastewater discharged from production, after forced chemical-physical treatment with Fenton process (pre-existing), necessary given the difficult characteristics of the waste water itself, is discharged and homogenized in an equalization tank and daily fed, after screening with size passage of 0,5 mm, to the Microbioflottazione tank in which is biologically treated to be afterwards pumped to the final microfiltration phase. The membranes, submerged in an appropriate tank, filters the soluble fraction retaining in the liquid volume the biomass which is returned back to the Microbioflottazione tank. The quantity of excess sludge taken out from the process is minimal, thanks to the strong oxidation in the Microbioflottazione tank.