Evolution of Sequencing Batch Reactor - Membrane Bioreactor Technology

AAqua-Aerobic Systems (AAS), in partnership with the Colorado School of Mines (CSM), has completed the successful startup of a sequencing batch reactor-membrane bioreactor (SBR-MBR). The package system treats domestic wastewater generated by a 400-apartment, student and faculty housing-complex located on the CSM campus in Golden, CO. This success is rooted in a 15-year development program that follows an informal Stage-Gate® process. Depending on the level of formality of a company’s development process, each successive stage requires a review before a “go” or “no-go” decision is made. The time necessary for product development in the water industry tends to be rather long. A primary reason is an historical aversion to new equipment and process concepts due to the significant financial investment required by end-users to incorporate them into existing systems. It is also a function of the potential risks associated with adverse environmental impacts and unfavorable public opinion should the new technologies not perform as designed. To be successful in the water industry, patience, willingness to invest significant company assets, and nurturing collaborative partnerships are essential. The development and implementation of this package SBR-MBR treatment system in Colorado reflect such efforts. Sequencing batch reactors (SBR) are a common, although not a predominant, technology for treatment of municipal and industrial wastewater. Bench-scale SBR systems are often employed in laboratory studies to define kinetic parameters and to determine the overall treatability of various streams. Over the past 25 years, AAS has designed, manufactured, and sold over 1000 commercial-scale SBR systems. The existing installation base and market drivers such as high quality effluent, on-site water reuse, and space limitations in prime real estate areas have all provided the development initiatives for the SBR-MBR concept. The first SBR-MBR prototype system developed by AAS was designed to treat 1400 gallons of influent per day, and was installed at a small municipal wastewater treatment plant in Rockton, IL. The resulting on-site study lasted 18 months and required the attention of one full-time researcher/operator. During the study, the SBR process tank was closecoupled with an external pressure-fed membrane that was provided by Pall Corp. Due to the basic membrane design and its application in wastewater treatment, a screening step was required between the bioreactor and the membrane unit. Screening influent waste streams to a high degree was generally deemed unnecessary by the industry at that time; however experience in Rockton revealed that this was not the case. Today, effective influent pre-screening is considered necessary and is typical of MBR designs and operation. Although the process worked well and the membrane produced the desired water quality, researchers were Concepts & Ideas Product Fit & Market Evaluation Alpha Prototype Testing Design, Review & Funding Approval Beta Prototype Review Testing Commercialize Version 2 Version 1