Submerged hollow fiber membrane system

Figure 10.34b shows a vibrating submerged hollow fiber membrane system for filtration applications [81]. In this system, the submerged membrane is vibrated by a mechanical... 

P.R. Berube and E. Lei, The effect of hydrodynamic conditions and system configurations on the permeate flux in a submerged hollow fiber membrane system, J. Membr. Sci., 271 (2006) 29-37. 

The submerged MBR system is a small-footprint, single-process unit that can achieve a high-quality standard with low solids production. The membrane systems typically utilize either micro- or ultramembranes configured as hollow fibers, flat sheets, or tubes depending upon the manufacturer. Experience over the past decade has proved MBRs to be reliable and cost-effective for high-quality effluent applications, and relatively easy to maintain and operate. The key parameters for MBR... 

The application of MF and UF technology in water treatment is still relatively new, as many full-scale plants are less than 10 years old. Consequently, the design of MF and UF systems varies from plant to plant as no single design has proved itself to be the best (see Table 6.2). For example, MF/UF systems may be positioned horizontally or vertically, operate in deadend or cross-filtration mode, the membranes may be immersed/submerged in a feed tank where permeate is sucked (via vacuum) into the inside of the hollow fiber (outside-in filtration) or the membranes may be housed in modules where pressurized feed water is forced through the fiber and permeate is collect on the outside (inside-out filtration). 

Capital Costs The capital costs have dropped for aU membrane systems. However, there is evidence that submerged hoUow-fiber modules have marginally lower costs, particularly for larger plants, due to the absence of pressure vessels, simpler plumbing and simplicity of the hollow-fiber bundle. 

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