Proposal for collaboration between ETH Zurich and NTU Singapore Area : Water Resources, Management, Technology ETH-NTU

Program for Newater Research : Vibration MBR high flux, low energy and smaller system
Low Seow Chay School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Nanyang Technological University 50,i Nanyang Ave, S 639798, SINGAPORE. Contact: Assoc Prof S C Low; Email: msclow@ntu.edu.com Tel: (65) 67905516 Fax : (65) 67910788 Abstract

Membrane in MBR is subjected to a high mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS). The solid suspension fouls the membrane quickly and the permeate flux drops badly. A strong and high rate of air aeration is required to slow down the membrane from fouling. Works in NTU discovered that a low amplitude and low frequency vibration applied to a membrane bundle in MBR kept the permeate rate 3 times higher than the normally suspended membrane and twice that of the MBR with aggressive air aeration.

The findings means less energy consumption, smaller MBR bundle and faster water extraction when applying the vibration MBR concept.

Works in future will include : 1. More extensive tests of the concept in bigger MBR system and variety of situations. 2. Explore design concepts to incorporate vibration to large and heavy systems. 3. Theoretical analysis that links the vibration induced force, fluid viscosity, the foulant dynamics and the membrane characteristics.

Keywords : Submerged Membrane bioreactor, MBR, vibration membrane, vibration MBR

Motivation : MBR is gaining popularity in sewer treatment system due to smaller plant size, higher high mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) and shorter sewer resident time. These system advantages favor countries like Singapore having limited and costly land for treatment plant. This technology is particularly relevant when Singapore building waste water treatment plant in the under ground deep tunnel.

In MBR application, the high mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) fouled the membrane rapidly and system required aggressive aeration to maintain the membrane flux. Air aeration was costly yet not ideal. The introduction of mechanical means through shaking the membrane was tested and found to be more effective in keeping the MBR membrane at its best performance. This area is new and many field tests will be needed to perfect the application. Practically, there is no establish theories developed in the special field of application. There is tremendous space for the development of theory applicable to the vibration MBR.

The success of the vibration MBR would save energy, reduce system cost and occupy less land.

Expertise : This is an on going project started more than four years ago. The initial works was confined to the VSEP (Vibratory Shear Enhanced Processing) which is one of the most powerful vibration membrane systems. Later, the research moved into the use of hollow fiber ultra-filtration PAN membrane bundle which could be easily submerged in sewer pond and the shaking of the membrane could be achieved without infringing the patent right of VSEP. At this stage, tests already confirmed that the NTU vibration MBR is more superior than other known techniques in preventing membrane fouling in MBR application. The following are the publications showing the research progress to date:

S C Low, H J Han & W X Jin, Characteristics of a vibration membrane in water recovery from a fine carbon loaded waste water. Desalination, Elsevier Science, Netherlands, 2003, Vol 160, pp 83-90 S C Low, W X Jin & Michael Tan Characteristics of particle and membrane pore sizes on the performance of water recovery from a fine carbon loaded wastewater using a vibration membrane system 2

Desalination, Elsevier Science, Netherlands, 2004, Vol 167C, pp217-226. S C Low, H J Han & Low Kwok Siong A combined VSEP and membrane bioreactor system Desalination, Elsevier Science, Netherlands, 2005, Vol 183, pp869-878. S C Low ; Han Hee Juan ; KT Cheong Parametric studies of a vibration membrane for MBR Desalination, Elsevier Science, Netherlands, 2007, Vol xxx, Accepted for publication Key researcher: Prof Low Seow Chay He helps to coordinate the Energy and Environment research in the Thermal Fluids Engineering Division of the school of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, NTU. Prior to his present research in water, he worked in fuels, combustion in engines and air pollution control for automotive applications. He started water research a decade ago. Under the government research grants, he developed a 3-stage vertically stacked multieffect distillation plant (MED), one of the few in the world. Besides the vibration MBR work, he also familiar with the casting of hollow fiber PAN UF membranes and the casting of flat composite polyamide thin film nano membrane.

He was a Member of Parliament for 18 years and held the appointment of Chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for the Environment. During his term of office, he actively influenced the policies in water and the environment. His contribution behind the scene swayed the government view on the first large scale desalination plant from the power and thermal desalination co-generation system (suggested by the German consultant) to that of the present SWRO system. The cost of the latter was only a quarter of what the original $1 billion co-generation plant.

Directions of study: There are three areas in the study of this commercially viable research and development. 1. Microscopic investigations into the interactions of suspension sizes, relative velocity, turbulences, membrane pore, trans-membrane pressure and membrane surface properties. In search, cast and port membranes suitable for vibration MBR. 2. Develop theory and computer modeling that link the vibration induced force to the solid suspension dynamics, fluid properties and the characteristic of the membrane.

3. Perfect the design and applications of the vibration MBR for large scale application. Finally, to build a pilot plant in Singapore and hope to work with PUB in one of their sewer treatment plants. This likely leads to the commercialization of the vibration MBR.

Proposal: We propose to establish Program of Newater (note - recycled water) Research. It attracts researchers from both NTU and ETH to take parts and bring in ideas into the program. It helps to diversify the ways and means and bring innovations and technologies in dealing with water recycling. Joint research projects with funding could be established. Researchers and post-graduate students could be attached to and work in the laboratories of both countries.

The vibration MBR is the first project to kick off the collaboration under the Newater Program. Some other water recycling projects doing in NTU now include the forward osmosis using a draw fluid of high osmotic pressure and the flow through capacitive desalination for recycle water of low salinity.

To start with, key researchers could arrange for short term attachment to familiar themselves with what the potential collaborator are doing. Later, initiate joint projects. With a bigger pool of researchers and funding resulted from the collaboration from the two countries, we expect good research cultural cross fertilization, complimenting each other strength and greater success in the commercialization of research findings.

For funding purpose, we assume that we have three collaborations, namely: 1. Vibration MBR 2. Forward osmosis by a high osmotic pressure draw fluid for water recycling 3. Flow through capacitive desalination for water of low salinity

Assumptions: 1. Each project has two principle investigators (1-NTU & 1-ETH) and four research students. 2. Each principle investigator visits the collaborator country for three months during the project period.

3. Each student visits the collaborator country for 6 months during the period of collaboration. 4. 50% of funding is for manpower and 50% is for research hardware. 5. There will be 10% cost as contingency and 20% cost to NTU.

Funding: We propose a period of 3 years from 1 Jan 2008 till 31 Dec 2010.

Manpower cost (Singapore $) Staff Category Principle investigator Research assistant Research student Total (manpower) Cost/yr 230000 53000 25000 No. 6 3 6 15 Year 1 115000 159000 150000 424000 Year 2 115000 159000 150000 424000 Year 3 115000 159000 150000 424000 Sub Total 345000 477000 450000 1272000

Other cost (Singapore $): Category Hardware cost(1) Travel(2) Overseas allowance(3) Contingency NTU Cost @20% Total (others)
(1) (2) (3)

Remarks

Year 1 636000

Year 2 636000 16635 72000

Year 3

Sub Total 1272000 33270 144000 272127 598679 2320076

Economy $2k/mth 10% 20%

16635 72000

Hardware cost (=manpower cost): $1,270,000 Travel (Economy class six-month tickets by SIA @ $2218): $33,270 Overseas allowances ($2000 per month): $144,000

Total cost proposed: $3,592,076 (Three millions five hundred and ninety-two thousands and seventy-six Singapore dollars)

SHORT CV OF DR LOW SEOW CHAY NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY Dr Low was a Mechanical Engineering graduate from the University of Singapore. Later, he was awarded a PhD degree from the University of Manchester (UMIST). The early part of his research work was confined to engine, emissions and energy. A decade ago, he shifted his interest to desalination, membrane and recycling of water. He had 2 grants from the Academics Research Fund for desalination research and another NSTB grant jointly worked with M/S Aquagen Pte Ltd on Thermal desalination. He was actively involved in shaping the Singapore policies in water and the environment in his 18 years service as Member of Parliament, Singapore. He held the appointment of Chairman of the Government Parliamentary committee for the Environment and was the Vice Chairman of the Singapore Preparatory Committee for the World Climate Change Summit in 2002. At present, he is the Associate Professor in the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. He helps to coordinate research in the areas of Energy and Environment.

FULL CV OF DR LOW SEOW CHAY NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY CV Form for Academic Staff (Part-l) Name: Low Seow Chay School: Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Date of 1st Appointment: 1 Sep 1981 ______________________________________________________________________________ Academic Qualifications: B Eng , University of Singapore 1973 MSc, Victoria University of Manchester (UMIST) 1977 PhD, Victoria University of Manchester (UMIST) 1981 Professional Qualifications/Memberships: PEng (Mech) , MSAE , MEDS Summary of Working Experience: (with dates) Year from 1 Jan 1992 3 Sep 1988 1 Jan 1984 1 Sep 1981 1 Sep 1980 1 Dec 1978 1 Oct 1977 1 May 1975 1 Jul 1973 Year to to date 21 May 2006 31 Dec 1991 31 Dec 1983 31 Sep 1981 31 Aug 1980 31 Dec 1977 15 Oct 1976 30 Apr 1975 Appointments Associate Professor, NTU Member of Parliament, Singapore Parliament Senior Lecturer, MPE, NTI/NTU Lecturer, MPE, NTI Research Officer, Lucas CAV Ltd, UK (A subsidiary of LUCAS Group) Full Time Demonstrator, University of Manchester Institute of Science & Technology R&D Trainee, Mirrlees Blackstone Pte Ltd, UK (A subsidiary of Hawker Sidney Group) Mechanical Engineer, Singapore Automotive Engineering Pte Ltd. ( Now known as ST Automotives) National Service, School of Artillery Present Appointment: Associate Professor Division: Thermal & Fluids Engineering

NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY CV Form for Academic staff (Part-Il) Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering A. TEACHING
1. Awards : Was voted the best teacher in 1983 by the pioneer batch of MPE students 2. He is one of the Thermodynamics tutors whose classes are always full by the choice of students. Scored high in teaching assessment for M491 lectures , Thermodynamics tutorials. 3. Revamp the unpopular final year course, Energy Conversion Systems, to M491 (Clean Technology and the Environment). 4. Development of teaching materials: All teaching materials are developed in electronic forms and are uploaded in his web site for subjects a. M365 (Thermodynamics and Fluids Mechanics); b. MP2010 (Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer); c. M491 (Clean Technology and the Environment) d. Web : http://www.ntu.edu.sg/home/msclow 5. Short courses : Ran short courses in Industrial Energy Conservation for the part of Internal Combustion Engines in the 1990s 6. Text-books : a. Prepare the index, proof read and derive all the equations for book Thermodynamics and Gas-dynamics of Internal Combustion Engine by R S Benson. b. Copy right granted to Dr Christ Nightingale for inclusion of data and diagrams for his chapter in the book, Internal Combustion Engines : Science and Technology, edited by J H Weaving. c. Plan writing a Thermodynamics text book for weaker students based on his years of experience in this most difficult mechanical engineering subject,

B.

RESEARCH
1. Desalination : Works in projects like thermal desalination system, fluted surface heat & mass transfer, thin film water evaporation, vertically stacked MED system. 2. Research and design a high pressure energy recovery pump for SWRO system. 3. Vibration membrane for submerged membrane bio-reactor (SMBR) used in waste water recycling. 4. Nano- & ultra-filtration membrane casting and application for potable water filtration with marginal salinity. 5. Membrane applications for potable water in poor countries. 6. Bio-Diesel : Winterization and production processes for palm oil derived bio-diesel. A subsidiary of listed Keck Seng Group will sponsor the research. A PhD student with 1st class honours is in the enrolment process and scholarship application. 7. Pressure wave in long natural gas pipe line and MRT tunnel. 8. Served as a reviewer : Review papers for Society of Automotive Engineering ; IMechE and Desalination / Membrane Science Elvisier Press 9. External research funding : NSTB 16/6/7 (1997-1999) jointly applied with Aquagen Pte Ltd in Desalination. NTU as collaborator. 10. AcRF Research Funding : Recent funding were the RG 70/98 ($161,500) and RG 47/99 ($206,000). So far had successfully applied for 5 AcRP funded projects. (3 projects as principal investigator in areas of desalination, treatment of heavy marine waste oils and pallet machine and 2 projects as collaborator in areas of desalination and composite materials). 11. Research students at present : a. 1 Master Student in Seawater Reverse Osmosis energy recovery pump . b. 1 PhD student in Bio-diesel winterization and production processes. Research Contributions and accomplishments : 1. The most knowledgeable person in Engine : His accumulated years of experience in engines positioned him as one of the most knowledgeable persons in internal combustion engine in Singapore. He acquired this specialised knowledge through his years of working experience in Singapore Automotive Engineering Pte Ltd (SAE), Engine research in University of Manchester,

2.

3.

4.

research in Lucas CAV, training in Mirrlee Blackstone and the subsequent research in NTU. He served as consultant for Shell and SAE. At present, he negotiates for consultancy projects with ST Kinetics, EnerSave and AP Oil in engine fuels and its combustion related works. His engine innovations : (a) Invented a dynamic shutter system for spark ignition engine that cut off the pumping loss at low engine load. (b) He invented a variable compression device for the spark ignition engine that kept high compression at low engine load and normal compression at high load. Both inventions help to increase engine thermal efficiency. An important opinion shaper in the national water policies : His involvement as consultant for Singaport Cleanseas Pte Ltd in membrane, joint NSTB desalination research with Aquagen, his active research in Nano-filtration membrane casting and SMBR, armed himself with realistic and practical data for desalination system for Singapore. His two consecutive letters to the then PM Goh and SM Lee on why Singapore should go for the seawater reversed osmosis systems instead of a multi-stage flash (MSF) and power co-generation system. His argument led to the installation of the present 70 million gallons per day SWRO system at the estimated cost of $250 million dollars instead of the original $1 billion co-generation desalination plant proposed by the German consultant to PUB. Helping the 3rd world in their water need and recycling : He is in the process actively involving in projects help to recycle water in India and provide of clean water in Pakistan.

C.

SERVICE
Consultancy services : 1. Membrane and water recycling : Singaport Cleanseas Pte Ltd (Ended lately and due to management buy out of the company) 2. Membrane and water recycling : will be a consultant of an Indian company in designing system dealing with textile dying factory effluent in Tiruppur, India. 3. Membrane applications for potable water supply in Pakistan. Will help a Malaysian consortium in systems recommendation in both UF and low pressure RO systems. 4. Bio-gas engine design : Will help a SGX listed company to design a new combustion chamber/system for a bio-gas engine to be manufactured in Shenzen, China. On going research works are conducted in exploring in-cylinder compressed gas injection in IDI diesel combustion chamber. 5. Shell Eastern Petroleum : Was Shell consultant for diesel fuel additives and the launch of Formula Diesel in Singapore. 6. Engine additives consultancy: Will act as consultant for listed Singapore Technologies Kinetics Ltd and listed AP Oil Ltd in their fuel additives programs. Negotiation on the nature of consultancy is on going. Other services to community and the industries : 1. Member of Parliament, Singapore retired in May 2006 after 18 years of service. 2. Chairman of Government Parliament Committee for the Environment (ended 2002) 3. Vice-chairman of Hong Kah Town Council (ended 2006) 4. Board member of Housing and Development Board, MND (ended 2001) 5. Member of Social Welfare Review Committee, MCDS (ended 2001) 6. Panel member of Feedback Unit, MCDS (ended 1997) 7. Directors of the following technology and engineering driven companies : a. Hor Kew Corporation Ltd; b. Heeton Holdings Ltd, c. LK Technology Ltd, d. CASA Holdings Ltd and e. Cleanwater Tech Pte Ltd. 8. Adviser of the following trade associations : a. Singapore Timber Manufacturers Association, b. Singapore Live Stock and Poultry Farmers Association, c. Singapore Poultry Import and Export Association. Other services to professional bodies : 1. Member of Technical Committee of Standard Council of Singapore, MTI. (ended 1992) 2. Member of Continuous Professional Education Committee, PE Board and Board of Architects 1982-1988 3. Publication Committee of IES in the 1980s

4. President, Engineering Alumni Singapore 1986-88 5. Member of Presidential Committee of the Engineering Alumni Singapore
6. Journal paper reviewer for the International Journal of Desalination / Membrane Science by Elsevier Science Awards : 1. Certificate of Merit by Standard Council of Singapore 1992 2. Honorary Naval Aviator by USS Constellation Commander 3. Many other awards in Community services from 1981 -2005

D.

PUBLICATIONS Type of publication International Journals publications Local Journal Publications Conference Publications Other Publications Total Number of paper 25 10 42 10 87

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