Hitachi Compact MBR(Membrane Bioreactor)

The Hitachi Compact MBR (Membrane Bioreactor) is a water treatment system which uses biological treatment in membrane filtration technology. Compared to conventional sludge treatment systems, the Hitachi Compact MBR is more compact and makes it possible to product high-quality treated water. What is MBR(Membrane Bioreactor)? Combining activated sludge treatment and submerged membrane filtration process makes highly concentrated activated sludge treatment possible. Our low-cost system is easy to maintain, save space, and is suitable for small-scale sewage treatment to obtain high quality treated water.

Membrane Unit

Compact MBR Plant There is no need to use a sedimentation tank for the separation of liquids mixed with the activated sludge because the system can maintain the high density activated sludge in the reaction tank. As a result, treated water yields are higher than ever before and saving space and reducing operation costs. Also, with our system there is no need to deal with activated sludge in a sedimentation tank.

Water treated with the MBR system can be used for toilet flushing, irrigation, landscaping, concrete mixing and curing, and car wash. The Hitachi Compact MBR was jointly developed by Hitachi Plant Technologies, Ltd. and the Japan Sewage Works Agency (Governmental Organization). In addition to the MBR system, we can provide a RO (reverse osmosis) system, thereby providing treated water of still higher quality thanks to the "Hitachi Compact MBR + RO System."

Hitachi Compact MBR(Membrane Bioreactor) Overview of the Hitachi Compact MBR System
The Compact MBR (Membrane Bioreactor) is a water treatment system which uses biological treatment in membrane filtration technology. Compared to conventional sludge treatment systems, the Hitachi Compact MBR is more compact and makes it possible to product high-quality treated water.

The Compact MBR system uses simple submerged flat membrane modules that prevent the entwining of fibrous screenings. A precision filter membrane (having pore sizes of 0.1 m) is used in the flat membranes. Treated water that is both sanitary and clear can be produced because suspended solids and pathogens can be removed. With its space-saving unitized construction, the biological treatment tank reduces the biological treatment times of highly concentrated activated sludge. Please view the video presenting a description of the Compact MBR product.

Immersion flat membrane modules

Comparison with conventional systems The Hitachi Compact MBR system is more space-saving because high density sludge can be held in the reaction tank and retention time reduced (approximately 6 hours). Moreover, treated water with a high degree of transparency can be obtained because high precision filter membranes are used in place of sedimentation tanks and disinfection tank to purify the water and remove bacteria.

Page top

Treated water quality Besides, the combination of the precision filter membranes and highly concentrated activated sludge can remove Coliform and viruses in the treatment process.
Items BOD SS Total Nitrogen Total Phosphorus Fecal coliform MPN 100 ( ( ) ) Unit Raw water Treated water

Above figures vary depending on actual operating conditions.

Wastewater recycling system The Hitachi Compact MBR system treats the drain water and sewage effluents from living areas and facilities to produce water that can be recycled for car wash, toilet flushing, irrigation, landscape maintenance, and other uses.

Hitachi Compact MBR(Membrane Bioreactor) Compact MBR plant structure and membrane modules
Compact MBR plant structure System Flow 1. Small stones and the like are removed by passing raw water through a fine screen. In so doing, damage to the membranes by the collision with the materials is prevented. 2. The raw water is pumped into the MBR tank. Organic materials are separated and removed in the tank by the activated sludge (microorganisms). 3. The membrane unit is submerged in the MBR tank and the water in the tank is removed as treated water by suction filtration. Air is supplied by a blower so that the activated sludge removes the organic material and to prevent clogging of the membrane surfaces with sludge. In addition, a cleaning unit is installed which supplies chemicals that chemically clean the membranes on a periodic basis.

Membrane Unit

Plant image

page top

Membrane modules The Compact MBR is provided with multiple membrane elements in an integrated membrane module in 2 or 3 stages in an aerobic tank. The wastewater is filtrated using suction filtration, and the filtered water becomes treated water as-is. Air is supplied from the air diffuser installed on the bottom of the membrane module to prevent sludge from adhering to the membrane surface. Thus, the system can perform stable treatment without getting clogged.

Membrane modules

Compact MBR lineup There is a wide range of treatment capacities: Standard type Compact MBR handling 250m, 500m, and 750m/d, as well as container-size models which can handle 50m or 100m/d.

Hitachi Compact MBR(Membrane Bioreactor) Characteristics and Benefits of Compact MBR

Aside from its obvious role in sewage treatment, the Compact MBR system can also be applied as a water recycling system at the types of facilities and locations outlined below. Treated water produced by the Compact MBR system can be used for car wash, toilet flushing, irrigation, landscape maintenance, and other uses. Main uses Sewage treatment plants Newly-developed sites Existing communities y Resort hotels
y y y y y

y y y

Hospitals Shopping malls Labor camp Emergency facilities, etc. Military barracks To meet customer water recycling needs, a higher level of water treatment quality can be achieved by combining the Compact MBR with the RO system. MBR treated water can be used for concrete curing, cooling tower makeup water, and a variety of other industrial water applications.

Click here for details about the combined Compact MBR + RO system Features and advantages of installing the system (In-house comparison) 1. Space-saving Retention times are short and installations are compact because the system runs at high MLSS* concentrations. * MLSS: mixed liquor suspended solids

Click here for a comparison with conventional systems

500m/d unit 2.High-quality treated water

With membrane pore sizes of 0.1m, a variety of impurities, including pathogens, E. coli, and parasites can be removed and the treated water can be used for a variety of applications. Moreover, a higher quality of treated water can be obtained by using the Compact MBR system in combination with the RO system.
y y

Click here for more information about the quality of Compact MBR system treated water Click here for information about the quality of Compact MBR + RO system treated water 3. Short lead times Since this system is a standardized unit-type, we can offer short lead times of 3-4 months. * * May differ according to conditions of use and contract contents

Click here for information about the MBR lineup

50m/d unit 4. Easy installation

Complicated site work is kept to a minimum due to factory preassembly of the unit. Also, the layout of the system can be flexibly adapted to limited installation spaces. 5. Energy savings The air that is used to clean the membrane surface is used efficiently and the blower air volume can be reduced because the membrane module has a maximum of 3 layers.

Compact MBR image 6. Reduce of sludge generation

Sludge disposal costs can be reduced because there is little excess sludge generated. 7. Extensive equipment lineup There is a wide range of remove capacity: Standard type Compact MBR handling 250m/d, 500m/d, and 750m/d, as well as container-size models which can handle 50m/d or 100m/d.
y

Click here for information about the MBR lineup

y page top

Features of membrane modules Membrane modules are assembled from membrane elements which are formed in our own factories and installed in stainless steel frames.

Membrane module

1. Flat membrane structure that prevents the entwining of fibrous screenings. 2. The membrane element is molded using plastic processing technology developed by Hitachi. 3. Coil form and viruses can be removed thanks to the use of PVDF membranes with pore sizes of 0.1m.

4. Membrane maintenance is easy and backflushing unnecessary (cleaning requirements vary according to water quality and operating conditions, but chemical cleaning should only need to be added a couple of times a year) 5. Ease of inspection and maintenance membrane modules to modularization