Membrane Bioreactor Technology Looks Set to Revolutionise Numerous Applications in Municipal and Industrial Facilities
Membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology offers an exciting future for wastewater treatment. A technology that has been in commercial use for little over 10 years is finally beginning to show some of the initial market promise and is attracting the attention of municipal and industrial facilities in search of effective wastewater recycling processes. This technology’s ability to comply with strict effluent requirements, to be easily retrofitted, and to occupy far less space than traditional systems emphasise its growing importance to such facilities.
Customer uptake of membrane bioreactors has been slow. Many potential operators were deterred by perceived drawbacks of this technology such as its complex and small-scale nature, high costs and operator skill requirements, among others.
As Frost & Sullivan (http://www.frost.com) Industry Analyst Matthew Barker says: "Perhaps the biggest challenge to companies active in the market is to persuade decision makers of the capabilities of membrane bioreactors and the benefits they will undoubtedly bring to the customer."
Companies looking to succeed in this market must strive to understand the needs of each industrial end user, the workings of the particular industrial sector, as well as the demands that the end users’ effluents will place on the equipment. Furthermore, building a close working relationship with the customer by offering guarantees on membrane lifespans or service and maintenance contracts is emerging as a key competitive factor.
Zenon and Kubota stand out as the most important and influential participants. Indeed, the main technologies in this market are largely based around Kubota's submerged flat sheet technology and Zenon's hollow fibre configuration, although other companies such as Norit X-flow and Wehrle Werk now offer their own proprietary membranes for use in the bioreactors.
The possible applications of this technology are numerous, and can be found in municipal facilities as well as industrial facilities that are interested in an effective recycling technology. Recent industrial plants include dairy plants, food processing plants, pharmaceutical applications and marine based plants for both offshore rig and sea craft applications.
The Zenon MBR process - also known as ZenoGem - uses Zenon's ZeeWeed membrane, a hollow fiber, low-pressure microfiltration membrane. This membrane effectively removes biodegradable material in the wastewater and acts in tandem with the ZenoGem technology to simplify operations at the treatment plant apart from significantly reducing space requirements.
Kubota’s unique flat sheet membrane process was first developed in the late 1980s in Japan as a long-term environmentally sensitive solution to wastewater treatments. With a reference list of over 400 plants treating domestic and industrial wastewater, this technology is widely regarded as an industrial quality benchmark, which consistently meets and refines the stringent standards required in the treatment of wastewater.
"It appears that Zenon is the most 'complete' company active in the market, acting as a membrane supplier, original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and turnkey plant supplier. This helps explain the company's dominant position in the market. Suppliers such as Kubota and Norit X-Flow also find themselves in the position of being a standard requirement in specifying the membrane component of the system," notes Mr. Barker.
The European municipal and industrial wastewater markets are slated to be important sources of demand for membrane bioreactors. Strict European regulations such as the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWT), which has a 2005 deadline, are expected to spur continued investment in wastewater treatment works by small and mid-sized municipalities.
Once municipalities have met the deadline, further growth will arise mainly from the replacement and upgrading of old equipment, and is also likely to be small compared to growth in the industrial wastewater market.
"Membrane bioreactors will achieve good growth in demand from the industrial wastewater sector in coming years. The challenges of removing contamination from wastewater with maximum reliability and efficiency by using wastewater treatment processes, plants and systems are growing, offering good opportunities to companies with new and advanced technologies," states Mr. Barker.
Among other applications, landfill leachate is especially promising, with reference plants in Germany, France and Holland leading the way. Anticipated regulations along with emerging and existing environmental policies is spurring the maritime industry to strongly consider MBR technology as a way of achieving zero untreated liquid discharge.
Although currently at the development to growth stage of its lifecycle, the European membrane bioreactor market affords considerable opportunities to existing as well as new participants. Growing acceptance of MBRs, escalating interest in water re-use and recycling technology and increased demand for advanced wastewater treatment solutions and systems assure them of a bright future.
Publication Date: July 2003
Report Code: B208
Price: EUR 5,500
For more information contact:
Kristina Menzefricke, Public Relations Department
Tel. +44 (0) 20 7343 8376 or Fax. +44 (0) 20 7343 8380
(kristina.menzefricke@frost.com)
