Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
39.2 Ultrafiltration
Many iltration technologies are both sustainable and energy eficient in removing sus-
pended solids, turbidity, viruses, and pathogens from water. UF is a pressure-driven bar-
rier to suspended solids, bacteria, viruses, endotoxins, and other pathogens, to produce
water with very high purity and low silt density. It serves as a pretreatment for surface
water, sea water, and biologically treated municipal efluent before RO and other mem-
brane systems. GE's UF membranes are supplied with nominal pores size in the range of
20-40 nm and achieve >6-log (99.9999%) removal of
Cryptosporidium
and
Giardia lamblia
.
UF is also used in industry to separate suspended solids from solution. Industrial appli-
cations include power generation, food and beverage processing, pharmaceutical produc-
tion, biotechnology, and semiconductor manufacturing (Figure 39.2).
39.2.1 Technology LEAP: GE's ZeeWeed Membrane Bioreactor
As the global membrane bioreactor (MBR) leader, with >5,000,000 m
3
d (1.32 bgd) of
ZeeWeed capacity, GE's MBR systems continue to combine proven UF technology with
biological treatment for municipal, commercial, and industrial wastewater treatment and
water reuse applications. Building on more than two decades of ZeeWeed MBR product
innovation, the company recently introduced LEAPmbr to address our customers' key
wastewater treatment challenges, and provide the low-energy and advanced performance
solution demanded by the global wastewater treatment and reuse market—dramatically
lowering energy costs, increasing productivity, and offering a lexible design that can it
within a smaller footprint than conventional MBR technology.
Increased surface area
ZeeWeed module
Simplified aeration piping
No air cycling valves
Optimized tank design
Increased ZeeWeed
productivity
Lower energy LEAPmbr
aeration technology
Reduced blower size
FIGURE 39.2
(See color insert.)
Building on 25 years of GE's MBR experience, LEAPmbr delivers the most advanced MBR
wastewater treatment solution to date, addressing pressing water quality and operational cost issues faced by
owners of municipal, industrial, and residential water/wastewater treatment facilities worldwide. The technol-
ogy dramatically lowers energy costs, increases productivity, and offers lexible designs that can it within a
smaller footprint than conventional MBR technology.
