Membrane Bioreactors

Membrane bioreactors, or MBR, is a popular choice for wastewater treatment
facilities because of a smaller footprint and higher-quality effluent.

What is a Membrane Bioreactor (MBR)?

The Membrane Bioreactor process uses additional filtration to produce a higher-quality effluent and is a variation of the activated sludge process. Common in medium- to large-scale plants, the MBR features an ultrafine membrane filter installed at the discharge end of a standard aeration basin.

Pumps installed on the membrane filters create a slight vacuum and pull the effluent through the membrane. The ultrafine holes in the membrane do not allow the biological microbes to pass through the membrane, keeping the microbes in the aeration basin. The membrane becomes clogged or fouled in this process and requires more frequent cleaning.

Types of membrane bioreactors

There are two types of membrane bioreactor configurations:internal/submerged and external/side-stream.

In the internal MBR, the membranes are located within the biological reactor; this is the most popular configuration, as it uses a lower amount of energy and has great efficiency.
In the external MBR, membranes are external to the biological reactor. These are typically employed in applications that are smaller scale but higher strength.

membrane bioreactor wastewater treatment

Aeration technologies for Membrane Bioreactors

Atlas Copco offers seven different blower and aeration technologies for wastewater and industrial applications. We fit the absolute best technology to you – no favoritism involved. Having a complete range means that the technology we select for you will be the most efficient product for your application over the cost of its lifetime, when you factor the cost of purchase, electricity usage, and service (downtime) costs. What’s more? We have the calculators to show you the complete payback analysis before you even part with one dollar.

Atlas Copco innovates in all aspects of compressed air and gas production. Our promise to you is we do more. What does that mean? Simply, we go further and deeper in every aspect of our offering to you and that promise extends way beyond just products. With a presence across the entire United States, and over 350 technicians on the road every day, Atlas Copco specializes in finding ways to make your wastewater and industrial processes more efficient.

Additional Wastewater Treatment Applications

Activated Sludge Process

Utilized in medium- to large-scale industrial plants, the activated sludge process separates the flocculants, or suspended solids, from the wastewater through sedimentation.

Diffused Aeration

In diffused aeration, aeration blowers pump compressed air through and released below the wastewater’s surface to make sure that bacteria receive a continual supply of air.

Lagoon Aeration

A series of shallow earthen basins (lagoons) act as the aeration basins and holding tanks – it’s in this treatment pond that biological oxidation of wastewaters occur.

Filter Backwash

Filter backwash form of preventative maintenance where water is pumped backwards through to filter in order to prevent the filter media from becoming too dirty – or even unusable.

Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR)

Sequencing batch reactors (SBR) are a version of activated sludge treatment where the treatment occurs in the reactor and clarifiers are not required.

Thumbmail_ZS in WWT_customer testimonial

Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor

Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor is a much more compact method of wastewater treatment that can be scaled to fit any size plant, and is a version of the traditional activated sludge system.

Port Washington WWTP - exterior shot of facility.

Anaerobic Digestion

Anaerobic digestion is used to treat the sludge created by the wastewater treatment process, as well as other biological waste.

Membrane Bioreactors