Projects

WaterQ delivers first 1,800 FlatQ membranes to retrofit membrane bioreactor Konzen, Germany

Dutch water technology firm WaterQ has delivered 1,800 FlatQ flat sheet membranes to Wasserverband Eifel-Rur for the retrofit of their membrane bioreactor at waste water treatment plant Konzen, Germany

The FlatQ membranes replaced Kubota plate membranes that were in use since 2006 when the membrane bioreactor was build.

​

German water authority Wasserverband Eifel-Rur switched to FlatQ membranes because of its best price/quality ratio and the expected operational energy efficiency.

Due to the improved effluent quality and realised energy saving Wasserverband Eifel-Rur decided to order a second batch of 3.600 FlatQs.

 

Smaller pores

One of the characteristics of the FlatQ is the asymmetric pore structure of 0.1 micron that is manufactured from PVDF which has a high chemical resistance.

The pores are relatively small but their density is higher. As a result less suction pressure is needed to push the clean water through the membrane. This makes the FlatQ membranes very energy efficient.

The different pore structure also allows a higher permeability, so more waste water can be handled.

 

Easy replaceable

WaterQ has designed its membranes in such a way that they easily retrofit the original suppliers, such as GE Water/Zenon, KMS Puron. And in the case of Kubota even in the same racks.

By lifting out the racks the retrofit of 1,800 membranes at MBR Konzen was completed in two days, simply by unplugging the permeate tube, replacing the membrane panels and reconnect the tube again.

 

Improved performance

MBR Konzen has a capacity of 9,700 population equivalent and can handle 5,900 m3 daily. The installation has eight aeration chambers equipped with a total of 28,800 double stacked flat sheet membranes.

The retrofit of all these membranes allows Wasserverband Eifel-Rur to significantly improve the performance of the installation without a costly rebuilding of the plant.

MBR Konzen is WaterQ’s first retrofit in Germany. Previous retrofits include membrane bioreactors in Italy, UK & Ireland, China and the Netherlands (industrial).