Membrane technology
WEC Projects designs, manufactures and supplies a comprehensive range of packaged treatment systems utilising membrane technology.
Reverse Osmosis (RO)
Osmosis is a naturally occurring process where a solvent moves from an area of low solute concentration, through a membrane, to an area of high solute concentration. When external pressure is applied to reverse this process, reverse osmosis occurs.
Reverse osmosis in the water treatment industry involves the application of membranes to remove impurities in water, specifically unwanted ions. Feeding water through a reverse osmosis system creates two main streams. The first is purified water or product and the second is reject or waste concentrate.
Ultra-filtration (UF)
Ultra-filtration systems utilise semi-permeable membranes to remove impurities suspended in the influent stream. In some cases, dissolved impurities are removed, depending on their molecular weight. Ultra-filtration is not dissimilar to micro-filtration and conventional filtration systems where the removal of suspended solids is the main objective, except in terms of the size of the molecules rejected.
Some of the ultra-filtration systems applications WEC Projects supplies
Submerged membrane bio-reactors (MBR)
Membrane bio-reactors merge two technologies into a single system. The traditional activated sludge process is combined with an ultra-filtration system. As is the case in a conventional system, air is supplied to the biological reactor, creating an ideal environment for growth and development of micro-organisms. These organisms utilise the organic matter present in the influent for heir sustained growth and reproduction, and thereby reduce the organic load of the wastewater. We ‘insert’ a submerged ultra-filtration membrane into the reactor, which replaces the conventional clarifier as the mechanism that removes suspended solids. There are a few important advantages resulting from the incorporation of these membranes.
Important advantages resulting from the incorporation of these membranes.
A membrane bio-reactor treatment plant can operate at a higher mixed liquor concentration, and this, together with the fact that a clarifier is no longer required, improves the plant’s footprint.
Key features
Talk to an expert
Get in touch with us today to learn how to transform your current or next project into a success.
