Submerged Flat Sheet Membrane Application in STP Plants

Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) play a crucial role in maintaining clean and sustainable urban environments by treating wastewater before it is discharged into water bodies. Submerged Flat Sheet Membrane (SFSM) technology has emerged as an efficient and effective solution for wastewater treatment in STP plants. This article explores the application of SFSM technology in STP plants, highlighting its benefits, working principle, and contributions to sustainable water management.

1. The Importance of Wastewater Treatment in STP Plants:

STP plants are essential for maintaining public health and environmental sustainability. They treat domestic and industrial wastewater, removing contaminants and pollutants to ensure the safe disposal or reuse of treated water. Effective wastewater treatment is crucial in preventing water pollution, protecting aquatic ecosystems, and promoting a sustainable water cycle.

2. Introduction to Submerged Flat Sheet Membrane Technology:

Submerged Flat Sheet Membrane (SFSM) technology is an advanced filtration process used in STP plants. It involves the use of flat sheet membranes with microscopic pores submerged in wastewater. These membranes act as a physical barrier, allowing water molecules to pass through while retaining suspended solids, bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants. SFSM technology offers numerous advantages over conventional treatment methods.

3. Benefits of Submerged Flat Sheet Membrane Technology in STP Plants:

a) Superior Filtration Performance: SFSM technology provides exceptional filtration efficiency, effectively removing suspended solids, bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants from wastewater. The small pore size of the membranes ensures the production of high-quality treated water that meets stringent water quality standards.

b) Compact Design and Space Efficiency: SFSM modules have a compact design, making them suitable for installation in STP plants with limited space. The submerged configuration allows for efficient utilization of available space, enabling the treatment of large volumes of wastewater in a smaller footprint.

c) Enhanced Process Reliability: SFSM technology offers continuous filtration, ensuring a consistent supply of treated water. The membranes’ ability to withstand high solids concentration and fouling minimizes downtime for maintenance, resulting in reliable and uninterrupted operation of STP plants.

d) Reduced Chemical Usage: SFSM technology reduces the need for chemical additives in the treatment process. The membranes’ high filtration efficiency eliminates the need for coagulants or flocculants, reducing operational costs and minimizing the environmental impact associated with chemical usage.

e) Energy Efficiency: SFSM technology operates at lower pressures compared to other filtration methods, resulting in reduced energy consumption. This enhances the energy efficiency of STP plants, contributing to sustainable water management practices and reducing operational costs.

f) Reuse of Treated Water: The high-quality treated water produced by SFSM technology can be reused for various non-potable applications, such as irrigation, industrial processes, or toilet flushing. This reduces the demand for freshwater resources and promotes the concept of a circular economy in water management.

4. Working Principle of Submerged Flat Sheet Membrane Technology:

SFSM technology operates on the principle of physical separation through membrane filtration. In STP plants, wastewater is directed to the SFSM modules, where it comes into contact with the submerged flat sheet membranes. The membranes act as a barrier, allowing water molecules to pass through while retaining suspended solids, bacteria, and other contaminants. The filtered water, known as permeate, is collected and further treated or discharged. The retained solids, known as concentrate or sludge, are periodically removed from the membranes to maintain their efficiency.

5. Applications of Submerged Flat Sheet Membrane Technology in STP Plants:

a) Primary Treatment: SFSM technology can be used in the primary treatment phase of wastewater treatment, where it effectively removes suspended solids and large particles from raw sewage. This reduces the load on downstream processes and enhances the overall treatment efficiency.

b) Secondary Treatment: SFSM technology is commonly employed in the secondary treatment phase, where it plays a vital role in removing dissolved organic matter, bacteria, and other contaminants. The high-quality treated water produced by SFSM modules can be further polished or discharged as per regulatory requirements.

c) Tertiary Treatment: SFSM technology is also utilized in the tertiary treatment phase, where it provides an additional level of treatment to meet stringent water quality standards. This ensures the production of high-quality treated water suitable for various reuse applications or environmentally sensitive areas.

6. Contribution to Sustainable Water Management:

The application of SFSM technology in STP plants aligns with the principles of sustainable water management:

a) Water Conservation: SFSM technology enables the efficient treatment and reuse of wastewater, reducing the demand for freshwater resources. This promotes water conservation and addresses water scarcity concerns.

b) Environmental Protection: SFSM technology removes contaminants and pollutants from wastewater, preventing their discharge into water bodies and protecting aquatic ecosystems. This contributes to the preservation of biodiversity and the overall health of the environment.

c) Energy Efficiency: The low-pressure operation of SFSM technology reduces energy consumption, making STP plants more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. This helps minimize carbon emissions and promotes sustainable energy practices.

d) Nutrient Recovery: SFSM technology allows for the recovery of nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, from wastewater. These nutrients can be further processed and reused as fertilizers, reducing the reliance on chemical fertilizers and closing the nutrient loop.

Submerged Flat Sheet Membrane (SFSM) technology offers significant benefits in wastewater treatment within STP plants. Its superior filtration performance, compact design, reliability, reduced chemical usage, energy efficiency, and potential for water reuse contribute to sustainable water management practices. By adopting SFSM technology, STP plants can enhance water quality, protect the environment, conserve water resources, and promote a circular economy in water management. As the demand for effective and sustainable wastewater treatment continues to grow, the application of SFSM technology in STP plants will play an increasingly important role in achieving clean and sustainable urban environments.

APPLICATION

MBR is a process that combines membrane filtration with biological treatment. As PEIER MBR assisting in the separation of algae, bacteria, and suspended particles from wastewater, it finds various applications in the Wastewater Treatment industry such as medicine, mining, electronics, chemical sections and washing, large-scale municipal wastewater reuse projects and other industries as well.

MBR System and products are including

About Jiangsu Peier membrane

Jiangsu Peier membrane corp.,Ltd(Stock Code: 836744) was established in 2007 with a registered capital of 48 million Yuan, referred to as “Peier membrane industry”.

It is a high-tech enterprise focusing on the R&D, production, manufacturing and service of MBR flat sheet membrane products. Its Peier Product category as below:

Peier membrane always adheres to R&D and cooperation with well-known universities at home and abroad, such as Tsinghua University, Sydney University, Nanjing University of technology, Changzhou University and Jiangnan University.

It is the editor in chief of the national industry standard HY/T252-2018 “submerged flat membrane element for water treatment”.

At present, it has 6 invention patents, 46 new utility patents, 1 appearance patent and 4 software works.  Contact us to learn more about MBR System services.