Membrane filtration (reverse osmosis)

Reverse osmosis is a cross-flow filtration methods. In membrane filtration, the term „cross-flow filtration”
means filtration driven by pressure: untreated water flows across an active layer (membrane) at high velocity,
and the filtrate flow passes through the membrane in vertical direction. Depending on the cut-off of the
membrane, distinction is made between reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, ultra- and microfiltration. These
processes utilise the individual diffusion capacities of the components of a substance mixture. Normally the
component with a lower molecular weight, e.g. water, passes through the active layer of the membrane first.
Membrane separation is a physical process, i.e. the components to be separated undergo neither thermal nor
chemical or biological changes. This means that, at least in principle, the components of the mixture may be
recovered.
By membrane filtration the liquid is forced through a membrane made of organic polymers or ceramic
material. Dissolved substances and microorganisms are removed, if the membrane is sufficiently finely
meshed.Membrane filtration generates a residue, which is a concentration of the filtered substances. The
residue must be disposed of or returned to the previous purification step.
By reverse osmosis about 2/3 of the water will end in the purified water stream(permeate) and 1/3 will remain
as a concentrate, which shall be disposed of. Higher proportion of pure water may be achieved by a more
advanced design of the membrane-plant. However, scaling (gypsum and CaCO3) of the membrane should be
prevented either by dosing anti-scaling chemicals or by softening of the water in a softening ion-exchanger.
The reverse osmosis can be process with or without biological pretreatment has, and it found to be most
effective in the treatment of this special waste water. Biological pretreatment of raw leachate enhances the
effectiveness of the reverse osmosis process. The task of biological pretreatment is the removal of
biodegradable compounds, especially if rather highly concentrated leachate occurs. The task of the reverse
osmosis process is the rejection of all compounds or, as a 2nd treatment stage, the rejection of recalcitrant
pollutants and inorganic salts.
Although, reverse osmosis technology has superior removal for both dissolved organic and inorganic
substances, the high level of suspended solids, colloids, dissolved organic and inorganic substances, the high
level of suspended solids, colloids, dissolved organic matters, metal oxides, bacteria and their metabolites in
landfill leachate can inevitable lead to the fouling of membrane after certain period of operation. Membrane
fouling can even be cause the decline of permeate flux and increase of membrane pressure. Also, when salts
concentration exceed their solubility (scaling) on the reverse osmosis feed side, precipitation of salts on the
reverse osmosis membrane surface happens, which leads to the decline of permeate flux, the increase of
trans-membrane pressure and demands frequent chemical membrane cleaning. Maintenance can make the
method expensive.

Biological treatment
Biological treatment is a conventional wastewater treatment technology for removal of organic matter. By
biological treatment, microorganisms utilise oxygen from atmospheric air for degradation of organic matter.
Air is supplied through membrane diffusers by means of mechanical blowers. Microorganisms (sludge) and
treated leachate are separated by sedimentation.

The biological processes will continuously produce waste sludge. This sludge shall be removed and disposed of
on an active landfill site. In order to facilitate the biological processes phosphorus shall be added.
Simultaneous with the biological degradation of organic matter organic nitrogen will be converted to
ammonia. The biological process must be controlled to prevent nitrification of ammonia to nitrate, as the
following ammonia stripping step will not reduce nitrate levels.

The Membrane Bioreactor (MBR)

During the last decades the basic activated sludge (BAS) process has been modified to address the many
different types and strengths of wastewater, increase energy efficiency, reduce treatment times, improve
resilience to shock loads, and pollutant removal effectiveness. Variations of the BAS process are Sequencing
Batch Reactor (SBR), or powdered activated carbon treatment (PACT).  Because landfill leachate is somewhat
similar in chemical structure to municipal wastewater, with typically higher chemical constituent
concentrations, the landfill sector has successfully borrowed municipal treatment technology.  An
improvement to the BAS process that started showing up at landfills about 15 to 20 years ago is known as the
Membrane Bio-Reactor (MBR).

Figure 1. Typical MBR Plant packet

The MBR took advantage of advances in micro-manufacturing capability in perfecting synthetic membrane
filtration fabric.  The membrane, when incorporated in the treatment process, eliminates the need for a
clarifier. The membrane works by separating insoluble solids from the water.  The advantages of the
membrane filtration include;
 Higher quality and consistent effluent
 Reuse possibility
 Eliminates the requirement and cost of chemicals
 Considerably reduces space needs
 Reduces the cost of watery sludge storage and dewatering
 Modular systems – expandable
Some disadvantages of the MBR can include:
 Membranes subject to fouling
 High capital and operating costs
 Cleaning chemicals needed
 Fine screening required
 More complex operations
MBR plants are a more efficient and more effective treatment of higher strength leachates.  Many vendors are
offering modular systems that fit well with the leachate production and growth typical at landfills.

Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR)

SBR technology is a conventional process for removing nutrients form wastewater. This configuration has a
higher flexibility and controllability, allowing more rapid adjustment to changing influent characteristic. It has
lower investment and recurrent cost is necessary because secondary settling tanks and sludge return systems
are not required. All the SBR processes are conducted in a single reactor following a sequence of fill, reaction,
settling and draw phase.
 Figure 2. SBR operation for one cycle

The cycle configuration depends on the wastewater characteristic and legal requirements. The fill
phase my be static, mixed or aerated, depending on treatment objectives.
Main advantages of SBR process are:

 Simple construction,
 Plant can fit into almost any shape,
 Flow through plants requires regular shaped sites,
 Fewer channels and pipe work,
 Easily scaleable
 Can be adapted to both nitrification and denitrification

Main disadvantages of SBR process are:

 A higher level of sophistication is required (compared to conventional systems)

 Higher level of preservation (compared to conventional systems) associated with more sophisticated
controls, automated switches, and automated valves
 Potential of discharging floating or settled sludge during the DRAW or decant phase with some SBR
configurations
 Potential requirement for equalization after the SBR, depending on the downstream processes
 Batch feeding from storage or bio-selectors required to control bulking