Process Control Strategies for Dealing with Operational Problems in MBR Plants

Immersed membrane bioreactors (MBRs) mark a new generation of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) that uses membranes submerged in biological reactors for solids separation. MBRs provide exceptional treatment of wastewater and offer resilient operation under varying flows and loading. While they operate similarly to conventional activated sludge plants, MBRs do have unique performance problems that traditional operational remedies do not easily solve. This paper presents three case studies (the Thunder Valley Casino, Cache Creek Casino Resort, and Carneros Inn) of such operational problems, all encountered and resolved by operators with HydroScience Operations, a consulting and contract operations firm with offices in Stockton and Sacramento, Calif.