Kubota Submerged Membrane Unit

(SMU) - General Information

A. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF KUBOTA MEMBRANE MODULES
The Kubota membrane module consists of two main components: the membrane
case and the diffuser case (both manufactured in 316 or 304 Stainless Steel and
offered with the option of pickling).

Permeate tubes

Membrane case
Manifold
Membrane cartridge

Diffuser case

Centipede diffuser

1. Membrane Cartridges. The Type 510

cartridge contains two Flat Sheet (FS) membrane
sheets (total surface area: 0.8 m2) ultrasonically welded
to each side of an ABS plate, with an inert felt spacer
between the membrane and plate. The cartridge
measures 1 m x 0.5 m and is 6 mm thick. The material
of the membrane sheet is chlorinated Polyethylene
(PE) supported by a very strong non-woven substrate.
The nominal pore size is 0.4 μm (Microfiltration range;
0.1 to 1 μm).

However, due to the formation of the dynamic layer

of protein and cellular material on the surface, the
effective pore size in operation falls within the
Ultrafiltration range (0.01 to 0.1 μm), sufficient to
eliminate most bacteria, viruses and colloidal matter.
Finally, cartridges are securely fitted to the membrane
case at a separation of 7 mm. This largely prevents
clogging of the surface from sludge and debris.

2. Permeate Tubes/Manifold. Polyurethane (PU) permeate tubes

collect permeate from a single point at the top of each cartridge, which then
flows into the common manifold. As each tube can be disconnected individually,
single cartridges can be removed for maintenance without the need to remove the
entire module. This gives a fully modular and flexible system.

3. Kubota Centipede® Diffuser. The diffuser is housed in the diffuser

case at the base of the module. The diffuser case ensures that air bubbles do not
1
KUBOTA MEMBRANE EUROPE Ltd., 8 Hanover Street, London W1S1YE, United Kingdom
Tel.: +44 (0) 2072902730 Fax: +44 (0) 2072902733 Website: www.kubota-mbr.com
 escape without first passing through the membrane cartridges.
The patented diffuser comprises a central pipe branching out to 20 smaller pipes
that have 4 mm holes drilled on the upper part. The main purpose of the coarse
bubble aeration is to provide physical fouling control through cross-flow of air
across the membrane surface (commonly termed ‘membrane scouring’) as well as
promote good mixing/circulation of mixed liquor within the membrane tank.

In addition to these two main functions, some oxygenation of the biomass is also
The main advantages of the
accomplished. Cleaning of the
Centipede diffuser compared diffuser occurs by opening a
to other designs are the lack valve connected via a manifold
of clean water consumption to both ends of the main pipe.
or the need to have elaborate The resulting suction draws
piping and control schemes.
sludge into the diffuser, thus
clearing any pipe clogging. At
the end of the cleaning cycle,
this mixture of air and sludge
is discharged back into the
membrane tank. This cycle is
carried out every 12 or 24 hours, with the permeate valve in the closed position
(no permeation). Finally, the air required is determined on the basis of 10 to 15 L
per minute per membrane cartridge.

Fine bubble aeration. In addition to the coarse bubble aeration delivered by

the Centipede® diffuser, a Fine Bubble Diffuser Aeration (FBDA) system will also be
required to supply the oxygen for the biological process. The air required for this
is determined based on satisfying the following 3 components:
a) The oxygen demand for BOD oxidation by aerobic bacteria;
b) The oxygen demand for Nitrogen oxidation; and
c) The oxygen demand for endogenous bacterial respiration
Depending on the design capacity of the plant and the organic/N loading of the
wastewater to be treated, the FBDA system may be omitted from the design. This
can be the case for low-medium organic/N and hydraulic loading applications.

B. KUBOTA MEMBRANE BIOREACTOR PROCESS PERFORMANCE

Kubota MBR plants can meet the following requirements and specifications:
 Certification by Japanese Ministry of Construction to the following standards:

Pollutant Influent (mg/l) Effluent (mg/l) Elimination ratio (%)

BOD 200 5 97.5

COD 100 10 90.0

TSS 250 5 98.0

T-N 50 10 80.0

T-P 5 1 80.0

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Tel.: +44 (0) 20 8741 5262 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8563 1616 Website: www.kubota-mbr.com
  Certification based on California State Water Recycling Criteria (‘Title 22’):

 Disinfected and free from virus (4-log reduction) & bacteria (6-log reduction)
 World Health Organisation (WHO) standards for Unlimited Irrigation
 UN International Maritime Organisation (IMO) bacteriological limits
 2006 Bathing Water Directive of the European Union (2006/7/EC)

C. LIFETIME OF KUBOTA MEMBRANE CARTRIDGES

The lifetime of our membranes will depend on wastewater quality and operational
conditions, with typical values in the 5-10 year range. We are the only membrane
manufacturer with a reference plant in continuous operation in Europe for 10
years - Porlock STW in Somerset, UK. As of April 2008, 230 panels (out of a
total of 3,600) have been replaced, corresponding to a failure rate of 6.4% after
10 years of continuous operation. Inspection of the 230 panels replaced found
that all of the damage leading to failure could have been prevented. Moreover, the
major cause was damage from grit and debris in the membrane tanks.

Such low failure rates are representative of the expected lifetime of Kubota
membranes, and this is one of our major strengths over our competitors.

D. INDICATIVE OPERATING COSTS AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

1. Pre-treatment (downstream of the MBR plant) Requirements
Adequate pre-treatment is of fundamental importance in the operation of MBR
plants. The presence of solid debris, hair and fibres inside the membrane tanks
must be avoided at all times as this can result in membrane cartridge damage and
reduced performance. To this end, a 3 mm 2-directional (‘perforated’) or 1 mm 1-
directional (‘bar’) fine screen must be specified. A properly designed, implemented
and maintained fine screening stage is the minimum pre-treatment requirement.
KUBOTA MEMBRANE EUROPE Ltd.,7c Suite, Elsinore House, 77 Fulham Palace Rd, London, UK 3
Tel.: +44 (0) 20 8741 5262 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8563 1616 Website: www.kubota-mbr.com
 In addition, removal of FOG (Fats, Oils and Grease) and grit or sand may also be
specified by the plant designer, depending on the nature of the raw wastewater.

2. Method of Routine Membrane Cartridge Chemical Cleaning

Another major advantage of the Kubota system is the
ability to carry out in-situ chemical cleaning of the
cartridges, which is termed CIP (Clean-In-Place). There
is no need for removing the membrane module(s) from
the tank or for filling the entire volume of the tank
with expensive chemical solution. Chemical cleaning is
required only twice per year, and involves pouring 3
litres of dilute (0.5% by weight) Sodium Hypochlorite
(NaOCl) solution into each cartridge.

Every module should have its own chemical injection port. The cartridges are
filled by gravity (maximum head: 1 m), with no permeation. Once filled, the
cartridges are left to soak in the chemical solution for 2 hours. Following this
cycle, the cartridges recover permeability up to initial flux.

In the case of fouling due to inorganic matter, Oxalic acid is used instead. Citric
acid or Hydrochloric acid can also be used when the fouling is Calcium-related.

3. Option of 2 Modes of Membrane Filtration (Gravity/Suction)

Basic definitions:
 The Trans-Membrane Pressure (TMP) is defined as the total head loss
through the membrane and biofilm and can be mathematically expressed as:
TMP = (P1 - P2) - Pf
, where: P1 is the inlet hydrostatic head (no filtration); P2 is the gauge outlet
pressure during filtration; and Pf is the head loss from friction and pipe fittings.

 The Flux (J) is defined as the volumetric flow per unit membrane area and has
SI units of (m3/d)/m2 or m/d (units of L/m3/h or LMH are also often used).
Flux is proportional to TMP and inversely proportional to the permeated water
viscosity (µ) and sum of all filtration resistances (R):
J = TMP / (µ * R)

Gravity filtration. In this mode, a small hydrostatic head (minimum of 0.5 m)

above the membrane module is sufficient to drive the filtration process. The main
advantage is a reduction in capital and operating costs (since no pumps or
expensive constant-flow valves are required). Plant maintenance is also easier, and
permeate quality and flowrate can be checked separately in each module. The
disadvantage is that plant operability will in this case depend on the hydraulic
profile as well as the degree of membrane fouling.

Suction filtration. This mode involves the use of suction pumps on the
permeate side and is suitable in retrofitting applications or when the hydrostatic
head is insufficient to drive filtration. In addition to running continuously, the
pumps can also be operated only during start-up to give a ‘siphon’ effect.
KUBOTA MEMBRANE EUROPE Ltd.,7c Suite, Elsinore House, 77 Fulham Palace Rd, London, UK 4
Tel.: +44 (0) 20 8741 5262 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8563 1616 Website: www.kubota-mbr.com
 The following diagram illustrates a typical configuration for a Kubota MBR plant
with suction filtration, including the piping required for chemical cleaning.

Cleaning valve Chemical solution injection port

From blower

Pressure gauge

to Permeate tank

Flow meter

Membrane case Ball valve

Diffuser case
Pump
Submerged
membrane unit

Circulation pump

Membrane
separation tank Constant flow valve

Equipment room

4. Simple Installation and Maintenance

Our membrane modules are simple to install and maintain using the extra parts
shown below. These include a Hand hook for removing individual cartridges and
a Guiderail and Lifting tool for easy SMU removal without causing damage or the
need to drain the tank.

KUBOTA MEMBRANE EUROPE Ltd.,7c Suite, Elsinore House, 77 Fulham Palace Rd, London, UK 5
Tel.: +44 (0) 20 8741 5262 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8563 1616 Website: www.kubota-mbr.com
 E. KUBOTA REFERENCE PLANTS IN EUROPE & ACROSS THE WORLD
We have the largest number of MBR installations of any membrane manufacturer,
with more than 2,500 globally. In Europe, there are a total of 274 Kubota MBR
plants (148 treating industrial wastewater) located in 17 countries. In terms of
number of membrane cartridges and total installed capacity, this represents
700,000 and 300,000 m3/d, respectively. In addition to plants handling municipal
or domestic wastewater, we have by far the largest number of industrial MBR
plants in Europe. These handle the full spectrum of industrial effluents:

Industries with Kubota MBR reference plants

Food industry
Pulp and Paper
Textile industry
Plastics industry
Laundries
Metal industry & electroplating
Automotive production
Pharmaceutical industry
Petrochemical industry
Power generation
Mining industry
Marine industry
Brewery industry
Landfill leachate

Contact us today to find out more about Kubota and our

leading membrane technology.

Diego Ayala
Engineer M.Eng. M.Sc.
d.ayala@kubotalon.co.uk
Kubota Membrane Europe Ltd.
7c Suite, Elsinore House
77 Fulham Palace Road
London W6 8JA

T: +44 (0) 20 8741 5262

F: +44 (0) 20 8563 1616

KUBOTA MEMBRANE EUROPE Ltd.,7c Suite, Elsinore House, 77 Fulham Palace Rd, London, UK 6
Tel.: +44 (0) 20 8741 5262 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8563 1616 Website: www.kubota-mbr.com