The AnMBR system for urban wastewater treatment, a safe bet for the environment
NewsAqualia starts up the first urban wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) based in the treatment system "anaerobic membrane bioreactor" (AnMBR) in Santa Rosa de Lima, Tortosa (Tarragona)
Through the innovation project ERANET BESTF2 BIOWAMET, and as a concessionaire of the service of exploitation, conservation and maintenance of the sewage network of the Baix Ebre region, Aqualia starts up the first urban wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) based in the treatment system "anaerobic membrane bioreactor" (AnMBR) in Santa Rosa de Lima, Tortosa (Tarragona). This technology is shared with the UMBRELLA prototype (activity C1) of the LIFE METHAMORPHOSIS project, located at the waste treatment plant Ecoparc 1, in Montcada i Reixac (Barcelona).
This novel treatment provides important advantages for environmental sustainability, since the wastewater that reaches the WWTP is considered a raw material, from which it is possible to obtain biogas that, due to its methane content, is reusable as an energy source. Biogas can be transformed into heat and electricity or into biofuel through a refining process. The economic feasibility and efficiency of the technology are clearly superior to conventional activated sludge technology, since, on the one hand, it is not necessary to aerate to oxidize organic matter and, on the other hand, the amount of generated sludge (which has to be further managed) is significantly lower. Additionally, this sludge is already stabilized.
Finally, after passing through the ultrafiltration membrane, technically disinfected water is obtained. Therefore, this water is suitable for irrigating agricultural areas or green areas for its high content in fertilizers, or as water for industrial reuse in the facility itself. The produced gas is stored in a gasometer and is used to generate the required mixing in the membrane tank, by means of a biogas compressor.
It is one of the numerous R + D + i projects developed by the company, whose objective is the commitment to innovation for the improvement of water quality in the territories where it provides services.
This novel treatment provides important advantages for environmental sustainability, since the wastewater that reaches the WWTP is considered a raw material, from which it is possible to obtain biogas that, due to its methane content, is reusable as an energy source. Biogas can be transformed into heat and electricity or into biofuel through a refining process. The economic feasibility and efficiency of the technology are clearly superior to conventional activated sludge technology, since, on the one hand, it is not necessary to aerate to oxidize organic matter and, on the other hand, the amount of generated sludge (which has to be further managed) is significantly lower. Additionally, this sludge is already stabilized.
Finally, after passing through the ultrafiltration membrane, technically disinfected water is obtained. Therefore, this water is suitable for irrigating agricultural areas or green areas for its high content in fertilizers, or as water for industrial reuse in the facility itself. The produced gas is stored in a gasometer and is used to generate the required mixing in the membrane tank, by means of a biogas compressor.
It is one of the numerous R + D + i projects developed by the company, whose objective is the commitment to innovation for the improvement of water quality in the territories where it provides services.
