Novel Ceramic Membrane Bioreactor for Low Flow Systems

Improved low-flow (50,000 gallons per day) sanitary wastewater treatment systems are needed. CeraMem Corporation's proposed approach includes a membrane bioreactor (MBR) using fully proven biological processes for biological oxygen demand oxidation and (optionally) for nutrient removal (i.e., denitrification and phosphorus removal). The technology has as a key inventive element—a novel, compact, and low-cost ceramic membrane module. The technology will be embodied in a package unit suitable for over-the-road transport to a sanitary wastewater treatment site. The system will have acceptable cost, produce a treated effluent of very high quality, be tolerant of upsets, be amenable to unattended operation, and be suitable for operation and maintenance by unskilled personnel. This Phase I research project will consist of five tasks. CeraMem Corporation will fabricate and test ceramic membranes and a prototype MBR system (500 gpd). A standardized 50,000-gpd MBR system will be designed, and capital and operating costs will be estimated. A Phase II project could include scale-up of membrane modules to a 19 m2 size and field demonstration of the MBR technology. Commercial applications would include municipal wastewater treatment for communities with populations in the 1,000-500,000 range, ships, resorts, military installations, and commercial and residential developments without sewer connections or suitable drainage fields.