Facing limited space and strict water directives, Koch Membrane Systems (KMS) upgraded the Woolston Wastewater Treatment Works near Southampton, England — providing increased production capacity without expanding the plant’s footprint.
KMS, in cooperation with 4Delivery, replaced the Woolston facility’s existing conventional activated sludge system with the PULSION® MBR ultrafiltration membrane — dramatically improving effluent quality by increasing nutrient removal and achieving nearly 100 percent bacteria and solids removal. As an added benefit, the plant’s long-standing odor control problem was eliminated with the new system.
“Membrane bioreactor technology is innovative, because it uses ultrafiltration and biological treatment,” said Jack Noble, general manager water and wastewater EMEA at KMS. “PULSION MBR technology continues to be at the forefront of this field. In addition to improved effluent quality and increased capacity, the technology significantly reduces operating and life-cycle costs.”
As the United Kingdom’s largest MBR, the system is designed to treat wastewater at an average flow of 19,000 cubic meters per day (5 MGD), with a maximum daily capacity of 42,000 cubic meters (11 MGD).
Additionally, the plant features eight filtration trains comprised of five PULSION membrane modules each. With more than 76,000 m2 of membrane area, the system produces permeate meeting strict EU Bathing Water directives.
KMS installs the UK’s largest membrane bioreactor system
About the entity
Membranes are changing the world. It may sound like a bold statement, but look around; As manufacturers are held to stricter standards for product quality, and water scarcity increases globally, filtration is more important than ever.
Woolston Wastewater Treatment Plant. Photograph by Southern Water.
