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Aegis MBR

Packaged wastewater treatment solution.

Aegis MBR Module

The Aegis MBR (Membrane bioreactor) module is a rapidly deployable, modular, and scalable wastewater treatment package plant developed by Ulmo Water. The Aegis module uses modern aeration and membrane filtration technology to deliver high quality effluent, packaged in a robust reactor that can withstand the harsh conditions of the African continent.

The modules uses a semipermeable membrane that filters out a high concentration of solids and pathogens. The Aegis is well suited for both domestic and industrial wastewater where there is a need for high quality consistent treated effluent. The membrane technology provides a high quality effluent that is suitable for special discharge, irrigation or as pre-treatment for multiple reuse applications.
The modules are designed, engineered, fabricated and tested in Cape Town prior to shipping. The modules are built using carbon steel, coated with a robust epoxy mastic coating that pro- vides exceptional resistance to harsh chemicals and is specially designed for industrial and maritime environments.

The design philosophy approach for the Aegis module is to minimize on-site construction and installation and optimize off-site fabrication, assembly, testing and commissioning. This approach provides our clients with an off-grid package wastewater treatment solution that is fully tested and rapidly deployable.

MBR Technology

Membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology is an advancement over the conventional activated sludge technology and is a biological process of suspended growth type. In principle, MBR is a combination of conventional biological treatment processes with membrane filtration to provide an advanced level of organic and suspended solids removal, and nutrient removal if required.

The membranes are submerged in a biological reactor, supplied with oxygen to maintain aerobic conditions. The membranes have porosities which can be considered between micro and ultrafiltration, and are selected based on treated effluent objectives.

MBR is well suited for treatment of both domestic and industrial wastewater waste where there is a need for high quality consistent treated effluent.

Semipermeable Membrane

Modular Design

The Aegis MBR modules are designed to fit inside a 40ft hi-cube shipping container, allowing for ease of transport to worldwide destinations. The module is specifically designed for easy and rapid deployment and minimal civil works on site.

Benefits of Aegis MBR

  • High quality effluent: The small pore size of the membrane means that the treated effluent is of very high clarity and significantly reduced pathogen concentration
  • Modular: The Aegis MBR is designed in modules which can be added to existing modules as treatment capacity needs increase. These modules are fabricated and tested off site allow- ing for rapid deployment.
  • Compact: MBR is an excellent option for facilities with space constraints, since it typically has a much smaller footprint than other systems. Primarily, it offers this benefit due to the higher Mixed liquor suspended solids concentration compared to conventional processes.
  • Less Sludge: MBR process results in lower sludge production as compared to the conven- tional biological processes.

Applications

The Aegis MBR reactor produces high-quality treated effluent that is free of pathogens and sol- ids and can be used for a variety of applications, including reuse for irrigation and process water, pre-treatment for potable reuse or discharge to sensitive water bodies.

General discharge

Irrigation

Pretreatment for reuse

Water Quality

The Aegis MBR module produces high-quality treated effluent by utilizing advanced aeration and membrane technology. The Aegis is well suited for wastewater containing a high concentration of soluble organics where a high quality treated effluent is required.

Water Quality SummaryRawTreated
COD (mg/L)80030
BOD/COD fraction0.8-
TKN (mg-N/L)40
FSA (mg-N/L)306
TP (mg/L)1510
TSS (mg/L)40025
Nitrate (mg-N/L)015
pH6-85.5 - 9.5
Min/Max Reactor T (°C)15 / 30

*The water quality provided in these tables are based on medium strength domestic wastewater quality. Higher organic loading, or different compositions, can be designed for based on the clients water quality and end treated water requirements.

Configurations

The Torrent MBBR module can be configured to best suit the nature of the wastewater chemistry. See the available configurations below: 

Config A: Anaerobic → Anoxic → Aerobic → MBR

Configuration A is well-suited for wastewaters where nutrient removal is required. The modules includes an anoxic and anaerobic zone. These zones remove fixed nitrogen to nitrogen gas (N2) through biological nitrification/denitrification and phosphorus removal is accomplished through incorporation into microbial biomass.

Config B: Aerobic → MBR

Configuration B is well suited for wastewater that requires biological and physical seperation process where nutrient removal is not required.

Technical Specifications

DescriptionAegis
20
Aegis
40
Aegis
60
Aegis
80
BOD Load* (kg/d)12345372
Daily flow* (kl/d)2570110150
Population Equivalenty (PPE)1704707401000
Full Load Current 400V (A)30405060
Daily Energy Usage (kWh)200310390470
Specific energy usage (kWh/kl)8.04.43.53.1
Number of Modules1 x 20ft1 x 40ft1 x 20ft
1 x 40ft
2 x 40ft

* Based on Torrent Configuration B: Anoxic, Aerobic & SST. Based on a COD load of 800mg/l.
Optional extra’s: lifting station, screening, effluent conditioning, polishing with sand/AFM filtration, sludge handling & processing.

Frequently asked questions

No, a MBR process does not typically generate foul odours. The process is designed to efficiently treat wastewater while minimizing production of foul-smelling gases through proper aeration, mixing and management of the treatment process. Odours are limited to the screening and lift station and can be mitigated with design measures.

The treated water from the Aegis MBR reactor is compliant with the South African Department of Water Affairs special limits standards and can be discharged into various water bodies, reused for irrigation, reused as process water for cleaning operations or used as pre-treatment for reuse system.

Yes, all wastewater plants produce waste sludge as part of a healthy biological nutrient removal system. The sludge produced from the Aegis reactor is stabilized, therefore it will produce minimal odours. The sludge can be dewatered and disposed of as solid waste or a low-grade soil filler. We can supply various sludge handling options including drying beds, sludge presses and drying bag systems. 

The package is engineered to fit into Hi-Cube 40ft shipping containers, ensuring ease of transportation and worldwide shipping capabilities. Factory built with all equipment installed and fully wet tested allowing for quick and easy integration.