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MABR Wastewater Treatment

Learn more about Fluence's best-in-class MABR solutions
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Fluence's revolutionary membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) technology features highly efficient biological nutrient removal

Backed by years of research and more than 200 commercial projects, MABR is the wastewater technology of the 2020s. Reaching new treatment efficiency records in small- to medium-sized wastewater projects, the MABR product family provides a complete solution range for both new and upgrade projects.

Unique Biological Process

Activated sludge treatment has long been used for aerobic wastewater treatment, but its aeration stage is particularly energy-intensive, and as a result, expensive.

Fluence's self-respiring membrane aerated biofilm reactors (MABRs) provide an energy-efficient alternative that provides a very high quality effluent. MABR technology is based on passive aeration, that is, the diffusion of oxygen through membranes.

During the process, oxygen is constantly supplied to the fixed nitrifying biofilm that develops on the wastewater side of the membrane while denitrification occurs in the anoxic bulk liquid. The unique MABR process provides highly efficient biological nutrient removal, resulting in operational savings and minimal footprint requirements that make decentralized treatment more feasible.

MABR Simultaneous Nitrification-Denitrification

A biofilm that forms on the spirally wound membrane supports simultaneous nitrification-denitrification (SND) for high nutrient removal.

Our MABR Solutions

Wastewater Treatment for Every Need at Any Scale

For maximum flexibility, Fluence offers MABR technology in two versatile formats: Our Aspiralâ„¢ Smart Packaged line is available in a variety of capacities, and our SUBRE line is used to upgrade existing aerobic wastewater treatment plants, cutting energy costs, and increasing capacity or improving effluent quality.

Aspiralâ„¢ Smart Packaged Wastewater Solutions

Aspiral small- to medium-sized Smart Packaged MABR plants are ideal for serving small towns, villages, residential communities, resorts, and more. Aspiral's efficiency makes it suitable for decentralized treatment off the grid since its low energy needs can be supplied by alternative sources.

Aspiral is available in several model sizes and configurations, with treatment capacities starting at 20 m³/d, depending on effluent requirements and design temperature. Several containers may be connected in tandem to handle large quantities of effluent. For operating ease, the systems can be remotely monitored and controlled.

Learn more about Aspiralâ„¢ Smart Packaged Wastewater Solutions.

SUBRE Wastewater Treatment Upgrades

When a conventional activated sludge wastewater treatment facility has reached its limit, Fluence's SUBRE can come to the rescue. SUBRE, which uses membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) towers, is designed to upgrade existing basins with capacities of 2,000-100,000 m³/d (0.5-22 MGD).

Instead of enlarging current plants and building new basins, SUBRE towers are submerged in existing chambers, improving effluent quality, lowering the use of chemicals, saving energy and operational costs, and increasing capacity.

Learn more about SUBRE MABR wastewater treatment plant upgrades.

MABR Provides Simple, Energy-Efficient Wastewater Treatment Wherever It’s Needed

Small- to medium-capacity MABR systems from Fluence save up to 90% on energy used for aeration, compared to conventional plants. MABR's energy efficiency means it can be operated with alternative energy sources off the grid, making it ideal for decentralized treatment.

Whether you need a new wastewater treatment system or want to upgrade an existing plant, Fluence can help. Contact our experts to learn more about how MABR-based treatment can save money and increase effluent quality.

What Is MABR?

Membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) technology provides a revolutionary improvement in aerobic wastewater treatment due to its highly efficient nutrient removal and its energy efficiency, compared to traditional wastewater treatment systems.

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MABR Benefits

High Effluent Quality

MABR's efficient nutrient removal produces high-quality water suitable for use in irrigation or for discharge into the environment.

Simultaneous Nitrification and Denitrification

A biofilm that forms on the spirally wound membrane supports simultaneous nitrification-denitrification (SND) for high nutrient removal.

Energy Efficiency

Fluence's MABR modules use low-pressure passive aeration, which reduces the energy used for aeration by up to 90%. This low energy consumption allows for decentralized treatment off the power grid.

Low Maintenance and Operation Costs

MABR's simple design means low maintenance and operation costs, and the systems can be remotely operated and controlled. MABR also reduces the need for added carbon.

Low Odor and Noise

Using passive aeration not only saves energy, but it also lowers levels of noise and odor for neighborhood-friendly operation.

Flexibility and Scalability

Fluence MABR solutions are available as an upgrade to existing plants and also as decentralized, scalable, easily portable systems packaged in standard shipping containers.

Upgrade Wastewater Treatment Plants with SUBRE

With increased urbanization, wastewater resource recovery facilities face new challenges

When a conventional activated sludge wastewater treatment facility has reached its limit, Fluence's SUBRE can come to the rescue. Instead of enlarging current plants and building new basins, SUBRE modules are submerged in existing chambers, improving effluent quality, lowering the use of chemicals, saving energy and operational costs, and enlarging capacity. SUBRE upgrades WWTPs using membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) modules. SUBRE is designed to upgrade existing basins with capacities of 2,000-100,000 m3/d (0.5-25 MGD) or improve effluent qualities to meet stringent nutrient regulations.

SUBRE enables:

  • Increased treatment capacity to accommodate higher inflows
  • Reduced TN and TP in effluent water (biological nutrients removal)
  • Progress toward energy-neutral treatment

In a SUBRE upgrade, The SUBRE modules containing up to 4 levels of MABR spirals are submerged in the anoxic zone of the WWTP (in a fully aerated reactor with no anoxic zone, construction of a separating wall will be required).

Easy-to-install MABR modules are energy-efficient and cost-effective, and ensure high effluent quality due to simultaneous nutrients revmoal. The SUBRE modules are suitable for installation in basin depths ranging from 1.5 m to 6 m (5-20 feet). The modules are anchored to the basin floor and are aerated by a separate low-pressure low-flow blower. Coarse bubble diffusers are used for periodic mixing of the suspended biomass (utilizing existing aeration blowers if possible).

The retrofit can be performed with minimal interruption, one basin at a time. Results seen in one to three weeks include an improved effluent quality and up to a 30% decrease in the plant's overall energy use. And, SUBRE will greatly save on operational expenses.

The SUBRE upgrade will achieve

  • Enhanced Nitrogen removal
  • Enhanced Bio-Phosphorous removal
  • Increased capacity
  • Improved effluent quality
  • Decrease operational costs by up to 30%.

MABR Modules outperform attached growth solutions such as MBBR and IFAS with:

  • Higher nitrification rate achieved in a once-through process
  • Enhanced Biological Phosphorus removal
  • Reduced energy costs
  • Lower chemicals usage.

Are you looking for ways to get more from your existing wastewater treatment plant? Contact our experts at Fluence for more information on how you can increase capacity, cut energy use, and improve effluent quality with SUBRE MABR modules.

MABR

To increase capacity and effluent quality, arrays of SUBRE modules can be submerged in the basins of existing WWTPs.

SUBRE FEATURES AND BENEFITS

  • Upgrades existing WWTPs with basin capacities of 2,000-100,000 m³/d (0.5-25 MGD)
  • Available in arrays of one to four MABR spirals per modules
  • Ideal for expanding treatment capacity of plants without expanding footprint
  • Up to 80% TP removal in biological stage
  • Stable effluent quality complies with stringent regulations
  • Up to 20% OPEX reduction
  • Reduced carbon addition by up to 30%
  • Full technical support and membrane warranty
  • Zero footprint - no additional construction
  • Simple to operate
  • Progress toward energy-neutral treatment

Featured MABR Case Studies

Smart Packaged Aspiralâ„¢ MABR for Highway Service Area

A Fluence Aspiral MABR system was chosen to provide a highway service area with decentralized, environmentally friendly wastewater treatment. Because the area includes restaurants, accommodations, and shopping, the plant had to be aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly, with minimal noise and odor. The 200 m³/d plant was commissioned within two months.

Four Aspiralâ„¢ MABR Systems in Rural China

A Chinese town, which had been discharging sewage directly into a local river, is now producing Class 1A effluent for release. In the past, domestic wastewater from local residents was discharged directly into the Zhixi River without treatment, which seriously affected the local environment. Now the town has an 800 m³/day Aspiral decentralized plant that's producing an effluent that meets Class 1A standards.

Updated Wastewater Treatment with MABR in the US Virgin Islands

The Bordeaux area of St. Thomas needed a wastewater treatment plant to replace an old one that didn't meet environmental regulations or industry standards. An MABR plant was designed, delivered, and commissioned, providing high-quality effluent within seven months. It economically provides wastewater treatment for 200 homes, and can be easily expanded if required. The plant's quiet, odorless performance was important on the island, which relies on tourism.

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