Defending Australia’s MBR Plants for Over 15 Years

Both HUBER and Hydroflux have a long background with membrane bioreactor (MBR) fine screening applications specific to Australian conditions.

Several of Australia’s largest MBR based plants have HUBER Fine Screens installed with references dating back to 2006. In Australia alone there are 6 x LIQUID (Horizontal Drum) and 16 x RPPS (Inclined Drum) supplied to various size wastewater treatment plants specifically as a fine screens (≤ 2 mm perforation) for membrane bioreactor protection.

“Careful consideration needs to be given to fine screening applications to ensure suitably low panel velocities and blinding are employed when selecting a fine screen to ensure acceptable capture rates can be achieved and the screen can handle a wide range of feed solids. The goal is to protect the downstream MBR, which is a critical asset and must operate with any accumulation of fine screening that would compromise performance and reliability.

A correctly sized fine screen ensures years of trouble-free operation due to minimised run time (wear/power/water usage) and blinding/plugging issues. Hair pinning is the biggest headache of perforations ≤ 2 mm and the only way to counter this is with panel velocity reduction.

We have nearly 20 years’ experience specific to Australian conditions, so we know how to apply our technology to this application” says Daniel Potente, Sales Manager – Municipal Technology at Hydroflux.

HUBER Fine Screens are robust, reliable and well proven which is necessary to protect high value downstream membranes.

An outstanding screening capture of 93% is achieved with 2mm perforation, as confirmed by the UK WIR Test Facility. Every screen is only as good as its sealing system, so a special PU seal is used for MBR screening applications which ensures that no unscreened wastewater can pass the screen. This ensures best capture is achieved constantly and reliably. A drum screen provides the largest screen surface area and has a simple seal arrangement which is virtually “bullet proof” unlike other fine screen types which have significantly more detrimental failure & wear points.

Technology Highlights

• High screenings capture, ideal for MBR applications
• Robust heavy duty drum seal to ensure no bypass
• 2-dimensional screening provides excellent removal of screenings and fibres
• High surface area available
• Automatic operation
• Stainless steel drum with perforations not subject to clogging
• Heavy duty construction for reliable operation
• Completely made of stainless steel and acid-treated in a pickling bath for maximum corrosion resistance
• Channel or tank installation options

Fine Screen Sizing Details:

Perforated plate from 1.5 up to 3 mm

Horizontal Drum LIQUID:

• Diameters from 1.3 to 2.2 m
• Lengths from 1.1 to 4 m
• Fine screening flow rates of 130 l/s to 2000 l/s

Inclined Drum RPPS:

• Diameters from 0.6 to 3.0 m
• Fine screening flow rates of 20 l/s to 1000 l/s

For further information please CLICK HERE or contact us on 09 352 2052 or [email protected]

About the Hydroflux Group

The Hydroflux Group aims to deliver the highest level of engineering and scientific know-how to the emerging issues of sustainability, climate adaptation and environmental protection with a specific focus on water and wastewater.

As part of its vision and mission, Hydroflux has always taken its climate responsibility seriously. In 2022, Hydroflux became Australia’s first water treatment and technology company to achieve Climate Active carbon neutral certification for its organisation and products. It knows that partnering with customers and clients is the most significant impact it can have in its journey. The Group employs over 100 staff and operates throughout Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, with office locations in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Auckland, Suva and Portsmouth.