Koch Membrane installs UK’s largest MBR system

Koch Membrane Systems (KMS) has upgraded the UK's Woolston Wastewater Treatment Works near Southampton, 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 its PULSION® MBR ultrafiltration membrane — improving effluent quality by increasing nutrient removal and achieving nearly 100% bacteria and solids removal. The plant's long-standing odour control problem was also eliminated with the new system.

As the UK'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).

The plant also 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.

"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."