Membrane Bioreactor Reverse Osmosis Potable Water Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wastewater treatment systems are inadequate in producing potable water from wastewater, as they fail to meet stringent contaminant removal standards for direct reuse in water supply distribution systems, posing risks to consumer health.
Innovation Solution
A method and system combining a membrane bioreactor with reverse osmosis and optional UV treatment, followed by injection into a subterranean formation and recovery, to produce a permeate water stream suitable for potable reuse, involving a membrane bioreactor, reverse osmosis system, injection and recovery wells, and chemical or UV treatment as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional wastewater treatment systems are used, then the treatment process is simple and cost-effective, but the contaminant removal efficiency is insufficient to meet potable water standards
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment system is divided into distinct functional modules: membrane bioreactor for biological treatment and solid-liquid separation, reverse osmosis system for advanced filtration, and UV treatment system for disinfection. Each module performs a specific function to progressively remove different types of contaminants, enabling the system to meet potable water standards through staged treatment
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane bioreactor combines biological treatment processes with membrane filtration in a single integrated unit, merging the functions of activated sludge treatment and solid-liquid separation. This integration enhances contaminant removal efficiency while managing system complexity through unified design
2Reliability
If multiple treatment stages including reverse osmosis and UV treatment are applied, then potable water quality standards are met, but the system complexity and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane bioreactor performs preliminary treatment by removing suspended solids, organic matter, and nutrients before the water enters the reverse osmosis system. This pre-treatment protects the reverse osmosis membranes from fouling and extends their lifespan, ensuring reliable potable water quality while managing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane bioreactor acts as an intermediary treatment stage between conventional wastewater treatment and reverse osmosis. It produces a clarified effluent that is suitable for reverse osmosis processing, bridging the gap between biological treatment capabilities and the requirements for potable water production
3Quantity of substance
If treated effluent is injected into subterranean formation for recovery, then additional water supply is obtained, but the risk of contaminant migration and groundwater pollution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wastewater undergoes extensive preliminary treatment through the membrane bioreactor and reverse osmosis system before injection into the subterranean formation. This pre-treatment removes contaminants to levels that minimize migration risk, enabling safe water disposal and recovery while protecting groundwater resources
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts potentially harmful wastewater into a beneficial resource by treating it to potable water standards and injecting it into the subterranean formation for recovery. The treated effluent, which would otherwise be a waste product requiring expensive disposal, becomes a source of additional water supply after treatment and injection
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively removes contaminants, producing treated effluent that meets or exceeds drinking water standards, ensuring safe reuse in potable water distribution systems while minimizing health risks.
Implementation Method 1
processing the wastewater influent in a membrane bioreactor to produce a treated effluent
Implementation Method 2
processing the treated effluent in a membrane bioreactor (MBR) system to produce a permeate effluent stream
Implementation Method 3
injecting the permeate effluent stream into a subterranean formation through an injection well
Implementation Method 4
extracting formation water from the subterranean formation through a recovery well
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method produce a treated effluent from untreated wastewater. An untreated wastewater is obtained from a wastewater source and processed in a membrane bioreactor to produce treated effluent. The treated effluent is then processed in the first reverse osmosis system. Optionally, an effluent permeate produced by the first reverse osmosis system is injected into a subterranean formation through an injection well, wherein formation water is subsequently extracted from the subterranean formation through a recovery well and processed in a reverse osmosis system to produce a permeate water stream which may be supplied to a potable water distribution system.