ALPHARETTA, GA, May 28, 2014 -- United Utilities UK, a water and sewage services provider of Northwest England, selected Evoqua Water Technologies, a provider of comprehensive and cost-effective water treatment systems and services, as a key partner to design, supply, install, and commission a modular MEMCOR ultrafiltration (UF) membrane system at its Rochdale treatment works in greater Manchester, England.
Evoqua worked closely with United and its contractor KMI Plus to identify the right technologies to meet the site's regulatory and capacity challenges, as well as provide a cost-effective and sustainable solution. Critically, the project was required to not involve civil works and use the existing building on Clay Lane, which meant that the new membrane plant needed to be compact.
The closure of United's Haweswater Aqueduct for scheduled maintenance also placed significant time constraints on the project, as it meant the site would need to be working at full capacity by the time of the closure to prevent any disruption to local supply. At the heart of the redevelopment was Evoqua's MEMCOR UF membrane system, a pressurized, pre-engineered membrane system with a modular building-block configuration that simplifies design and operation and reduces installation costs.
The system incorporates automated processes, including backwashing, to remove built-up solids from membrane surfaces at regular, operator-adjustable intervals, as well as in-built cleaning and membrane integrity testing to ensure a consistent and efficient operation, regardless of feed quality. The high performance of the membrane system is attributed to its vertical hollow fiber membrane configuration, which is sealed at both ends to separate feed side from the filterate side of the module. Fibres are also made with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymer, which provides optimum strength and durability.
In addition, the system's unique integrated backwashing, which offers higher feed recovery due to the lower volumes of filtered water being used during the process, offers the plant greater levels of sustainability, as it eliminates the need for separate, energy demanding pumps. The simple design of the MEMCOR UF membrane system also enabled Evoqua to install platforms around the works, making every area of the system easily accessible for operators.
Before installing the advanced membrane technology, Evoqua performed a pilot scale trial to demonstrate the full capabilities of the system and ensure it would deliver the quality of water needed to supply the local area. The trial confirmed the system's ability to adapt to the works' raw water quality and deliver constant high-quality water; the full installation was completed within 14 months. Since its completion, Clay Lane is now capable of treating 16 megaliters of drinking water each day.
About Evoqua Water Technologies
Evoqua Water Technologies LLC is a leader in water and wastewater treatment products, systems and services for industrial, marine and municipal customers. Its comprehensive, cost-effective and reliable treatment systems and services reduce fresh water demand, ensure uninterrupted quantity and quality of water, and enable regulatory and environmental compliance. With a wide range of proven product brands and advanced water and wastewater treatment technologies, mobile and emergency water supply solutions and service contract options, Evoqua helps cities provide clean water and industrial plants to maintain productivity and profitability. For more information, visit www.evoqua.com.
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