• Project expands starch and ethanol production capacity for Australian wheat processor
NOWRA, NSW, Australia, Oct. 9, 2008 -- Koch Membrane Systems GmbH has been selected to provide modules for a membrane bioreactor system (MBR) and reverse osmosis (RO) equipment to a new production plant being installed in Nowra, New South Wales. The overall project, which was awarded to Tenix Alliance Pty. Ltd., will expand the Manildra Group's starch and ethanol production capacity.
"By using MBR systems in combination with reverse osmosis to recycle process water, industrial companies like the Manildra Group can cut wastewater disposal costs and reduce consumption of fresh water," said Imran Jaferey, business development director, water and wastewater for KMS.
Tenix Alliance Pty. Ltd. selected eight Model PSH 1500 PURON™ membrane filtration modules from KMS, finding the hollow fiber membrane modules to be the most technically viable and economical solution for the Manildra Group. The system design calls for four trains of two MBR modules each, with space available for expansion. Systems with submerged membrane modules are used for some of the toughest wastewater treatment applications, including sewage treatment for municipalities and treatment of wastewater for the beverage, textile, food, paper, and chemicals industries. The single header design and the extremely effective aeration system incorporated in the PURON module from KMS provide optimal solids management, high flow rate, and reliable operation, while using 50 percent less energy than other submerged MBR systems.
To polish effluent from the MBR, Tenix Alliance has also selected two MegaMagnum® MM6 reverse osmosis systems. Manufactured by Koch Membrane Systems Inc., each system uses 30 of the world's largest commercially available spiral wound RO elements, the 18" diameter MegaMagnum. These elements are designed to significantly reduce the cost, footprint, and installation time of RO systems. Each 18" x 61" MegaMagnum spiral element used for the project contains 2,800 ft2 of membrane surface area, compared to 400 ft2 in commonly deployed 8" x 40" products.
Koch Membrane Systems GmbH is an affiliate of Koch Membrane Systems Inc. and manufactures PURON membrane filtration modules in Aachen, Germany. Koch Membrane Systems Inc. has been a global leader in separation and filtration products for more than 35 years.
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