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Global water scarcity is an increasing issue, as it is the quest for renewable energy. With that in mind,

Berghof has developed a new, flexible, low energy filtration concept called the Berghof BioPulse, as

shown in the image below.

Innovative Berghof filtration concept to quicken

“Asian-Pacific pulse”

Market requires robust and flexible waste water treatment

“The often coined German term ‘Deutsche Gründlichkeit’ is hard to translate, but incorporates all the

good characteristics we sell with our products including: quality, thoroughness and reliability. This not

only makes BMW and Mercedes Benz highly coveted brands, but also the Berghof Group,” says

General Manager Eric Wildeboer of Berghof Membrane Technology. “What we do in our highly

specialized field of work, is trying to support our partners the best we can with innovative, extremely

flexible products of the highest quality.“

The story of the family-owned Berghof Group started in 1966 as a research centre in the field of

electrochemistry, membrane filtration and plastic technology in the south of Germany. Today the

Berghof Group is a long-term partner in the development and realization of pioneering work with

more than 220 experts and specialists in eight product areas. The strength of the joint network

between the different product areas lies in the synergy between the diverse technology skills of the

innovation hub that is Berghof. Within the Berghof Group, Membrane Technology is one of the fastest

growing divisions.

Since 1975 Berghof Membrane Technology has developed and manufactured its own tubular

membrane modulesand technology for a wide range of applications. From 1990 to 2003 Berghof

offered turnkey solutions to end-users. Beginning in 2004 the company changed to strictly offering

products and extensive knowledge and training to OEM-customers only. This strategy has built long-

term partnerships in their global network. Today 95 % of Berghof’s membrane business is related to

membrane bio-reactor technology (MBR) for mainly the industrial market. Since 2012, Berghof has

experienced a strong growth for its products outside of the MBR market as well. Innovation and high

flexibility towards customers is Berghof’s fundamental strategy for the current growth curve.

Eric Wildeboer says: “It seems that with this BioPulse concept we are exactly fulfilling our customers’

needs. The market demands a reliable, robust and flexible concept that is able to produce high quality

water under all circumstances at the most economical conditions at any time. We have combined the

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strength of ‘submerged’ and ‘side stream’ membrane technology into a new innovative sidestream

concept, which is a low energy concept with easy operation and maintenance. The ‘submerged

membrane system’ may be saving energy but offers little flexibility when the system requires

adjustment, e.g. when waste water quality is changing or fouling potential is increasing.”

Berghof is currently installing the latest BioPulse MBR systems at two major sites with “zero liquid

discharge” requirements:

The “largest bio-ethanol project in Europe”, is related to the production of

the second generation bio-fuels and renewable energy. More than 95 % of

the waste water resulting from the production process needs to be recycled

(“zero liquid discharge”) into high-purity water. After two years of extensive

pilot research a comprehensive treatment scheme has been designed which

consists of anaerobic digestion, aerobic biological treatment in combination

with Berghof tubular ultrafiltration (UF) products, a multi-stage, reverse-

osmosis plant and evaporation.

The UF-design is based on the flexible, low energy Berghof BioPulse concept. Two identical UF lines

are treating a total of 180 m³/h of waste water and filtering it into 150 m³/h purified UF permeate and

30 m³/h concentrate. Each UF line is equipped with 72 ten inch, four meter long membrane modules

based on 5 mm and 8 mm diameter backwashable, low energy PVDF membranes. The unique features

are backwashable membranes with 8 mm diameter, making Berghof the only supplier of this

technological feature. Berghof is also the sole producer of 10-inch 4 m long XL-modules, which enables

its OEM-partners further savings in plant construction and footprint.

The UF modules are operated at a very low variable velocity. With this flexibility Berghof is able to

control fouling and produce the designed waste water amount under optimum conditions at any time.

This is what Berghof customers have been asking for. The periodical cleaning of the PVDF membranes

is carried out by backflushing. The particle-free UF permeate is further recycled into process water,

using reverse osmosis and evaporation.

The second BioPulse system is being installed at the largest solar-thermal power plant in North

America. Due to critical fouling components in the feed water Berghof’s customer has selected the

robust and reliable, low energy BioPulse concept. A total of 6720 m³/d of water will be treated in eight

double skids. Each equipped with ten pieces 10-inch diameter 4 m long modules using 5 mm

backwashable low energy PVDF Berghof membranes. Start-up is expected to be at the end of 2013.

The next generation of BioPulse is already under development and will save operators ubiquitous

adjustment activities. A joint development between Berghof Automation and Berghof Membrane

Technology should lead to a “smart”, self-regulating BioPulse software program. The software,

containing the entire Berghof membrane know-how gathered over the last 30 years, will do the fine

tuning itself. The system will automatically anticipate process changes at any time. Berghof is

convinced that this feature will lead to further savings for customers. The main focus is to support its

partners in achieving an excellent reference on their projects.

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Today Berghof Membrane Technology operates worldwide and has meanwhile over 500 successful

operational references. In terms of technology Berghof envisions a further fast growth in the industrial

market. The worldwide trend is towards a robust and reliable treatment with the most economical

conditions for a wide range of industrial applications. In addition, Berghof focuses on the

decentralized markets for containerized sewage treatment plants. The company is confident that their

innovative compact BioPulse design will exactly meet the customers’ needs. Cost for sewer systems

continue to rise and Berghofs’ membrane technology has been proven cost-effective all over the world.

In 2004 Berghof started an exclusive partnership with TriHigh Membrane Technology as distributor

for the Chinese market. TriHigh offers a fast and professional local OEM-service, which is the strength

of Berghof. Today it covers over 75 % of the industrial market for sidestream technology in China.

Markets in which Berghof is strongly represented are landfill leachate, oilfield, coal industry,

fermentation, tobacco industry, mining, etc. This year Berghof Membrane Technology has expanded

its focus on the Asia-Pacific market. The company is looking for new partners in the Asia-Pacific region

and would love to share its know-how. Come and join Berghof!

Contact: Eric Wildeboer, Managing Director Berghof Membrane Technology,

eric.wildeboer@berghof.com