VRM® – The rotating plate membrane for clean waterapplications. The future-oriented solution designed for theever increasing requirements in wastewater treatment– Virtually free from solids, bacteria and germs– Allows for the reuse of treated water– Compliance with the latest legal EC standards for

bathing waters

HUBER Vacuum Rotation MembraneVRM® Bioreactor

The QualityCompany –Worldwide

➤➤➤ The benefits ➤➤➤ Standard designs of HUBER VRM® Bioreactors➤ VRM® size 20: 180 - 900 m2 membrane surface

➤ VRM® size 30: 960 - 2880 m2 membrane surface

➤ The maximum flow rate depends on the individualapplication conditions.

➤ Multiple unit installation in parallel allows suitabilityfor any flow rate

➤ Applicable for both industrial and municipalwastewater

➤ Subject to technical modification.

REPLACED byHUBER VRM® Membrane Bioreactor

aerationtank

secondaryclarifier

sandfilter UVtreatment

➤➤➤ The situationTechnical progress in the field of municipal wastewatertreatment, including the removal of eutrophicatingpollution loads, has in the past few years significantlyimproved the process flow of sewage treatment plants.Conversely however very little attention had been paidto the high number of germs and bacteria in thesewage treatment plant outlet. To prevent the risk,micro and ultrafiltration combined with the activatedsludge process has proved in recent years to be asuitable method to minimise the effluent load whilstretaining at the same time pathogenic germs thusmeeting the ever increasing and tightening dischargestandards for sewage treatment effluents, without theneed for the ”classic” aeration and secondaryclarification tanks or filtration and disinfection plants.

➤➤➤ The solutionThe HUBER VRM® process is a system of ultrafiltrationmembranes submerged within the aeration tank. Theresultant high effluent quality meets the most stringentregulations whilst also allowing for the capacity to meetthe increasing and higher disposal legislationanticipated in the future, with optimised investmentand operating costs.

The HUBER VRM® System is a combination of biologicalwastewater treatment and high-efficient solids/liquidseparation. The pre-screened wastewater is aerated,clarified biologically and all solids within the flow(particles, bacteria, viruses) removed by theultrafiltration membrane in accordance with the low-pressure principle.

By increasing the concentration of the active biomass to12 - 16 g/l we can improve the efficiency of aconventional wastewater treatment plant without theneed to increase tank volumes.

Subsequent secondary clarification tanks, sand filters ora disinfection plant for advanced wastewater treatmentare deemed unnecessary, with the improvement in theeffluent quality produced. Existing secondaryclarification tanks however can alternatively be used toallow for process optimisation.

inlet

cleaneffluent

VRM® 20 module with 3 m2 filter surface Schematic of a membrane carrier plate

The complete HUBER VRM® Unit is housed within anintegral support frame and submerged directly into theaeration tank � or alternatively installed within aseparate filtration chamber. The system consists of arotating hollow shaft � around which 6 or 8 UFmodules are installed with predefined clearancesbetween each module. The biologically clarifiedwastewater is then sucked through the membranes bythe action of the transmembrane pressure difference,the molecular separation size lying at 150 kDa, prior tobeing discharged � via the permeate collectingpipes �.

To prevent production of a covering layer and thus areduction in the flow rate as the liquid component ofthe activated sludge mixture passes through themembrane, a cross flow is generated on the membranesurface through the introduction of air.

The innovation of the HUBER VRM® System is that thenew, efficient and variable cleaning system � makesperiodic backwashing completely unnecessary. Theprinciple of membrane cleaning consists in thegeneration of directed air and medium flows whilst atthe same time causing radial acceleration along therotating membranes � within the reactor. Only oneindividual membrane segment � requires high-intensitycleaning, which consequently demands only a minimumenergy requirement.

The HUBER VRM® unit can be installed into existing ornew concrete tanks, or alternatively into our stainlesssteel "BioMem®" tanks.

➤➤➤ Functional description

➤➤➤ The HUBER membraneprinciple

The principle of membrane filtration is based upon theseparation of solids suspended in a watery solution bymeans of a pressure differential. While the liquidsolution (in most cases water) permeates through themembrane, the solids are retained on the concentrateside on the membrane surface where they are removedby relative movement. The pressure differentialnecessary to pass the liquid through the membrane isdependent upon the membrane pore size andmembrane quality.

HUBER utilises for all membrane systems a highperformance hydrophilic membrane which has verygood wetting properties with a low affinity to foulingand covering layer forming material contained withinthe wastewater. The membrane pore size of approx.38 nm lies within the ultrafiltration range. This allowshigh flow rates (up to 60 l/m2h) at a lowtransmembrane pressure (< 100 mbar) whilst retainingall solids, bacteria and the majority of germs. In additionto the liquid phase only ions and low-moleculardissolved substances pass through the membrane.

The overflows required for constant operation of theultrafiltration membranes are achieved through aspecial and effective air flow located on the concentrateside.

suspended particles

bacteria

cells

oil emulsions

macro molecules

colloids, turbidity

viruses

proteins

low-molecular organic compounds

ions

➤➤➤ Flow diagram HUBER VRM®

� aeration tank or filtration chamber

� permeate discharge

� scouring air inlet

� membrane

� membrane segment

� hollow shaft

� permeate collecting pipe

Schematic of a membrane carrier plate

The complete HUBER VRM® Unit is housed within anintegral support frame and submerged directly into theaeration tank � or alternatively installed within aseparate filtration chamber. The system consists of arotating hollow shaft � around which 6 or 8 UFmodules are installed with predefined clearancesbetween each module. The biologically clarifiedwastewater is then sucked through the membranes bythe action of the transmembrane pressure difference,the molecular separation size lying at 150 kDa, prior tobeing discharged � via the permeate collectingpipes �.

To prevent production of a covering layer and thus areduction in the flow rate as the liquid component ofthe activated sludge mixture passes through themembrane, a cross flow is generated on the membranesurface through the introduction of air.

The innovation of the HUBER VRM® System is that thenew, efficient and variable cleaning system � makesperiodic backwashing completely unnecessary. Theprinciple of membrane cleaning consists in thegeneration of directed air and medium flows whilst atthe same time causing radial acceleration along therotating membranes � within the reactor. Only oneindividual membrane segment � requires high-intensitycleaning, which consequently demands only a minimumenergy requirement.

The HUBER VRM® unit can be installed into existing ornew concrete tanks, or alternatively into our stainlesssteel "BioMem®" tanks.

➤➤➤ Functional description

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➤➤➤ High flow rateOptimum separation rate

inlet

cleaneffluent

The QualityCompany –Worldwide

➤➤➤ The benefits ➤➤➤ Standard designs of HUBER VRM® Bioreactors➤ VRM® size 20: 180 - 900 m2 membrane surface

➤ VRM® size 30: 960 - 2880 m2 membrane surface

➤ The maximum flow rate depends on the individualapplication conditions.

➤ Multiple unit installation in parallel allows suitabilityfor any flow rate

➤ Applicable for both industrial and municipalwastewater

➤ Subject to technical modification.

Municipal STP with a VRM® 20/90 unit for 780 P.E. inSchwägalp, Switzerland

Municipal STP with VRM® 20/252 unit for 900 P.E. inKnautnaundorf

➤ Maximum effluent quality due to the completeparticle separation from the liquid phase.

➤ Compliance with hygienic standards are met due tothe high bacteria and virus separation achieved bythe UF membranes (37 nm, 150 kDa).

➤ High concentrations of active biomass allow for areduction in the aeration tank volume by up to70%.

➤ Membrane covering layer removal with minimumenergy consumption through sequential cleaning ofthe rotating membranes.

➤ Reduced energy consumption for scouring air dueto the centrally positioned air intake.

➤ No periodic permeate back washing duringfiltration.

➤ Periodic disinfection of the permeate systemprevents contamination on the permeate side.

➤ Fully automatic filtration, depending on thetransmembrane pressure with automatic operationinitiating the intensive cleaning cycle when

differential pressures are exceeded. After return tonormal pressure differential, filtration returns to itsnormal automatic operational sequence.

➤ The transmembrane pressures are low and tranquildue to the high membrane permeability andsubsequently have a positive effect upon themembrane life.

➤ The rotating motion of the filtration moduleproduces intensive turbulences within the reactortank, such that no additional circulating units arenecessary.

➤ The variable use of the scouring air allows a widefield of application (industrial wastewater, e.g. fromlaundries, with a high detergent content).

➤ Complete stainless steel design

➤ Modular construction allowing easy detection andreplacement of individual defective modules (3 m2

or 6 m2 membrane).

➤ Removal of individual or complete membranesegments.

Crystal clear water – the result of state-of-the-artwastewater treatment

Perfect disposal with HUBER VRM® for an alpine hotel

Interior view of the HUBER VRM® Unit with permeate discharge hose �, submerged when in operation

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Hans Huber AG

Maschinen- und AnlagenbauPostfach 63 · D-92332 Berching

Telephone: + 49 - 84 62 - 201 - 0

Telefax: + 49 - 84 62 - 201 - 810

e-mail: info@huber.de

Internet: www.huber.de

Subject to technical alteration

HUBER VacuumRotation MembraneVRM® Bioreactor

2,0 / 3 – 2.2005 – 11.2003

The QualityCompany –Worldwide

➤➤➤ The benefits ➤➤➤ Standard designs of HUBER VRM® Bioreactors➤ VRM® size 20: 180 - 900 m2 membrane surface

➤ VRM® size 30: 960 - 2880 m2 membrane surface

➤ The maximum flow rate depends on the individualapplication conditions.

➤ Multiple unit installation in parallel allows suitabilityfor any flow rate

➤ Applicable for both industrial and municipalwastewater

➤ Subject to technical modification.

Industrial WWTP Raisio Chemicals with 2 VRM®

20/198 units, extendable to 2 VRM®20/252 units,with 1512 m2 total membrane surface

Municipal STP with a VRM® 20/90 unit for 780 P.E. inSchwägalp, Switzerland

Municipal STP with VRM® 20/252 unit for 900 P.E. inKnautnaundorf

➤ Maximum effluent quality due to the completeparticle separation from the liquid phase.

➤ Compliance with hygienic standards are met due tothe high bacteria and virus separation achieved bythe UF membranes (37 nm, 150 kDa).

➤ High concentrations of active biomass allow for areduction in the aeration tank volume by up to70%.

➤ Membrane covering layer removal with minimumenergy consumption through sequential cleaning ofthe rotating membranes.

➤ Reduced energy consumption for scouring air dueto the centrally positioned air intake.

➤ No periodic permeate back washing duringfiltration.

➤ Periodic disinfection of the permeate systemprevents contamination on the permeate side.

➤ Fully automatic filtration, depending on thetransmembrane pressure with automatic operationinitiating the intensive cleaning cycle when

differential pressures are exceeded. After return tonormal pressure differential, filtration returns to itsnormal automatic operational sequence.

➤ The transmembrane pressures are low and tranquildue to the high membrane permeability andsubsequently have a positive effect upon themembrane life.

➤ The rotating motion of the filtration moduleproduces intensive turbulences within the reactortank, such that no additional circulating units arenecessary.

➤ The variable use of the scouring air allows a widefield of application (industrial wastewater, e.g. fromlaundries, with a high detergent content).

➤ Complete stainless steel design

➤ Modular construction allowing easy detection andreplacement of individual defective modules (3 m2

or 6 m2 membrane).

➤ Removal of individual or complete membranesegments.

Microfiltration: particle > 0,1 µm

Ultrafiltration: particle 0,1 - 0,01 µm

Nanofiltration: particle 0,01 - 0,001 µm

Reverse osmosis: particle < 0,001 µm