Research teams led by Dr. Robert Andrews and Dr. Hongde Zhou have created national capacity in research to advance the application of membrane technologies to drinking water and wastewater treatment. Teamed with industry partners, including global leader, Zenon Membrane Solutions (GE Water and Process Technologies), these two research teams helped to connect technology capacity to user needs.

Project 1: Membrane fouling control for improving MBR performance

Led by Dr. Hongde Zhou, this project addressed the technical barriers that prevent wider acceptance and use of membrane bioreactor (MBR) processes in wastewater treatment and wastewater reuse applications. In particular, fouling of membrane bioreactors lowers their permeability, necessitating frequent cleaning and replacement.

Recent research has provided better insight into the main causes of fouling and how the mechanisms that cause it relate to the composition of the wastewater or sludge being treated. The project addressed how to reduce fouling and improve efficacy of treatment while reducing costly energy consumption from membrane bioreactors.

A series of pilot plant tests were conducted using three state-of-the-art ZW-500® MBR pilot plants at City of Guelph Wastewater Treatment Plant. During these tests, increases in transmembrane pressure because of membrane fouling were continuously monitored to calculate both reversible and irreversible fouling rates. A model was also developed and the results showed that the model can accurately predict the irreversible biofouling rates. The research also developed a two-stage membrane biofilm reactor (MBFR) system for simultaneous autotrophic nitrification and denitrification of wastewater effluents.

Results from research improved the ability to achieve high-quality effluent through application of integrated innovative membrane technologies for conventional and emerging contaminants.

Project 2: Enhancing the sustainability of membrane processes used for drinking water

Led by Dr. Robert Andrews, this project addressed barriers to the more widespread application and effectiveness of membrane technologies for drinking-water treatment in Canada and worldwide.

The research determined the true value of process performance when membrane processes are integrated into new or existing facilities and will support improved system operation and reliability.

The project also identified raw water quality boundaries for which membrane processes can potentially become less sustainable than more conventional processes, an issue of particular interest to operators of small systems and systems with poor raw-water quality.