Description of Technology

The System is a Secondary Treatment Unit (STU. The Busse MF system uses an activated sludge process and a membrane process (biological-filtration) to treat sanitary wastewater. The system models are based on their design flows and include for this approval: MF-250, MF-500, MF-750, MF-1000, MF-1500, and MF-2000. Schematics are available on Mass DEP website. The model MF-500 system includes two 264 gallon balance tanks equipped with a screened airlift pump system that pumps effluent to the two membrane reactor (MBR) tanks. Settled and aerated wastewater is discharged from the second balance tank to two 264 gallon membrane reactor (MBR) tanks, which house a total of 24 half height Kubota flat sheet membranes. Each tank contains 12 flat sheet membranes. The Kubota membrane unit consists of two sections: the lower section contains air piping and the upper section containing the membrane panels. The membrane panels consist of an ABS plastic support covered with a felt spacing material and a chlorinated polyethylene membrane. The membrane material has a nominal pore size in the range of 0.1 to 0.4 µm. Membrane units are submerged in activated sludge, aerated by coarse and fine bubble systems. Activated sludge recirculation from the MBR tanks back to balance tank #2 assists in maintaining optimum mixed liquor suspended solids or MLSS concentration in the MBR tanks. The aeration provided in the MBR tanks provides a cross flow of liquid over the surface of the membrane panels, preventing membrane fouling, and providing the oxygen necessary for the microbial degradation of the organic matter and micro-organisms within the wastewater. The membrane units are positioned to act as a flume to direct the liquid flow over the membrane panels, providing mixing and oxygen transfer. The liquid head pressure above the membranes drives the permeate from the mixed liquor through the physical barrier of the membrane. The permeate liquid then flows via a manifold through the tank wall for final disposal. The treated system effluent is conveyed to a distribution box for gravity discharge to a soil absorption system (SAS) or drip dispersal system constructed in accordance with 310 CMR 15.100 – 15.279.

The MBR tanks also may include suspended bags containing marble tiles to maintain proper pH range and sufficient alkalinity in the wastewater for sufficient nitrification.

Membranes are typically exchanged for a clean membrane approximately every six to 12 months. The membrane is removed from the unit, a clean membrane installed and dirty membrane removed from the site to be chemically cleaned by the Service Contractor.

Influent flow equalization for system model MF-500 occurs in Balance Tanks 1 and 2. Single or multiple system tanks can be also be used in combinations to serve various sized facilities in accordance with the Company’s design criteria. This allows the system to be sized based on average flow rather than peak flow. An airlift pump is installed in each balancing tank to ensure the maximum flow discharged to the MBR tanks does not exceed the design capacity of the unit.

Massachusetts Technology Approvals

Approval Type	General	Remedial	Provisional	Pilot
Secondary Treatment
Nitrogen Removal Credit
Phosphorus Removal Credit

Please check the Title 5 Innovative/Alternative Technology Approval Letters webpage at Massachusetts DEP for the most up-to-date information.

Real-World Data

Test Center Reports & Data