Comparisons

MBC

Micro Filtration

Clarifier/Sand Filter

Ion Exchange

Capital Costs

Medium

High

Medium

High

Operating Costs

Low

High

Low

Medium

Size

Small

Large

Large

Medium

Reliability

High

Medium

Medium

High

Fouling

Low

High

Medium

High

Solids limits

High

High

Low

Low

Pumping

Low

High

Low

Medium

Cleaning

Low

High

Medium

Medium

Power Use

Low

High

Low

Low

Absolute Filtration

No

Yes

No

No

Flow drop-off

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Pressure drop

Low

High

Medium

Medium

Sludge volume

Low

Low

Medium

Medium

 

MBC advantages over microfilter

  • Lower capital costs
  • Less pressure drop.
  • Not subject to membrane fouling and scaling.
  • Lower chemical and 10% of the energy costs.  No hazardous chemicals used.
  • Smaller footprint – a 4’x 4’x5’ MBC at 100-200 gpm versus a 30 gpm membrane filter with dimensions of 24’x12’x16’.

 

MBC advantages over dissolved air flotation (DAF)

  • Better water quality.
  • Lower energy use.  MBC does not require air compressors.
  • Smaller footprint.
  • Less costly.

 

MBC advantages over gravity clarifier/sand filter

  • Smaller footprint (i.e.: 12’x20’ clarifier and 6’x10’ sand filter approximates a 4’x4’x4’ MBC)
  • Lower capital costs.
  • No filter fouling by oil and greases, bacterial growth, polymer overdose or scaling.
  • No floc floating problems.

 

MBC Advantages over ballast clarification (Actiflo)

  • Smaller footprint (i.e.: 50% smaller).
  • 10x greater waste concentration.
  • No ballast wasting.
  • Lower capital cost.
  • Lower operating cost.

 

MBC advantages over high-density sludge clarifier (Densadeg)

  • Smaller footprint.
  • Less costly.
  • Better water quality.  No pin floc or floc floating..