Moving MBR Technology Forward
A large-scale casino on the West Coast of the United States, recently expanded its wastewater treatment capacity as part of a larger expansion project.
The upgrade involved integrating our BIO-CEL L+480 membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology. This solution, featuring the newly-developed UV400T membrane, aimed to boost wastewater treatment capacity, improve effluent quality, and meet California’s stringent Title 22 standards for water reuse.
This case study examines the challenge, solution, and results of implementing the BIO-CEL L+480 with UV400 membrane to enhance treatment efficiency and environmental sustainability.
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The customer
A major casino located on the West Coast of the United States features a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) with a daily capacity of 25,000 gallons, operated by Water & Wastewater Services, LLC.
The facility faced a critical need to expand its treatment capabilities in preparation for a significant increase in overall operations.
The BIO-CEL L-2 UP150 membrane used in the initial setup was proven reliable. However, with growing capacity demands, the facility's operators opted to upgrade to the latest membrane technology, enabling a field study conducted in collaboration with an independent environmental engineering and consulting firm.
The challenge
The WWTP upgrade project presented multiple challenges. The facility required increased flow capacity to accommodate the casino's expansion and enhance effluent quality. Additionally, a field study was conducted to demonstrate that the BIO-CEL L+ Series with the UV400 membrane meets the rigorous California Title 22 water reuse standards.
This meant the membrane system needed to deliver consistent high-quality effluent with minimal maintenance and reduced chemical usage while being cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Testing for compliance involved rigorous turbidity and pathogen removal standards, with an average influent quality of 617 mg/l COD, 297 mg/l BOD, and 133 mg/l TSS.
The solution
To address these challenges, the BIO-CEL L+480 membrane module with UV400T technology was selected for its high efficiency and durability. This membrane technology, offering a patented self-healing laminate and the advantages of both flat plate and hollow fiber designs, provides up to 20% higher average flux and 40% peak flux compared to its predecessors.
The UV400T membrane consistently achieves the high permeability and mechanical stability needed for wastewater treatment and reuse applications.
The WWTP project began in January 2023, and since then, the BIO-CEL system operated at an average flux of 24 LMH (14 gfd), with continuous turbidity and pathogen monitoring for Title 22 compliance.
Highlights
- Effluent quality — consistency and suitability for reuse applications.
- Operational performance — system reliability and hydraulic behavior under load.
- Maintenance requirements — frequency, chemical usage, and overall system efficiency.
These results demonstrate that the BIO-CEL L+480 with UV400 membrane not only meets but surpasses modern regulatory and performance expectations — making it an ideal solution for high-demand municipal wastewater treatment and water reuse applications.