RO/NFUF

MBR

C A S E S T U DY
RO | UF | MBR |Wastewater Treatment
Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Taiwan Mandates Water Reclamation for Economic Sustainability
BACKGROUND
As a leading global supplier of semiconductors and other related
IT components, access to a consistent supply of clean water isessential in Taiwan for sustainable economic growth. However,when the country experienced one of the worst droughts in its
history in 2015, in addition to the frequently occurring typhoons
that obstruct the availability of clean water, the government wasforced to implement water security plans.
The result was the introduction of the “Reclaimed Water Resources
Development Act” at the end of 2015 by Taiwan’s Ministry of
Economic Affairs. This new legislation would aim to make up at least
10% of the public water supply with reclaimed water by 2031, andthe government would invest around USD 465.8 million to build six
wastewater reuse plants between 2016 and 2021 [1]. The first of theseplants would become the Feng Shan Xi Wastewater Reclamation
Project to supply treated water to the Linhai Industrial Park inKaohsiung.

Figure 1: Feng Shan Xi Water Reclamation Facility
Table 1 — Quick Facts (RO system)

PROJECT TENDER
Two of the largest EPC firms in Taiwan, HDEC Corporation andCTCI Corporation, formed a joint venture called Blue Whale
Corporation to build and operate the wastewater treatment
and reuse facilities. The result would be Taiwan’s first integrated
wastewater treatment and water recycling facility at Feng Shan
Xi. The pre -treatment consists of pressurized hollow-fiber
ultrafiltration membrane modules to remove turbidity. The UF
effluent would be treated by a two-stage high-pressure reverse
osmosis system containing Toray RO to reduce impurities. As partof two phases, a 25,000 cubic meter per day reuse facility cameonline in August 2018, followed by a 45,000 cubic meter per day
facility in August 2019. A 109,600 cubic meter per day sewage
treatment plant supplies effluent to the recycling facility.
The water recycling facility also is integrated into neighboringparks and riverside corridors to promote environmental
protection, sustainable landscaping, ecological preservation
through public outreach and education. This facility would become
Taiwan’s first educational park with a water recycling theme.

The Feng Shan Xi Wastewater
Reclamation Facility was shortlisted
for the 'Wastewater Project of theYear' at the 2019 Global Water
Summit.

03-TW-MB1-202108

1 of 2Feed source

Secondary effluent from the sewage
treatment plant

Pretreatment

Pressurized hollow-fiber UF

System capacity

Phase 1: 25,000 m3/d;
Phase 2: 45,000 m3/d

Toray membrane model

TML20D-400

Active area per element

400 ft2

Membrane material

Polyamide

System design

30:15 (7 elements per vessel)

System recovery

75%

End useBoiler feed for steel manufacturer

Consultant

Stantec

Commissioned

August 2018

Chemicals

C A S E S T U DY

Taiwan Mandates Water Reclamation for Economic Sustainability

RO | UF | MBR |MEMBRANE SELECTION
Since the wastewater after treatment is reused as cooling water, the RO permeate
must meet stringent requirements, particularly removing ammonia. As indicatedin Table 2, the RO feed water contains high levels of inorganics. As a result, Toray
RO model TML20D-400 was selected to meet these requirements, which features
fouling resistant properties to extend the membrane element's lifespan while
maintaining optimal permeate flow and rejection rates.
In addition to fouling resistance, this membrane is part of Toray's durable 'D-Family'
series that features higher tolerance against foulants, cleaning (pH range), andoxidation. The Feng Shan Xi Water Reclamation Facility has become an excellent
example in shaping the public's perception of water reuse as a viable solution tosustain Taiwan's growing economy and population.

Table 2 — RO feed water quality
Iteminfluent

Temperature

15–30 °CpH

7.4

Ammonium nitrogen

7 mg/LTDS

620 mg/L

SDI<3Turbidity<1 NTUTable 3 — RO permeate target guideline
Iteminfluent

Temperature

15–30 °CpH

5.5–8.0

Conductivity<50 µs/cm

Turbidity<0.2 NTU

Suspended solids<1 mg/L

TOC<3 mg/L

Total hardness<20 mg/L as CaCO3Ammonia nitrogen<0.5 mg/L

REFERENCES[1] Freyberg, Tom. "Taiwan: Water Reuse toFeed Booming Industry." Water & WastewaterInternational, Plymouth, Minnesota. January 1,
2016.

Figure 2: RO system containing Toray's low-fouling membrane elements

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All information presented herein is believed reliable and in accordance with accepted engineering practices. Toray makes nowarranties as to the completeness of this information. Users are responsible for evaluating individual product suitability forspecific applications. Toray assumes no liability whatsoever for any special, indirect or consequential damages arising from thesale, resale or misuse of its products. © 2021 Toray Industries, Inc. Subject to change without notice.
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