RO/NFUFMBRChemicals

C A S E S T U DY
RO | UF | MBR |Pharmaceutical
Lanzhou, China

Toray MBR Modules Retrofit Conventional Activated Sludge Treatment
System at a Bio-pharmaceutical Facility in China
PROJECT BACKGROUNDIn Lanzhou, China, an establishedbiopharmaceutical company needed to upgrade
its existing conventional activated sludge
wastewater treatment system. With growing
production demands and tightening of industry
effluent discharge standards, the 2,000 m3/
day treatment scheme could no longer handle
increased wastewater flow and meet newdischarge requirements. The plant was limited withspace to add new equipment and had to look at a
retrofit option with increased production capacity,
high-quality effluent, all within the same systemfootprint.
PRODUCT SELECTION
The end-user conducted extensive studies andfield surveys for multiple membrane bioreactor(MBR) suppliers. In China, Toray's flat-sheet MBR
technology successfully treated challenging Figure 1: Tanks installed with Toray MBR modules at Lanzhou's bio-pharmaceutical facility
wastewater feeds at other pharmaceutical sites (end user's sister
facility in Sichuan) and a coal liquefaction site in Inner Mongolia.
Furthermore, Toray's MBR uses PVDF flat-sheet membranes with anominal pore size of 0.08 µm. These pores are uniformly sized anddensely distributed along the membrane surface, producing highpermeability, durability against fouling and chemical cleaning, andoverall simplified operation leading to reduced consumption ofenergy and labor associated with maintenance. The end-user selected
Toray based on these product advantages, proven references, andexpert technical and aftermarket support.

Toray MBR

03-CN-MB2-Lanzho-202108

AnaerobicDisinfection

Flow capacity

5,000 m3/d

Membrane module

TMR140-400DW

Start-up

October 2019

Plant configuration

2 trains each with 12 modules

Influent
water quality

Figure 2: New industrial wastewater treatment system design

Industrial effluent

Table 1 — Quick Facts

AnoxicEffluent
water quality

Effluent

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Suspended solids<170 mg/L

COD<500 mg/L

BOD<200 mg/L

NH3-N<40 mg/L

Oil & Grease<12 mg/L

COD<20 mg/L

Turbidity<1 NTUC A S E S T U DY
RO | UF | MBR

Toray MBR Modules Retrofit Conventional Activated Sludge TreatmentSystem at a Bio-pharmaceutical Facility in China

SUMMARY
Toray's MBR modules ensure that the wastewater
can meet increased production wastewater flow,
exceed design expectations in effluent quality
and future expansion plans. The newly integrated
wastewater treatment system uses the same systemfootprint as the previous conventional activatedsludge system. It now produces more than double
the total capacity at 5,000 m3/day compared tothe previous system capacity of 2,000 m3/day.
This facility is known to be one of the largest MBR
systems for treating pharmaceutical wastewater inChina.

Figure 3: Installation of Toray MBR modules

TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC.
Head Office: Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower 24th Floor, 1-1, Nihonbashi-Muromachi 2 chome, Chuo-ku,
Tokyo, 103-8666, JAPANwww.water.toray+81 3 3245-4542

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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.
03-CN-MB2-Lanzho-202108

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