The new full-scale commercial OxyMem™ MABR installation at the Elmira wastewater treatment plant in Canada is a significant upgrade to the existing facility. The modular solution helps futureproof the plant, providing additional biological treatment capacity and is backed by performance guarantees.   

The Region of Waterloo is a municipality in eastern Canada that has been a leading advocate for the adoption of MABR. The Region has separately trialed technology from two MABR vendors at two wastewater water treatment plants. This second full-scale commercial MABR deployment, following a one-year trial of OxyMem™ OxyFILM™ modules, demonstrates the municipality’s growing confidence in this latest technology. 

Watch video: DuPont™ OxyMem™ MABR Insights: full-scale system deployment in Elmira, Canada (under 5 minutes).

Why Region of Waterloo chose OxyMem™ MABR?

Full-scale DuPont™ OxyMem™ MABR deployment was chosen to be installed at the Elmira wastewater treatment plant in Canada by the Region of Waterloo. The OxyMem™ MABR system allows for expanded treatment capacity through process intensification, without the need to expand the operational footprint of the plant. Making use of existing infrastructure and being easily deployed, usually without disrupting treatment processes, OxyMem™ MABR modules can be a drop-in, plug-and-play upgrade solution.

The first full-scale commercial installation of OxyMem™ MABR modules in Canada is expanding the capacity of the Elmira wastewater treatment plant within the Region of Waterloo, which has a design flow of 7800m³ per day.

Frequent high industrial and seasonal flows and loads at Elmira highlighted that capacity enhancement was essential for the future smooth running of the plant. The MABR modules were installed within reactors one and two on site to bolster the current process and help futureproof beyond 2040. Additional nitrification capacity is provided via the MABR attached growth biofilm.

One of the key reasons for specifying MABR was the lack of available space to accommodate the building of additional biological treatment tanks at the facility. OxyMem™ MABR modules could be placed directly into the existing tanks, enabling the municipality to increase capacity without expanding the plant’s operational footprint. 

Eight OxyMem™ MABR modules, supplied through local representatives Aquafy, provide process intensification and additional biological treatment capacity.  The modular system is incredibly flexible. Given the size of the existing biological tanks on site, significant further expansion using MABR is possible should additional treatment capacity be required at the plant in the future. 

OxyMem™ MABR benefits relevant to full-scale commercial application in Elmira, Canada:

Drop-in deployment makes retrofitting easy 

OxyMem™ MABR technology is an innovative plug-and-play solution. After placing modules into the existing tank infrastructure, you simply attach the small air blowers and turn them on. Each module begins to work the instant after it is dropped into a working wastewater treatment plant. Every individual module installed adds treatment capacity. 

OxyMem™ MABR provides exceptionally easy deployment and retrofit.

When installing OxyMem™MABR IFAS solution you can expect:

1. Time-Saving 
   Deployment of the eight modules was extremely fast, taking less than two hours (crane lift).
2. Minimal Disruption
   Often MABR units can be deployed on sites without the need for draining tanks of upsetting the existing process. Elmira is in a region with seismic activity so receiving frames were put in place first. With frames in position, the modules are now easily deployed and retrieved without needing to stop the treatment process.
3. Retrofit/Reuse of Existing Assets
   No major civil or concrete works required. The existing structures on site can now accommodate more biological treatment.  
4. Energy Saving 
   The MABR solution negated the need to pour concrete, saving on associated carbon footprint. Beyond the physical plant upgrade works, the MABR units will draw little energy over the lifetime of the plant in comparison to conventional upgrade alternates.
5. Easy Deploying 
   A semi-automatic lifting rig accelerated the installation process and avoided the need for people to work over open water.

Deployment is incredibly simple. The modules arrived accompanied by a semi-automatic lifting rig that lifts each module and automatically locks it into position. After flying it over the tank and setting it down, there is no need for someone to enter the water to disconnect it; the rig automatically disconnects itself, allowing it to be lifted out by the crane. 

The system is made plug-and-play thanks to quick and easy connections between the modules and the air piping system. Rubber hoses and cam locks save time while providing a reliable connection and eliminating any concerns about vibration.

Installation highlights in photos