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This paper describes how membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology can become standardized, and the first steps that canbe taken to simplify design and procurement of MBR projects independent of particular MBRsuppliers. The author's opinion is that MBR standardization is a market-driven process. MBRs may passthrough a similar process as the high pressure membranes, reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF), are passing through as theybecome standardized. The market first needs to be saturated, causing major MBR membranemanufacturers to separate the MBR membrane manufacturing business from the MBR systemsintegration business as more knowledge on MBR design and operation will be collected in the industry.It is likely that standardization will occur in module shape and in the configuration of the MBRmembrane elements, much like the element diameters (2.5", 4" and 8") that the RO and NF membranesadopted when being standardized. In other words, the hollow-fiber immersed elements from thedifferent brands may become comparable, and the same may happen with the flat plate immersedelements and with the pressurized elements as well.The first signs of standardization are already visible: the hollow-fiber MBR supplier PURON (partof the KOCH group) has introduced hollow-fiber cassettes that are similar in size to ZENON's (part ofthe GE Water Technologies). One of the key suppliers of RO elements on the market, TORAY, hasintroduced flat sheet membranes into the market, allowing the system integrators to design andconstruct MBR systems. As MBR technology becomes more widespread, we may notice more andmore signs of MBR standardization. Includes table.

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Edition: Vol. - No. Published: 11/01/2009 Number of Pages: 8File Size: 1 file , 800 KB