New MSS process evolutionizes effluent treatment
It is the fully-integrated approach used to develop SECONDairy^®, Membrane System Specialists' (MSS) newest filtration-based system, that is evolutionizing how plants view waste water treatment.

Focusing on methods to remove – or greatly decrease – the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), the total suspended solids (TSS), and phosphorous in waste water, SECONDairy's^® patent-pending process reduces "waste" by 90-95 percent of the original volume by recovering product "lost" due to spills, rinses, and clean-in-place procedures.

Levels of suspended and colloidal solids are initially reduced by 90 percent, while fats, oils, and greases are reduced by 99 percent. Pre-processed effluent (wastewater) is then treated by reverse osmosis membranes to reduce the remaining biochemical oxygen demand by 99 percent; phosphorous by 99 percent; chlorides by 99.5 percent; and to produce surface or municipal discharge able water.

Plants that have traditionally relied on aerobic and anaerobic treatment to reduce BOD and TSS levels biologically will find that SECONDairy^® reduces or eliminates the need for these land-intensive processes.

According to MSS Process Development Engineer Craig Guyse, the process specialist who guided the development of the SECONDairy^® system, SECONDairy^® not only minimizes land usage, in most cases the process, which incorporates a unique modular design and technology, can be configured to utilize existing plant space.

Finally, SECONDairy^® decreases the costs associated with engineering fees for impact studies, paperwork, etc. "Research indicates that plants are spending significant amounts of capital on waste water treatment," said Guyse. "Most companies are searching for ways to improve their waste water treatment processes and reduce these costs. We've created a solution."

"Because of the unique characteristics of each plant's waste water, piloting SECONDairy^® is the first step to assure proper configuration of the system's components," said Guyse. The highest level of confidentiality is maintained. For information about a pilot study at your plant, call Membrane System Specialists at 715-421-2333.

Product Notes
It's element-ary
Profitability aided by proper RO Elements Rejection rates, permeate flow, and net driving pressure. These are the factors that a plant owner weighs when selecting the best reverse osmosis elements for a particular application.

RO elements are most commonly used to remove H₂O–or clean a feed stream. Because municipalities are becoming stricter on their discharge standards, choosing the best RO elements for the job can have a significant impact on a plant's profitability.

Ask the Doctor
Ultrafiltration process operations
The operation of a membrane unit is influenced by operating conditions or process parameters that may be broadly classified into two categories: equipment-related and non-equipment-related.

All of these parameters must be properly controlled to ensure efficient operation of a membrane unit, i.e., its ability to maintain design capacity throughout the course of operation, carry out its separation duties, and preserve the projected life of specific components in the unit, particularly with respect to membrane life. Ultrafiltration of a dairy fluid such as whey is used as a reference point for this article.

Equipment-Related Parameters
These refer to parameters that go into the design of a membrane unit and are represented by process pressure, fluid circulation velocities within a membrane module, total number of membranes selected for a given duty, mechanical aspects of design and process control. The importance of each of these parameters is discussed below.

Process Pressure
Process pressure is the primary driving force for permeation through the membrane in the ultrafiltration process. Optimum process pressures are necessary for longevity of production runs and are realized by appropriately sizing the process pumps. The baseline pressure is a good indicator of the state of process operation. If the baseline pressure builds up too early in the process, it implies that the system requires cleaning or that the membranes are fouled. Consistently high baseline pressures that exist right from the commissioning of a unit implies that there is inadequate membrane surface area for the given separation duty.

Circulation Velocities
Certain optimum circulation velocities are required within the membrane module to reduce concentration polarization as well as provide adequate shear necessary for cleaning . This is closely tied to the pump design. Insignificant circulation velocities can lead to a plethora of problems ranging from improper membrane cleaning to reoccurring membrane fouling.

Total Number of Membranes Selected For a Given Duty
Inadequate membrane surface area provided to achieve production capacities for a given separation will result in reduced process capacity (feed flow). This will result in a inability to maintain design capacity in an otherwise clean membrane unit.

Mechanical Aspects of Design and Process Control
The mechanical aspects of design pertain to the selection of correct line sizes, valve type and placement, and layout of piping and supports for smooth, stable operation. Process control refers to the rapidity and ease of the unit to respond to changes in feed flow, recovery, etc. The above aspects are important from an operational standpoint.

"Dynamic Duo" wants to hear from you!
Job-sharing, a concept that creates greater flexibility for employers and employees, is also ensuring that Membrane System Specialists' customers have access to a customer service representative at all times.

Terre Forbes and Pam Schmidt are sharing the position of customer service representative. They cheerfully and capably handle all spare parts orders, loading information, membrane orders, and returns. Using an extensive data base, they can track any company's previous orders from Membrane System Specialists for reference in placing new orders. Plus, they can provide accurate lead times and current pricing.

Terre and Pam also offer the valuable service of providing back-up for sales representatives and agents when they are not available to take your call.

Knowing Membrane System Specialists' customers and ensuring that your needs are met are key elements of their shared responsibilities. They welcome your calls, your comments, and your questions.

Profile-Tom Turner
Only a few years ago, "high tech" control panels were out of financial reach for the average membrane filtration system customer. Now, compact, efficient, and affordably-priced, it's rare that a system will be designed without one. And that makes Tom Turner, Membrane System Specialists; controls engineer very happy.

Turner's vast experience includes hands-on experience as an operator and maintenance supervisor for major cheese plants, as well as 14 years in the sugar industry. His multiple degrees in electronics, computers and programming give him an edge when it comes to designing Membrane System Specialists' control panels.

He takes great pride in designing user-friendly panels. "I design so that the control panel makes sense from an operator, maintenance, and electrical point of view," he said. Having worked as an operator, he has a better feel for what makes sense and what doesn't. For the customer, that means smoother start-ups, efficient operations, and less down-time. A carefully designed control panel can create a "real choreography" with the complete membrane system, Turner said. Because they are programmed with specific commands that the customer determines are important, each system flows to its own "special music."

In addition to the value they add to new systems, Turner commented that retrofitting existing systems with control panels is a practical, realistic option for many membrane system owners.

For those who are uncertain about training operators to confidently work with the new control panels, Tom assures that thorough operator training is a standard Membrane System Specialists service.

Mem-Brine^TM System
Takes A Beating, Keeps on Treating
Arlie Doell, co-owner of Krohn Dairy, prides himself on running a top-notch cheese manufacturing plant. Only the very highest quality mozzarella cheese bears his seal of approval. That's why he used to change his brine every six months.

However, for the past four years, plant operators have worked around the clock, producing more than 50,000 pounds of cheese a day, still using the same batch of brine they made in 1990.

"It's just as clear as when we made it new and started our Mem-Brine^TM unit in April of 1990,: Arlie said. For three years, the system utilized the same sturdy elements that were designed specifically for the Mem-Brine^TM system.

Arlie is confident that, in conjunction with a good fine saver and a carefully-adhered to cleaning program, his Mem-Brine^TM system will continue to perform to his high expectations.

"USDA and state inspectors are amazed at how good a job the Mem-Brine^TM system does," he said.

The Mem-Brine's^TM trouble-free performance keeps Krohn Dairy running at peak performance. The late Leo Krohn, founder of Krohn Dairy, would be pleased to know that his vision in collaborating with Membrane System Specialists to create the first Mem-Brine^TM system on the market has served his heirs–and the industry–efficiently and profitably.

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