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Process design & optimisation

At UCMST, we use Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) together with other process simulation tools and advanced experimental characterisation techniques to optimise the design of membrane module and large scale water and wastewater treatment plants for our clients.

Our services include:

• Design of large scale bioreactors for wastewater treatment: Prediction of reactor geometry, organic loading, hydraulic retention time and solids retention time on reactor mixing behaviour and nutrient removal
• Diagnosis of dead zones and short-circuiting in membrane bioreactors
• Design of membrane modules (MF/UF/NF/RO): Through the design of membrane module configuration (flat sheet or hollow fibre, including fibre diamter and packign densities), aeration systems, and tank geometry to mitigate fouling potential and concentration polarisation at lowest energy inputs
• Design and optimisation of capital investment and energy consumption of RO processes for brackish water and seawater desalination
• Using our unique plant resilience models to predict operational failure models of advanced water treatment plants, optimise the capital and operating cost over the assets' lifecycle whilst maintaining process efficiency and compliance

Membrane Autopsy Services

The UNESCO Centre for Membrane Science and Technology (CMST) have been a leading provider of membrane autopsy and cleaning services for over 15 years and has conducted more than 100 autopsies with clients ranging from pilot-scale industrial wastewater systems to large municipal water treatment plants.

Membrane autopsies are an important tool for determining causes of fouling events in membrane systems. When conducting an autopsy it is usually on the premise that the fouling management process has failed and the aim of the autopsy is to identify the root cause of the fouling event and provide some recommendation on how to correct or manage it.

Recently the Centre has partnered with commercial provider Membrane Works for assistance with the delivery of all of our membrane autopsy and consultancy services. Autopsies carried out by Membrane Works are still conducted at the centre with our world-class analytical equipment and facilities and supported by our expert staff.