GE launches new membrane technology to produce energy from wastewater

GE has launched a new anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) technology to generate renewable energy from wastewater.

The company has combined anaerobic digestion technology with its ZeeWeed 500 membranes to develop the new system.

According to GE, the new membrane delivers better performance at lower costs with the ability to generate renewable energy from industrial wastewater. It produces less sludge during the process.

The AnMBR technology can be a cost-effective alternative for industrial wastewaters with high biochemical oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand concentrations.

GE said in a statement: "By combining anaerobic digestion and ZeeWeed membrane technology, GE has solved the issues associated with traditional anaerobic processes."

The company has collaborated with PurposeEnergy to combine AnMBR with the latter’s Tribrid-Bioreactor anaerobic digester, which is designed for industrial effluents discharged by the food and beverage industry.

The technology converts organic waste into clean water and energy, and enables on-site production of renewable energy.

The combination of technologies enables AnMBR to separate solids retention time from hydraulic retention time, resulting in 99% reduction in organic load.

GE Power & Water general manager Yuvbir Singh said: "GE’s most recent development in membranes unites our proven ZeeWeed reinforced hollow fibre membranes with anaerobic digestion technology to construct the new AnMBR."

Meanwhile, GE will supply ZeeWeed 500 membranes to the city Brussels in Belgium to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant that serves 400,000 residents.

The upgraded plant will treat an average of 66 million litres per day.

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Image: GE has collaborated with PurposeEnergy to combine technologies. Photo: courtesy of GE.