MBR Plant in Bangladesh
Membrane bioreactor (MBR) plants for ETP and STP that combine biological treatment with membrane filtration, engineered, installed and supported by Techno Bangla Creation.
What Is an MBR Plant?
An MBR (membrane bioreactor) plant is a wastewater treatment system that pairs a biological tank, where bacteria consume pollutants, with a microfiltration or ultrafiltration membrane that separates clean water from the biomass. The membrane replaces the secondary clarifier, so the plant is compact and delivers clear, low-solids treated water.
An MBR is not the same as an MBBR. An MBBR grows bacteria on floating carriers and still needs a clarifier, while an MBR holds the solids back with a membrane. For the carrier-based option, see our MBBR media page.
- Biological treatment plus membrane filtration in one process
- Suited to ETP, STP, hospital and reuse-focused projects
- Works with a complete ETP or STP treatment train
- Installation and after-sales support in Bangladesh
What Are Typical MBR Design Values?
General engineering ranges for membrane bioreactors, so you can read a quotation with confidence.
- Membrane Type
- Microfiltration or ultrafiltration (ultrafiltration is often preferred for lower fouling)
- Pore Size
- Roughly 0.01 ~ 0.4 µm across ultrafiltration and microfiltration membranes
- Membrane Shapes
- Hollow fibre, flat sheet, tubular
- Configuration
- Submerged (suction) or side-stream (pressure-driven)
- Biomass (MLSS)
- About 8,000 ~ 12,000 mg/L, against roughly 3,000 mg/L in conventional activated sludge
- Design Flux
- About 10 ~ 25 LMH (litres per m² of membrane per hour), lower for hard industrial wastewater
- Treated Water Solids
- TSS typically below 5 mg/L, against about 20 ~ 50 mg/L from a clarifier
- Membrane Life
- Case reports range from about 5 to 13 years, depending on wastewater and cleaning
These are published ranges, not guarantees for our plants. Membrane make, flux, MLSS and expected life depend on your wastewater and the exact design, so we confirm them on the datasheet of the selected system.
How Does an MBR Plant Work?
A typical MBR treatment train, from raw wastewater to treated water.
- ScreeningFine screens remove hair, fibre and debris that could damage the membranes.
- EqualizationA tank evens out flow and strength so the biology receives a steady load.
- Anoxic TankBacteria use nitrate here, which helps remove nitrogen when the design needs it.
- Aerobic BioreactorA blower and air diffusers supply oxygen. Bacteria consume organic matter and convert ammonia.
- Membrane FiltrationSuction or pressure pulls water through the membrane. Bacteria and solids stay in the tank.
- Air ScouringCoarse air bubbles sweep the membrane surface and slow the build-up of a fouling layer.
- CleaningBackwash and chemical clean-in-place restore membrane flow. Dosing pumps feed the cleaning chemicals.
- Disinfection or PolishingTreated water may get light disinfection. Reuse targets may add RO, as in a water treatment plant.
- Sludge HandlingExcess sludge is dewatered with a filter press or screw press.
Which MBR Configuration Fits Your Plant?
The membrane can sit inside the biological system or outside it. Each layout suits different projects.
Submerged MBR
- Membranes sit in the bioreactor or in a separate membrane tank
- Suction draws water through, so pumping pressure stays low
- Commonly chosen for medium and large plants
- Used in many sewage and industrial plants
Side-Stream MBR
- Mixed liquor is pumped past membranes outside the tank
- Pressure-driven, with tubular or similar membranes
- Often used for smaller plants and tough industrial wastewater
- Needs more pumping energy than a submerged layout
Hybrid MBBR + MBR
- Floating carriers add attached biomass ahead of the membrane
- Studied in pilot plants for organic and nitrogen removal
- Needs careful design so carriers do not harm the membranes
- See MBBR media for the carrier side
MBR vs Activated Sludge vs MBBR
All three treat wastewater biologically. They differ in how they hold bacteria and separate solids.
| Feature | MBR | Activated Sludge | MBBR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solids separation | Membrane filtration, no clarifier | Clarifier settling and sludge return | Sieve keeps carriers in, with a clarifier or polishing step after |
| Footprint | Compact, up to about 50% smaller than activated sludge as reported | Largest, because of big tanks and a clarifier | Smaller than activated sludge, as reported |
| Treated water quality | Very low solids, low bacteria, can feed RO for reuse | Depends on how well the clarifier settles sludge | Lower than MBR unless followed by polishing |
| Capital cost | Higher: membranes, controls and cleaning system | Lower equipment cost, higher civil cost | Moderate: media plus smaller tanks |
| Energy use | Often higher because of membrane air scouring. One full-scale audit reported about 0.64 kWh/m³ | Lower. The same audit cited about 0.3 kWh/m³ | Moderate, mainly aeration |
| Operation | Automation friendly, with routine membrane cleaning and pressure monitoring | Needs sludge age and return-flow control | Simple, with routine sampling |
| Best fit | Reuse, strict discharge limits, tight space, RO pre-treatment | Large sites with land and steady load | Space-limited sites, upgrades, high organic or ammonia load |
Values are typical figures from engineering literature, including a 2010 full-scale energy audit, so confirm them for your own wastewater and design. Newer systems may use less energy.
How Much Membrane Area Does an MBR Plant Need?
Membrane area equals daily flow divided by design flux and by hours of filtration. Two worked examples show how wastewater type changes the answer.
- Sewage Example
- 1,000 m³/day at 18 LMH design flux
- Sewage Area
- 1,000,000 L ÷ 24 h ÷ 18 LMH = about 2,315 m², or about 2,660 m² with a 15% margin
- Textile Example
- 2,500 m³/day at 15 LMH design flux
- Textile Area
- 2,500,000 L ÷ 24 h ÷ 15 LMH = about 6,944 m², or about 8,333 m² with a 20% margin
Illustrative arithmetic only. It assumes 24 hours of filtration. Harder wastewater needs a lower flux and so more membrane, which raises cost. Our engineers set the final flux from your wastewater data, temperature and cleaning plan.
What Are the Benefits of an MBR Plant?
The membrane is a physical barrier, so treated water quality does not depend on how well sludge settles.
- Smaller footprint: no large clarifier, and higher biomass in a smaller tank, up to about 50% less space as reported
- Clear treated water with very low suspended solids and reduced bacteria and virus content
- Treated water suits discharge to sensitive water bodies and non-potable reuse such as irrigation, flushing and utilities
- Good feed for reverse osmosis when factories want to recycle water
- Automation friendly, so fewer operator interventions at small or remote sites
- Reported stable output under changing load, with local engineering and after-sales support from Techno Bangla
Is an MBR Plant Right for Your Factory?
Choose an MBR Plant When
- You plan to reuse treated water or feed an RO system
- Land is limited and a clarifier will not fit
- Your discharge limits or buyer standards are strict
- You want high automation and steady treated water quality
- The budget covers membranes, cleaning and later replacement
Look at Other Options When
- Space is plentiful and basic limits are easy to meet. A conventional plant or MBBR may cost less.
- Salt (TDS) or colour is the main problem. MBR alone does not remove dissolved salts.
- The wastewater carries heavy oil, grease or scaling hardness without pre-treatment
- You cannot support routine membrane cleaning and monitoring
- Capital cost is the main limit. MBR usually costs more upfront.
Where Are MBR Plants Used?
Sites that need compact treatment, strict limits or water reuse.
- Textile Dyeing and Washing
- Garment Factories
- Pharmaceutical
- Food and Beverage
- Hospitals
- Residential and Commercial STP
- Hotels and Resorts
- Industrial and Export Zones
- Landfill Leachate
- Municipal Wastewater
What Do We Need to Design Your MBR Plant?
Share these details with our engineers and we will recommend a layout, membrane area and budget range.
- Flow. Average and peak flow in m³/day, and the hours the plant runs.
- Wastewater quality. BOD, COD, TSS, TDS, pH, oil and grease, colour and temperature. Lab results are best.
- Treated water goal. The ECR 2023 limit for your industry, a buyer standard, or reuse and RO feed quality.
- Site and tanks. Available land, any existing tanks and the pre-treatment already in place.
- Utilities and operation. Power supply, cleaning chemical storage and who will run the plant.
Why Consider MBR in Bangladesh?
Factory plots are tight and discharge rules are strict. DoE lab reports for textile washing, dyeing and printing quote ECR 2023 limits of BOD 30 mg/L, COD 200 mg/L, colour 150 Hazen and TDS 2,100 mg/L. MBR handles solids, BOD and COD well, and it is a good feed for RO.
Salt is the catch. A Bangladeshi bench-scale textile trial cut COD from about 2,500 to under 200 mg/L, yet TDS stayed at 2,200 to 2,600 mg/L, above the limit. High operating cost is the main reason adoption is still low. Hospital and textile MBR plants already run in Bangladesh, so the technology is proven locally.
Installation and After-Sales Support
Techno Bangla Creation supplies treatment plant equipment together with installation, commissioning and after-sales support for factories, businesses and organizations across Bangladesh.
Our team is based in Mohakhali, Dhaka. Send your flow and wastewater data and our engineers will recommend a suitable MBR layout. See our ETP and WTP services for the full scope.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an MBR plant?
An MBR plant is a wastewater treatment plant that combines a biological tank with a microfiltration or ultrafiltration membrane. Bacteria consume pollutants, and the membrane keeps them in the tank while clean water passes through. The membrane replaces the clarifier, so the plant is compact and its treated water has very low suspended solids.
How does an MBR plant work?
Wastewater is screened, balanced and treated in anoxic and aerobic tanks where bacteria remove organic matter and nitrogen. Suction or pressure then pulls the water through membranes, which block bacteria and solids. Air scouring and regular cleaning keep the membranes working, and excess sludge is removed and dewatered.
What is the difference between MBR and MBBR?
An MBR separates water from bacteria with a membrane, while an MBBR grows bacteria on floating plastic carriers and usually needs a clarifier afterwards. MBR gives clearer treated water and suits reuse, but costs more to build and run. MBBR is simpler and often cheaper, and it suits space-limited upgrades.
How much does an MBR plant cost in Bangladesh?
There is no fixed price. Cost depends on daily flow, wastewater strength, membrane area, automation and treated water goal. MBR usually costs more to build and run than conventional treatment because of membranes, air scouring and cleaning. Send your flow and wastewater data and we will provide a free quotation.
Can treated water from an MBR plant be reused?
Yes, MBR treated water is commonly reused for non-potable purposes such as irrigation, cleaning and toilet flushing, and it is a suitable feed for reverse osmosis. MBR does not remove dissolved salts, so textile process reuse usually adds RO or similar polishing. Our engineers match the train to your reuse target.
Will an MBR plant meet DoE discharge limits in Bangladesh?
A well-designed MBR plant can meet limits for BOD, COD and suspended solids. It does not remove dissolved salts or all colour on its own, so TDS and colour limits for textile effluent may need extra steps. Always confirm the ECR 2023 limit for your industry with the Department of Environment.
How long do MBR membranes last and what maintenance is needed?
Reported membrane life ranges from about 5 to 13 years, depending on wastewater, flux and cleaning. Routine work includes air scouring, backwashing, periodic chemical clean-in-place and monitoring membrane pressure. Eventual membrane replacement is a planned running cost. Techno Bangla Creation provides installation, commissioning and after-sales support.
How can I get a quotation for an MBR plant?
Send your daily flow, wastewater test results, treated water goal and site details by phone or email. Our engineers will recommend an MBR layout and membrane area, then reply with a free quotation for your ETP, STP or water treatment equipment. Lab results for BOD, COD, TSS and TDS help us size it correctly.
