Innovative Berghof filtration concept to quicken Asian-Pacific pulse

Market requires robust and flexible waste water treatment The often coined German term Deutsche Grndlichkeit is hard to translate, but incorporates all the good characteristics we sell with our products including: quality, thoroughness and reliability. This not only makes BMW and Mercedes Benz highly coveted brands, but also the Berghof Group, says General Manager Eric Wildeboer of Berghof Membrane Technology. What we do in our highly specialized field of work, is trying to support our partners the best we can with innovative, extremely flexible products of the highest quality. The story of the family-owned Berghof Group started in 1966 as a research centre in the field of electrochemistry, membrane filtration and plastic technology in the south of Germany. Today the Berghof Group is a long-term partner in the development and realization of pioneering work with more than 220 experts and specialists in eight product areas. The strength of the joint network between the different product areas lies in the synergy between the diverse technology skills of the innovation hub that is Berghof. Within the Berghof Group, Membrane Technology is one of the fastest growing divisions. Since 1975 Berghof Membrane Technology has developed and manufactured its own tubular membrane modulesand technology for a wide range of applications. From 1990 to 2003 Berghof offered turnkey solutions to end-users. Beginning in 2004 the company changed to strictly offering products and extensive knowledge and training to OEM-customers only. This strategy has built longterm partnerships in their global network. Today 95 % of Berghofs membrane business is related to membrane bio-reactor technology (MBR) for mainly the industrial market. Since 2012, Berghof has experienced a strong growth for its products outside of the MBR market as well. Innovation and high flexibility towards customers is Berghofs fundamental strategy for the current growth curve. Global water scarcity is an increasing issue, as it is the quest for renewable energy. With that in mind, Berghof has developed a new, flexible, low energy filtration concept called the Berghof BioPulse, as shown in the image below.

Eric Wildeboer says: It seems that with this BioPulse concept we are exactly fulfilling our customers needs. The market demands a reliable, robust and flexible concept that is able to produce high quality water under all circumstances at the most economical conditions at any time. We have combined the

strength of submerged and side stream membrane technology into a new innovative sidestream concept, which is a low energy concept with easy operation and maintenance. The submerged membrane system may be saving energy but offers little flexibility when the system requires adjustment, e.g. when waste water quality is changing or fouling potential is increasing. Berghof is currently installing the latest BioPulse MBR systems at two major sites with zero liquid discharge requirements: The largest bio-ethanol project in Europe, is related to the production of the second generation bio-fuels and renewable energy. More than 95 % of the waste water resulting from the production process needs to be recycled (zero liquid discharge) into high-purity water. After two years of extensive pilot research a comprehensive treatment scheme has been designed which consists of anaerobic digestion, aerobic biological treatment in combination with Berghof tubular ultrafiltration (UF) products, a multi-stage, reverseosmosis plant and evaporation. The UF-design is based on the flexible, low energy Berghof BioPulse concept. Two identical UF lines are treating a total of 180 m/h of waste water and filtering it into 150 m/h purified UF permeate and 30 m/h concentrate. Each UF line is equipped with 72 ten inch, four meter long membrane modules based on 5 mm and 8 mm diameter backwashable, low energy PVDF membranes. The unique features are backwashable membranes with 8 mm diameter, making Berghof the only supplier of this technological feature. Berghof is also the sole producer of 10-inch 4 m long XL-modules, which enables its OEM-partners further savings in plant construction and footprint. The UF modules are operated at a very low variable velocity. With this flexibility Berghof is able to control fouling and produce the designed waste water amount under optimum conditions at any time. This is what Berghof customers have been asking for. The periodical cleaning of the PVDF membranes is carried out by backflushing. The particle-free UF permeate is further recycled into process water, using reverse osmosis and evaporation. The second BioPulse system is being installed at the largest solar-thermal power plant in North America. Due to critical fouling components in the feed water Berghofs customer has selected the robust and reliable, low energy BioPulse concept. A total of 6720 m/d of water will be treated in eight double skids. Each equipped with ten pieces 10-inch diameter 4 m long modules using 5 mm backwashable low energy PVDF Berghof membranes. Start-up is expected to be at the end of 2013. The next generation of BioPulse is already under development and will save operators ubiquitous adjustment activities. A joint development between Berghof Automation and Berghof Membrane Technology should lead to a smart, self-regulating BioPulse software program. The software, containing the entire Berghof membrane know-how gathered over the last 30 years, will do the fine tuning itself. The system will automatically anticipate process changes at any time. Berghof is convinced that this feature will lead to further savings for customers. The main focus is to support its partners in achieving an excellent reference on their projects.

Today Berghof Membrane Technology operates worldwide and has meanwhile over 500 successful operational references. In terms of technology Berghof envisions a further fast growth in the industrial market. The worldwide trend is towards a robust and reliable treatment with the most economical conditions for a wide range of industrial applications. In addition, Berghof focuses on the decentralized markets for containerized sewage treatment plants. The company is confident that their innovative compact BioPulse design will exactly meet the customers needs. Cost for sewer systems continue to rise and Berghofs membrane technology has been proven cost-effective all over the world. In 2004 Berghof started an exclusive partnership with TriHigh Membrane Technology as distributor for the Chinese market. TriHigh offers a fast and professional local OEM-service, which is the strength of Berghof. Today it covers over 75 % of the industrial market for sidestream technology in China. Markets in which Berghof is strongly represented are landfill leachate, oilfield, coal industry, fermentation, tobacco industry, mining, etc. This year Berghof Membrane Technology has expanded its focus on the Asia-Pacific market. The company is looking for new partners in the Asia-Pacific region and would love to share its know-how. Come and join Berghof! Contact: Eric Wildeboer, Managing Director Berghof Membrane Technology,

eric.wildeboer@berghof.com