MBR Sewage Treatment Plant

How the MBR System Works

Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) technology combines biological treatment and membrane filtration into a single, compact process. Unlike conventional sewage treatment plants that rely on secondary clarifiers and additional disinfection stages, the Oxymo MBR system achieves high-quality effluent in one integrated unit.

 

Step 1 — Screening & Pre-Treatment

Raw sewage enters the system and passes through a fine screen that removes large solids, rags, and debris. This protects the membranes downstream and reduces the organic load on the bioreactor.

Step 2 — Bioreactor (Biological Treatment)

Screened wastewater flows into the aeration tank, where a high concentration of microorganisms (activated sludge) breaks down dissolved organic matter — BOD, COD, ammonia, and nutrients — through aerobic digestion. The MBR system maintains a significantly higher Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids (MLSS) concentration than conventional systems, resulting in more efficient treatment in a smaller tank volume.

Step 3 — Membrane Filtration

Rather than settling in a clarifier, the treated mixed liquor is filtered directly through Oxymo’s PVDF hollow fiber or flat sheet MBR membranes. With a pore size of 0.01–0.1 μm, the membrane acts as an absolute barrier against suspended solids, bacteria, and most pathogens. The result is a consistently clear, high-quality permeate.

Step 4 — Permeate Discharge or Reuse

The filtered permeate exits the system with BOD < 10 mg/L, TSS < 5 mg/L, and turbidity < 1 NTU — meeting standards for irrigation reuse, toilet flushing, industrial cooling, and in some cases near-potable applications. The system is fully automated and can operate unattended.

 

Key Benefits

1. Superior Effluent Quality

Oxymo MBR membranes produce effluent that consistently meets and exceeds CPCB Class A and NGT discharge norms. The ultrafiltration barrier eliminates the need for secondary clarifiers and reduces reliance on chemical disinfection. Effluent is suitable for water reuse applications including landscaping, toilet flushing, and industrial processes.

2. 30–50% Smaller Footprint

The MBR process integrates biological treatment and filtration in a single compact unit. This makes it ideal for space-constrained sites: housing societies, hotels, hospitals, and urban commercial complexes where land cost is high and space is limited. Installation is faster, and the package system can often be containerised or installed below ground.

3. 5–8 Year Membrane Lifespan

Oxymo’s Embedded-Reinforced PVDF membranes are engineered for durability — with a stretching rate up to 300% and no fibre breakage under standard operating conditions. Membrane life is 5–8 years, reducing replacement frequency and total lifecycle cost compared to competing systems.

4. Lower Sludge Production

The higher biological activity in an MBR system results in lower excess sludge generation compared to conventional activated sludge processes. This directly reduces sludge disposal costs and the associated handling infrastructure.

5. Fully Automated, Low-Maintenance Operation

The Oxymo package MBR system is designed for continuous or intermittent operation with minimal operator intervention. Advanced control systems handle aeration, membrane backwashing, and alarm management automatically. This is particularly valuable for decentralised STPs in residential complexes, hotels, and remote installations where skilled operators are not on-site 24/7.

6. Modular and Scalable

Oxymo MBR systems are available from 1 KLD up to 500+ KLD and can be expanded by adding membrane modules or additional treatment trains. Scaling up does not require major civil construction — the modular design means additional capacity can be brought online quickly.

 

Applications

Oxymo MBR systems are deployed across a wide range of sectors in India and internationally:

• Residential housing societies and apartment complexes (STP mandate compliance under NGT and local authority norms)
• Hotels, resorts, and hospitality properties (zero-liquid discharge and water reuse)
• Hospitals and healthcare facilities (high pathogen removal, safe effluent)
• Municipal sewage treatment plants and decentralised STPs under AMRUT and Smart City Mission projects
• Industrial effluent treatment plants (ETP) — food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, textiles, paper, slaughterhouses
• Landfill leachate treatment
• Remote and containerised installations (mines, construction camps, defence sites)
• ZLD (Zero Liquid Discharge) systems and water reuse schemes

 

For housing societies specifically: NGT orders and local bye-laws in many Indian states now mandate on-site STPs for residential complexes above a specified size. Oxymo’s package MBR system is designed to meet CPCB Class A effluent standards and occupies the smallest possible footprint within your premises.

 

MBR vs Conventional STP — Side-by-Side Comparison

Still evaluating? Here is a direct comparison across ten key parameters:

 

Parameter	MBR System (Oxymo)	Conventional STP
Footprint	30–50% smaller	Large land requirement
Effluent Quality	High — meets reuse standards	Variable; secondary treatment only
Sludge Production	Lower	Higher
Membrane Filtration	Yes — 0.01–0.1 μm	No
Disinfection Needed	Minimal	Usually required
Automation	Fully automated, unattended	Requires operator supervision
Hydraulic Retention Time	Shorter	Longer
Expandability	Modular, easy to scale	Requires major civil works
Installation Time	Faster (package unit)	Longer construction timeline
Operating Cost	Lower long-term	Higher due to chemicals & labour

 

Why Choose Oxymo Technology?

There are dozens of MBR system suppliers. Here is what differentiates Oxymo:

 

15+ Years of Membrane Expertise

Oxymo Technology has specialised exclusively in ultrafiltration membrane research, development, and manufacturing for over 15 years. Our membranes are produced at our own facility in Foshan, Guangdong — giving us direct control over raw materials, manufacturing quality, and product consistency.

CE Certified Membranes | ISO 9001 & ISO 14001

Every Oxymo membrane is CE certified. Our manufacturing and operations are run to ISO 9001 (quality management) and ISO 14001 (environmental management) standards. These are not aspirational targets — they are audited and maintained across our production and service operations.

Patent-Backed Membrane Technology

Oxymo holds invention patents in several high-performance membrane products including MABR, flat sheet MBR, UF, and membrane distillation — developed in collaboration with universities and research institutions. This is proprietary technology, not off-the-shelf components.

Hundreds of Projects in 40+ Countries

We have designed, supplied, and commissioned hundreds of STP, WWTP, and WTP installations across approximately 40 countries — including projects in South Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Pacific. Our reference projects include municipal STPs, industrial ETPs, resort and hospitality installations, and remote containerised systems.

Full Project Lifecycle Support

Oxymo provides end-to-end support: process design and engineering, equipment supply, installation supervision, commissioning, operator training, and after-sales service. You are not buying a product from a catalogue — you are engaging a team that will see your project through from design to operation.

CPCB / NGT Compliance Expertise

For customers in India, our systems are designed to meet CPCB Class A effluent norms and NGT discharge guidelines. We understand the regulatory landscape for housing society STPs, industrial ETPs, and municipal treatment projects, and can support documentation for regulatory submissions.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do the membranes last?

Under standard operating conditions, Oxymo’s PVDF membranes have a service life of 5–8 years. Lifespan depends on influent quality, cleaning regime, and operating flux. Our engineering team will assess your specific conditions and advise on expected membrane replacement cycles and costs.

What is the capital cost of an MBR system compared to a conventional STP?

MBR systems typically have a higher upfront capital cost than conventional activated sludge systems of equivalent capacity. However, they recover this premium through lower land cost (30–50% smaller footprint), lower chemical consumption, lower sludge disposal costs, and the ability to reuse treated effluent — reducing fresh water procurement expenses. Total lifecycle cost of an MBR system is typically lower over a 10–15 year horizon. Contact us for a site-specific cost comparison.

Can the treated effluent be reused?

Yes. Oxymo MBR effluent meets the quality thresholds required for non-potable reuse applications including landscape irrigation, toilet flushing, vehicle washing, and industrial cooling water. In many installations this reuse offsets a significant proportion of fresh water consumption. Specific reuse suitability depends on local regulatory requirements and end-use standards.

How much maintenance does the system require?

The Oxymo package MBR system is designed for low-maintenance, automated operation. Routine tasks include periodic membrane cleaning (chemical cleaning every 3–6 months depending on influent), physical inspection, and consumable replacement. The system can operate unattended for extended periods and includes alarm and monitoring systems. Oxymo provides maintenance contracts and operator training.

What is the minimum and maximum capacity available?

Oxymo MBR systems are available from 1 KLD for small decentralised applications up to 500+ KLD for larger municipal and industrial projects. Modular design allows capacity to be expanded without major civil works. Custom configurations are available — contact our engineering team with your flow rate and effluent quality requirements.

How long does installation take?

For package MBR units, installation and commissioning typically takes 2–6 weeks depending on site conditions and system size. The package format eliminates most on-site civil construction and allows faster mobilisation compared to conventional treatment plants. Oxymo provides full installation supervision and commissioning support.

Is the system suitable for housing society STP mandates in India?

Yes. Oxymo MBR systems are well-suited to housing society STP requirements under NGT orders and state-level regulations. The compact footprint minimises space demand within the premises, the automated operation reduces the need for a dedicated full-time operator, and the effluent quality meets CPCB Class A norms required for on-site reuse. We can support your documentation requirements for local authority submissions.