Biofiltration for pretreatment for water recycling with reverse osmosis systems
Biofiltration

ALMA BioFil Compact

The ALMA BioFil Compact uses special microorganisms to eliminate organic compounds. The use of activated clay beads as growth carriers creates a highly specialized and effective microorganism community. This biocoenosis is able to eliminate organic compounds down to very low concentrations.

Thanks to the special biocenosis, the process enables optimum pre-treatment for reverse osmosis systems (water reuse), for example for vapor condensates from the milk processing industry.
Technical data
Main applications
Water recycling,
Pre-treatment reverse osmosis,
Process water, vapor condensates
Volume of the lagoons
10 - 50 m³/h
COD reduction:
max. 95 %
Nitrogen reduction:
Max. 90 %

Your contacts for biofiltration systems

dominik_hoffmann_almawatech

Dominik Hoffmann

Head of Project Development

maksim_neuabauer_almawatech

Maksim Neubauer

Head of International Project Development

References biological filtration

Biological Fine Filtration as a Pretreatment for Water Reuse and Reverse Osmosis

The ALMA BioFil Compact reduces biodegradable organic residual loads and nitrogen compounds in process water and industrial wastewater. Specialized microorganisms grow on functionalized clay beads and form an active biocenosis. As a result, this biofiltration process is particularly well-suited as a stable pretreatment step prior to reverse osmosis systems and other advanced treatment stages.

Why Biofiltration Is Useful Before Reverse Osmosis

  • Reduction of Residual Organic Contaminants Bioavailable organic compounds are specifically degraded prior to downstream membrane treatment.
  • Reduction of Microbial Growth A lower nutrient load can limit the growth of microorganisms in reverse osmosis systems and process water systems.
  • High performance even at low loads The specialized biocenosis is also suitable for process water with low contaminant levels, such as vapor condensates from the food and dairy industries.
  • Compact Biological Treatment Stage The growing biomass enables a high level of biological activity within a comparatively small plant footprint.
  • Can be integrated into water reuse systems in a modular fashion Biofiltration can be combined with filtration, membrane processes, and other treatment stages to form a complete water recycling system.

How the ALMA BioFil Compact Works

1
Inflow and Equalization

The process water is fed into the biofiltration system under as uniform hydraulic and material conditions as possible;

2
Contact with the growth bodies

The water flows through a filter bed of functionalized clay beads, on the surface of which specialized microorganisms grow.

3
Biological Degradation

The sessile biomass breaks down dissolved organic compounds and, depending on the design, can also reduce nitrogen compounds.

4
Retention in the filter bed

Biomass and growth media remain in the system, while the biologically treated water leaves the filter stage.

5
Advanced Water Treatment

After biofiltration, the water can, for example, be sent to a fine filtration system or reverse osmosis system for water reuse.

When is the ALMA BioFil Compact particularly useful?

Pre-treatment for a reverse osmosis system
Water Recycling and On-Site Water Reuse
Steam condensate from dairies and food processing plants
Process water with low residual organic concentrations
Reduction of COD and nitrogen compounds
Limited floor space or modular expansion
10–50 m³/h Specified hydraulic performance range
up to 95% Specified maximum COD reduction
up to 90% Specified maximum nitrogen reduction

Typical Integration into a Water Reuse System

Process water

Steam condensate or other industrial water containing biodegradable residual contaminants.

ALMA BioFil Compact

Biological degradation of organic compounds and, depending on the design, nitrogen compounds.

Membrane Pretreatment

If necessary, additional fine filtration to reduce the load on the downstream membrane stage.

Reverse Osmosis and Water Reuse

Further treatment for on-site reuse of the treated water.

Downloads biofiltration system

Please contact our biofiltration specialist: E-Mail

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Get in touch with us!

dominik_hoffmann_almawatech

Dominik Hoffmann

Head of Project Development

maksim_neuabauer_almawatech

Maksim Neubauer

Head of International Project Development