Koch Membrane to supply Puron system for drinking water plant expansion in Brazil

The Puron 1500, from Koch Membrane Systems.
The Puron 1500, from Koch Membrane Systems.

The ETA Eng Rodolfo José da Costa e Silva drinking water treatment plant produces drinking water using conventional technology (coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, sand filtration and chlorine disinfection) for a population of more than five million people.

In 2014, the plant installed and started-up the first ultrafiltration drinking water system in South America which also used Koch Membrane Systems’ Puron HF membranes.

This new project is designed to double the treatment capacity of the existing ultrafiltration system from 23 MGD (3600 m3/hr) to 46 MGD (7200 m3/hr).

“Given the ongoing drought conditions in São Paulo and other areas of Brazil, the availability of safe drinking water for the growing population is a critical issue for the city and the country as a whole,” explained Sergio Ribeiro, commercial director – South America for Koch Membrane Systems. “At the same time as demand is increasing, so are the requirements for water quality. Concurrently, water treatment facilities are forced to draw on more challenging raw water sources. Given this combination of challenges, the Puron reinforced hollow fibre with its high solids tolerance and robust operations capability is an ideal solution.”