According to GE, the cost and efficiency savings of the GE LEAPmbr system compared to existing GE MBR technologies include:
- A minimum 30% reduction in energy costs;
- A 15% improvement in productivity (greater water-treatment capacity);
- A 50% reduction in membrane aeration equipment and controls, leading to a simpler design with lower construction, installation and maintenance costs;
- A 20% reduction in physical footprint leading to further reduced construction and installation costs as well as lower ongoing consumption of cleaning chemicals.
“In developing this major new product, we knew energy costs and reduced operating budgets would be key customer concerns because we face the same challenges ourselves. Moreover, because MBR technology is increasingly displacing conventional wastewater treatment methods, operational simplicity is key for those who are new to MBR; and for customers who are space-constrained, a compact footprint is a make-or-break proposition. Our LEAPmbr system addresses all of those issues,” said Jeff Connelly, vice president, engineered systems—water and process technologies for GE Power & Water.