[     Business case listing ](/en/case-studies "  Business case listing")



 

 

 

#### The Client

  
Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies South Africa (Pty) Ltd (VWS) was awarded the contract by Woodlands Dairy (Pty) Ltd to provide a viable processing solution for their growing process effluent stream. The facility contains a milk sterilisation and packaging plant as well as a cheese factory. All process effluent is sent to a combined effluent sump. Effluent specifications from this combined effluent sump are given below.

| **Feed Rate** | **pH** | **TCOD** | **COD Load** |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1500 m³/day | 12 | 10 g/l | 15 t/day |



#### The Solution

  
VWT proposed a resource recovery plant (RRP) capable of processing 1.5 MLD, which will later be upgraded to 2 MLD. The RRP will make use of Biothane’s state of the art [Memthane ](/en/memthane "Memthane®")technology, capable of removing >95% of effluent COD.

A piloting study was performed to provide a effluent specific treatment facility, ensuring product performance and client satisfaction.



 

 

 



#### Process Description

  
The Memthane® technology combines anaerobic biological treatment and membrane separation to provide a innovative and environmentally friendly waste water processing system. This process maximizes COD and TSS removal, minimizes disposal costs and generates methane rich bio-gas.  
Memthane® delivers a significant total operating cost reduction compared to conventional technologies, taking into account all elements, including membranes, chemicals, sludge disposal and overall energy savings. The system is simplistic and fully automated.

   ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2476/files/styles/default/public/image/2019/02/Memthane-diagram.jpg.webp?itok=Bw_R3AhR)   



#### Pilot Plant Performance

   ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2476/files/styles/default/public/image/2019/02/Memthane-performance.jpg.webp?itok=i9AKbQYW)   





 

 

 



 

 

**Location**

The facility is situated in Humansdorp, Eastern Cape on the eastern seaboard of South Africa.

**Key Figures**

- High COD loading
- ̴ 15 ton COD/day
- Growing effluent demand
- Long-chain organics present in effluent
- Achieving plant effluent concentrations below municipal standards
- > 95% conversion