Integrated Biological Reverse Osmosis Membrane
A breakthrough in the science of water treatment
August, 2013
Topics
 System Overview
 Bio-filtration
 Reverse Osmosis
 Why SIBROM is best available technology (BAT)
 Superior water quality metrics
 The advantages of Biologically stable water
 Economics
SIBROM = Sapphire Integrated Biological Reverse Osmosis Membrane
 Three key processes;
1) Biological Filtration
2) Reverse Osmosis Membrane Filtration
3) pH adjustment
SIBROM = Sapphire Integrated Biological Reverse Osmosis Membrane
 Bio-filtration
 Employs indigenous micro-organisms & natural metabolic processes to purify water
 Conditions conducive to the growth of specific bacterial populations are maintained
within bio-filters.

Biological filtration processes occur at a rate 10,000 times greater than in nature
 Contaminants removed biologically are either nutrients or energy sources for the
bacterial populations
 Some contaminants are consumed or remain within the biomass


i.e., Fe2+ , , NH4+
Others are transformed into compounds ideally suited to removal by the RO
membranes

i.e, Mn2+ to Mn3+ As3+ to As5+
 Downstream heterotrophic plate count in treated water is < 2/ml
 Canadian guideline is < 500/ml
SIBROM Contaminant Removal Summary
Bio-filters
 Iron
RO Membranes
 Arsenic
 Manganese & any remaining
ammonium and arsenic ions
 Ammonium
 Dissolved Organic Carbon
 Phosphorus
 Any remaining particles
 Bioavailable DOC
 Dissolved solids:
 Turbidity
 Sulphide
 Methane
Calcium
 Magnesium
 Sulphates
 nitrates

SIBROM = Sapphire Integrated Biological Reverse Osmosis Membrane
Ceramic Filtration Material FILTRALITE
Filtration material within the bio-reactors looks like
coffee grounds
Branded Filtralite, this media provides “5 Star Hotel
Rooms” for bio-film forming bacteria
By providing the right conditions, iron bacteria will
remove iron, nitrifying bacteria will oxidize
ammonium etc.
Bacteria Attached to filtration material
Why SIBROM is The Best Available Technology
1) Superior water quality by any water quality standard
2) Biologically Stable Water
3) Non-Corrosive inorganically stable water
4) DOC removal below detection limits
5) Reduced dissolved gases removed
6) Favorable economics
Typical SIBROM Water Quality Results
Highlighted compounds represent bacterial nutrients or energy sources treated in the Bio-filters
Parameter
Alkalinity (mg/L)
Aluminum (mg/L)
Ammonium-N (mg/L)
Arsenic (mg/L)
Barium
Boron (mg/L)
Calcium (mg/L)
Chloride (mg/L)
Free Chlorine (mg/L)
Copper (mg/L)
Dissolved Organic Carbon (mg/L)
Fluoride (mg/L)
Iron (mg/L)
Hardness (mg/L)
Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC)
Lead (mg/L)
Magnesium (mg/L)
Manganese (mg/L)
Nitrate-N (mg/L)
pH
Phosphate (mg/L)
Redox (ORP) (mV)
Selenium (mg/L)
Silicon (mg/L)
Sodium (mg/L0
Strontium (mg/L)
Sulphate (mg/L)
Temperature (˚C)
Total dissolved solids (mg/L)
Turbidity (for raw water, turbidity after aeration)
Zinc (mg/L)
Guideline value
Yellow Quill Yellow Quil
Raw Water Tap Water
<500 (SK)
460
77
<0.1 (operational)
<0.005
<0.005
<5 (EU)
4.7
<0.05
<0.010
0.017
<0.002
1
0.007
0.001
<5
0.76
0.52
<100 (EU)
270
23
<250
46
45
>0.20
>0.30
<1
0.014
0.028
<5 (SDWF)
11
<0.5
<1.5
0.18
<0.05
<0.3 (AO)
8.49
0.032
<800 (SK)
1086
76
<500 ct/mL
<2
<0.01
<0.002
<0.002
<200
100
4.6
<0.05 (AO)
0.25
0.006
<10
<0.04
0.52
6.5-8.5
7.5
7.1
No guideline
0.23
<0.01
No guideline
<150
720
<0.01
<0.005
<0.005
No guideline
11.8
0.40
<200 (SK <300) (AO)
230
6.0
No guideline
1.17
0.044
<500 (AO)
110
5.9
<15 (AO)
<6
<10
<500 (SK <1,500) (AO)
2130
90
<0.3
102
<0.005
<5
<0.005
<0.005
Biologically Stable Water
• All microbial nutrients and energy sources are removed from SIBROM treated water
• Prevents downstream bio-fouling in:
•
RO membranes
•
Reservoirs
•
Distribution systems
Best Available Technology
Non-Corrosive inorganically stable water
 RO treatment yields water with a <pH 6 which is highly corrosive
 Corrosive water can leach out copper and lead from distribution pipes
 Re-adjustment of the pH is accomplished in a proprietary SIBROM mineral contactor
employing calcium & magnesium carbonate salts
DOC removal below detection limits
 DOC reacts with chlorine and forms disinfection by-products many of which are
carcinogenic

i.e.trihalomethanes
 Removal of dissolved organics improves the effectiveness of chlorination
 Typically Cl usage with SIBROM treated water is reduced by 90%
Reduced dissolved gases removed
 Methane
 Hydrogen Sulphide
Environmentally sustainable process
 Employs indigenous mico-organisms
 No pretreatment chemicals required
 RO concentrate is environmentally benign
Economic Benefits
 Lower chemical costs
 Lower Cl dosages
 Low antiscalent required
 Reduced Backwashing
 95% reduction in water used
 Reduced reservoir cleaning
 Coin test
 Extended membrane life
 Reduced membrane replacement
 Eliminates cleaning costs
 Reduced labour costs
 Backwashing
 Minimal operator interventions
 Continuous process
 Remote monitoring and intervention control systems

Designed and manufactured by SWI
Conclusion
 SIBROM = BAT
 Conforms to the most rigorous water quality standards in the world
 Proven Technology
 15 Full Scale WTPs in operation by the end of 2013
 Proven Economics
 Reliable Manufacturer
 Financially stable
 Solid track record
Integrated Biological Reverse Osmosis Membrane
A breakthrough in the science of water treatment
August, 2013