Where are OxyMem systems currently installed?


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How long do the MABR membranes last?


How can the OxyMem system operate at such low pressures?


Which effluents can be treated with OxyMem MABR?

Any that are biologically degradable.

How can I try OxyMem MABR?


We have lab scale offerings, mini MABRs for field use, and large-scale packaged systems for onsite demonstration. 

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What type of membranes do OxyMem use?

OxyMem manufactures its own membranes.


Why did you choose to use PDMS membranes?

PDMS membranes are ideal for gas transferring application as they have no pores. They have high gas permeability, are easy to manufacture and are robust.


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Why are there no bubbles in the MABR aeration process?

The MABR does not rely on bubbles to deliver oxygen.


Which application is the MABR best suited?


- Energy neutrality is a goal    
- Sludge disposal is a challenge / costly    
- Existing treatment system is overloaded    
- Nitrification is a challenge    
- Asset can no longer meet consent    
- Existing asset (tank) needs to be upgraded    
- Footprint is limited


Can the system be retrofitted into an existing plant?


What are the specifications of OxyMem's MABR?


Material                                        Stainless Steel 
Length                                            2.1 m 
Width                                              1.05 m 
Height                                             2.1 m 
Weight (Dry)                                   950 kg
                                          4 m³ 
Membrane Surface Area              2200 m²
Specific Surface Area                   490 m²/m³

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Why are reactors to be installed in series? What is the CAPEX/performance corresponding?

By installing the reactors in series more effective treatment and use of the reactors will be achieved. Also, it allows for better management of the air being supplied (similar to long activates sludge tanks where more air is supplied to the beginning of the tank). There will not be any significant change in CAPEX but there will be an increase in performance.

What is the minimum and maximum flow for which MABR is designed?

There is no technical minimum or maximum, but we are most interested in perusing opportunities greater than 50m3/day.

Do you have a single or two reactors in series?

This depends on the effluent quality required. If it is a standalone OxyMem MABR system we typically design with three reactors in series to achieve N-NH4 concentrations of less than 1mg/l. If the OxyMem system is being deployed as an additional aeration capacity, then it can be added to any aerobic part of the current treatment process.

How many days does it take to build up the biofilm?

This will depend on many variables as with any biological system, Temperature, nature of wastewater, pH but typically 14-60 days.

How much membrane is needed?




What are the OxyMem cleaning and storage procedures?


If the aeration demand increases how will the oxygen transfer be maintained to prevent the system turning anaerobic?



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How do you control the thickness of the biofilm?


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How do you perform desludging?

Sludge is allowed to settle in the bottom of the tank and removed using a simple removal system. This sludge is very settable with a concentration of up to 10g/l. In a Retrofit installation, the excess biofilm would form part of the MLSS and be removed (i.e. no changes are required to the sludge removal system).

How does the full scale system control the sludge level inside the membrane tanks?

The package plant system has a sludge removal system built into the base of the tank, and we periodically desludge to minimise the build-up of sludge.

At what maximum temperature has the system been tested?

The system has been tested up to 30°C.

We can have the temperature up to 50°-69°C in summer, or for industrial water when the wastewater contains a high concentration of food residues. If the temperature is high, the OTE increases, but the behaviour of bacteria changes. Above 40°C, the bacteria stop working.

How often is biofilm thickness measured?

The frequency of biofilm measurement can be adjusted to site requirements so that as the system operates it only measures the biofilm when it expects a clean to be required. Maximum frequency will be once a day.

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How do you control the amount of flow that is distributed to each process train?

The flow to the unit will be sent to a splitter box which will divide the flow equally between the two process trains.


What is the typical sludge yield in an OxyMem MABR?


How long do the MABR membranes last?


How much Oxygen can be delivered to the wastewater?


Does phosphate removal occur?


What is the system's denitrification efficiency?


Learn more about our simultaneous nitrification and denitrification

Find more information. Read our Case Study.



This will require extra Oxygen to break down the FOG and reduce the volume of wastewater that can be treated. Therefore, it is preferable to remove FOG in advance of secondary treatment if possible.

How to improve the diffusion of wastewater with ammonia into the biofilm lower layer close to the membrane?

This has to do with mixing intensity and concentration in the reactor; ammonia diffuses faster into the biofilm as it is a smaller molecule, but this is classic mass transfer.

Learn More about mass transfers:

Conventional Systems Vs MABR

Is there a mixing process inside the tank to improve water diffusion through the solids over the membranes?

Yes. There is a Module integrated mixing system to move water over the surface of the membranes and improve diffusion of nutrients into the biofilm.

How resistant is OxyMem MABR to COD peaks? Is the COD fully treated in that case?

If there is a COD peak in the inlet then it is most likely that the COD in the outlet will rise, but with the OxyMem MABR system constantly monitoring the off-gas from the process a COD peak will result in a change in off-gas, therefore more air can be sent to the OxyMem Module for complete COD oxidation.


How flexible is OxyMem MABR if an acidic influent is injected? Is the biofilm affected or does it resist?

The biofilm in OxyMem MABR is the same as any other biofilm, difficult to get rid of.  Therefore, if there is a shock load of acid in the influent, then it will kill the outer layers of the biofilm, but because the inner layers are protected, once the outer layers slough off the biofilm will regrow again quickly. Additionally, the inner layers will continue working.

How flexible is Oxymem regarding the flow of input (higher/lower volumes) including storm water?

As OxyMem is a biofilm system there is no risk of biomass washout from the reactor. If there is a higher flow rate then the wastewater will have less time in contact with the membranes and the biofilm (reduced HRT) and it may not be treated as effectively as at normal flow. During stormwater events, the wastewater is typically at lower concentrations and therefore the percentage of treatment may not be required. At low flow rates, OxyMem MABR will achieve an improved performance as there is a much higher HRT.

What is the maximum MLSS concentration possible in your design?

We do not typically design with MLSS as we are growing a biofilm on the membranes, therefore a standalone OxyMem MABR system will have a TSS of less than 100mg/l.

In IFAS MABR configuration (OxyFAS) we can operate with MLSS concentrations of over 4000mg/l.

Need more information? Use our resources page to learn more.

Use our resources page to search for the information you need. You will find a wealth of Case Studies, Videos, Articles and Whitepapers to learn about the next generation of aeration.

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