Neste

Biofuel

Customer: Neste
Location: Maasvlakte
Activity: Biodiesel production

Neste transformed its conventional SBR installation into a Membrane Bioreactor. The reason was poor sludge sedimentation due to wastewater characteristics. 

At the Maasvlakte, Neste produces biodiesel as a fuel for aircraft, based on both vegetable and animal oils/fats.

Acquiring of Septo’s membrane installation was initially intended as an extensive research project.  Neste wanted to make sure that they could indeed solve their problems with membranes. The results turned out to be even better than expected. They are now able to discharge clear water without sludge particles. At the same time, they noticed an increase of purification rates. The membranes having positively influenced its efficiency, with low COD effluent as result.

Thanks to these results and high membrane yield; Neste can now treat their entire wastewater flow with the pilot plant. The membrane installation is integrated into the production process and functions as a full-scale MBR application.