Membrane Leachate Plant Handover

According to Jürgen von Hollen, Managing Director of Norit X-Flow, the ISTAÇ Leachate Treatment project represents one of the most challenging filtration projects globally, based upon its size, environmental conditions and continuous growth rates. The solution had to be robust, future-proof and deliver consistently the highest effluent quality levels to ensure the environmental integrity of the region.

After approximately two years of operation and treating up to 3500 m3 of landfill water percolate on a daily basis the conclusion is that the plant meets its specifications and contractual requirements for discharge of the treated effluent. ISTAÇ and Norit X-Flow celebrated the official handover and the successful partnership on 17th August 2010.

Water percolating through landfills for solid waste results in leachate, which may contain undesirable or toxic chemicals. The ISTAÇ landfill is constructed to prevent leachate contamination of groundwater or surface waters. The landfill percolate containing high amounts of COD, BOD, TSS and Nitrogen is collected and treated by Norit's membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology which makes it possible to discharge this water directly into the Black Sea, a process that is in line with both current and future drainage standards.

Beside its state of the art MBR technology, the wastewater treatment plants in Istanbul uses a combination of two advanced Norit X-Flow technologies: a biological process applied in conjunction with ultrafiltration followed by nanofiltration.

The collected leachate is first subjected to primary clarification and afterwards transferred to a bioreactor unit for biological treatment. In the bioreactor COD, BOD and Nitrogen compounds are eliminated. Subsequently the Norit X-Flow Crossflow membrane system, placed outside of the bioreactor, separates sludge, solid waste on suspension and some amount of COD. Lastly, the Norit NF installation eliminates the remaining COD, organic micro polluters, heavy metals and other compounds (humic acids, colour) to a water quality conform current and future discharge standards.

Mr. Akguel, Managing Director of ISTAÇ adds that the success of the project beyond the technological solution can be attributed to the project partnership approach adopted by both ISTAÇ and Norit X-Flow both at the operational level, but equally important at the management level to ensure that full commitment and prioritisation was given to this project. Our continuous partnership will ensure that this installation is the benchmark for landfill leachate plants for years to come.