Capital cost drivers
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Design flux | a higher flux assumption means less area, but may shorten life and raise cleaning frequency. |
| Membrane material and pore size | PVDF, PES and ceramic differ in durability and price. |
| Frame and materials | stainless steel, plastics and fittings. |
| Domestic-content requirements | funding rules can affect sourcing. |
| Retrofit fit | modules that fit existing tanks avoid civil work. |
Lifecycle cost drivers
Over the life of a plant, membrane replacement, cleaning chemicals, energy and labor often exceed the first purchase. A membrane that lasts longer, can be replaced in sections and is easy to inspect can cost less over time even if its first price is not the lowest. Ask suppliers about replacement cost and lead time, warranty terms and whether you can buy replacements from more than one source.
Ways Zyramic aims to lower lifecycle cost
Swing cartridges are replaced individually rather than as whole modules, our membranes are thick (about 250 microns) and joined with strong wide membrane welds designed to resist delamination, and our Poughkeepsie shop makes replacement flat-sheet membranes that fit many existing cassettes. Rentals let US owners test before committing.
| Mild backwash (special cases only) |
|---|
| Backwashing is not a standard Swing operating mode and is not meant for routine use. Swing has been pressure-tested to 14.5 psi (1 bar) and held without breaking. If a site is in a bind even after relaxation and CIP, contact us; we may be able to work out a special mild-backwash procedure. |
Worked sizing example
Take a 264,172 gpd (1,000 m³/day) project comparing quotes:
| Item | US | Metric | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average flow | 264,172 gpd | 1,000 m³/day | about 183 gpm (41,667 L/h) |
| Design flux (gross) | 11.8 gfd | 20 LMH | Zyramic design guidance |
| Derate for relaxation and cleaning | ~20% | ~20% | |
| Net flux | ~9.4 gfd | ~16 LMH | |
| Membrane area needed | ~28,031 ft² | ~2,604 m² | average flow ÷ net flux |
| Swing-8 cartridges | ~209 | ~209 | 135 ft² (12.5 m²) each |
| Peak factor | ~2.0 | ~2.0 | |
| Peak flow | ~528,344 gpd | ~2,000 m³/day | extra area, short-term higher flux, or equalization |
This is an illustration only; a real design also checks temperature, MLSS, redundancy and the cleaning schedule.
Tips for a smooth project
- Look for the root cause before increasing cleaning strength
- Use temperature-corrected permeability when judging membranes
- Check screens for bypasses after storms
- Plan replacements ahead of permit deadlines
Next step
Membrane issues are easiest to resolve early. Send your trend data, cleaning records and a few photos, and we will give you our read on whether to focus on pretreatment, biology, operation or the membranes themselves, and a sensible next step, whether that is a change in procedure, a partial replacement or interim capacity.
Sizing considerations
To give a useful recommendation we usually need:
- Design flows and peaks
- Effluent limits
- Retrofit or new build
- Funding source and any domestic-content requirements
- Expected replacement interval
Most relevant product: Swing MBR. See also replacement membranes, rentals and how to choose.
Why engineers look at Zyramic flat-sheet modules
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Smaller sheets, less wear and tear | each sheet flexes less in service, and a damaged unit affects less area. |
| Strong wide membrane welds | designed to resist delamination over the membrane's life. |
| Thick, robust membrane | about 250 microns including support. |
| Assembled in Poughkeepsie, NY | of domestic and imported components. In our Poughkeepsie shop we cut and weld membrane sheets to plates, build module frames and assemble complete modules. For funded projects, tell us your domestic-content requirements and we'll review what we can document. |
| Buy, rent or replace | new modules, rentals and pilots for US projects, and replacement membranes that fit many existing cassettes. |
Performance and life depend on pretreatment, design flux and operation; flux figures are Zyramic design guidance, sized to each project.
Frequently asked questions
Why don't you publish prices?
Cost depends on area, configuration and project terms, so we quote each project. We usually reply within one business day.
Is cost per square meter a fair comparison?
Only partly. Compare lifecycle cost, including replacement and cleaning.
Are replacements cheaper than new modules?
Usually, because the frame and cassette are reused.
Can I get a budgetary quote?
Yes, with basic flow and feed data.
Do domestic-content rules affect cost?
They can narrow the product choice. Tell us your domestic-content requirements and we'll review what we can document before quoting.
How do I compare two quotes fairly?
Normalize to the same design flux and temperature, and compare replacement cost, warranty, cleaning chemicals and energy over the plant life.