What remote camps need
Occupancy can jump from a few dozen to hundreds in weeks. Operators may be generalists, and parts can take days to arrive. Treatment has to be compact, transportable, and simple to maintain, with effluent clean enough for discharge or dust-control reuse where allowed.
How MBR helps
MBR systems in containers or skids can be relocated as camps move. Filtrate quality stays steady during occupancy changes. Swing cartridges are light enough to handle without heavy equipment and ship and store dry, so a few spares can sit on site. See containerized plants.
Rent for the project term
For US camps with a defined lifespan, renting modules can match equipment to the project term; see rentals. Canadian camps can purchase; see Canada.
What operators look for
Operators at a remote work camp usually want the same things: effluent that consistently meets discharge or reuse limits, solids separation that does not depend on how well sludge settles, and predictable sewer charges. The feed usually carries domestic sewage from crews, kitchens and laundry, and the system has to cope with crew rotations, cold weather and limited operator time. With membranes, they also look for durable sheets, easy inspection and replacement on a schedule they can plan.
- Consistent, permit-ready effluent
- Manageable cleaning routines
- Planned, predictable membrane replacement
- A compact footprint
How flat-sheet MBR can help
A membrane bioreactor replaces the clarifier with a physical barrier, so effluent quality depends far less on how well the sludge settles. That can make a remote work camp system more forgiving of crew rotations, cold weather and limited operator time. Flat-sheet modules are generally easy to inspect, clean in place and handle without special tools.
Zyramic modules are built around three durability choices. Smaller membrane sheets flex less in service, which can mean less wear, and a damaged sheet takes less area out of service. Strong wide membrane welds are designed to resist delamination. A thick membrane, about 250 microns including support, is meant to stand up to solids and handling. Actual life and flux depend on pretreatment, design and operation, so we size each project individually.
More questions owners ask
Is an MBR hard to run at a remote work camp?
Most operators find a well-designed MBR manageable with routine checks and periodic cleaning. Good screening and equalization upstream make the biggest difference.
Can we try it before committing?
For US projects, rental and pilot modules may be available so you can test on your own wastewater.
Can your membranes go into our existing tank?
Often, yes. Replacement flat-sheet membranes fit many existing cassettes; send us drawings and we will check fit.
Worked sizing example
Take a 500-person work camp at about 26,417 gpd (100 m³/day):
| Item | US | Metric | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average flow | 26,417 gpd | 100 m³/day | about 18 gpm (4,167 L/h) |
| Design flux (gross) | 8.8 gfd | 15 LMH | Zyramic design guidance |
| Derate for relaxation and cleaning | ~20% | ~20% | |
| Net flux | ~7.1 gfd | ~12 LMH | |
| Membrane area needed | ~3,737 ft² | ~347 m² | average flow ÷ net flux |
| Swing-8 cartridges | ~28 | ~28 | 135 ft² (12.5 m²) each |
| Peak factor | ~2.0 | ~2.0 | |
| Peak flow | ~52,834 gpd | ~200 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
- Plan for peaks from batch and cleaning discharges
- Size equalization and pH control generously
- Keep fats, lint and solids upstream of the membrane tank
- Use pilot data to choose design flux
Next step
Industrial and special-purpose plants vary widely, so every first conversation starts with fact-finding. A few weeks of flow and lab data, even rough, makes our recommendation far more reliable. Where questions remain, a pilot or a measured first phase is a good way forward.
Sizing considerations
To give a useful recommendation we usually need:
- Peak and minimum occupancy
- Project duration
- Climate and freeze protection
- Discharge or reuse requirements
- Logistics and access
Most relevant product: Rentals. 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
Can modules be moved to the next camp?
Yes, modules can be removed and reinstalled.
Do cartridges need to stay wet in storage?
No, Swing sheets store dry.
Are rentals available in Canada?
Currently US only.
Who operates the plant?
Your contractor; we provide guidance.
Can treated water be reused at camp?
Where allowed, for uses like dust control or toilet flushing after disinfection.
How are solids handled?
Waste sludge is typically thickened and hauled, or treated on site, depending on the camp.