What thin-film flat sheet is
Thin-film composite membranes are thin, flexible flat sheets that pack densely in a module. Swing uses PVDF or PVDF plus graphene thin-film composite sheets with a permanently wetted dry film, so cartridges ship and store dry. Pore size is 0.04 µm UF as standard, with 0.4 µm MF available.
Custom sizing: we cut, weld and assemble in Poughkeepsie, NY, so cartridge and module sizes can often be tailored to your existing tanks. Tell us your tank dimensions, or see custom sizes.
How Swing compares
The table summarizes where Swing's design choices differ from a typical thin-film module.
| Feature | Typical thin-film module | Zyramic Swing |
|---|---|---|
| Replacement unit | Often a large panel or full module | Replace a cartridge quickly: swap one 135 ft² (12.5 m²) cartridge in minutes without pulling the whole module |
| Owner maintenance | Often lifted as a full module for service | Surface servicing: sheets stay sealed in their small, cost-effective cartridge, so you swap the whole cartridge quickly, in minutes, in-house with basic tools and little downtime |
| Spacing | Varies by design | Sheets installed at 0.16 or 0.31 in (4 or 8 mm) centers |
| Sheet size | Often large sheets | Small sheets that flex less, for less wear and tear |
| Edge seal | Varies by design | Strong wide membrane welds, designed to resist delamination |
| Membrane thickness | Varies | Thick, about 250 microns including support, for robust service |
| Scaling up | Fixed module sizes | Decks × columns, from 135 ft² (12.5 m²) to about 11,900 ft² (1,104 m²) per module |
| Storage | Often kept wet | Ships and stores dry |
| Cleaning | Varies | Relaxation and reverse-flow CIP; backwash is not a routine mode |
| Mild backwash (special cases only) | Varies | Pressure-tested to 14.5 psi (1 bar) and held without breaking; if a site is in a bind after relaxation and CIP, contact us about a special mild-backwash procedure |
Results depend on pretreatment, design flux and operation.
Phased capacity with Swing
Because Swing modules are built from standard cartridges, you can start with the area you need today and add cartridges or modules as flows grow. See the Swing MBR page for sizes and drawings, and thin film vs plate for how Swing compares with plate membranes.
| 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 79,252 gpd (300 m³/day) plant starting with phase-one capacity:
| Item | US | Metric | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average flow | 79,252 gpd | 300 m³/day | about 55 gpm (12,500 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 | ~8,409 ft² | ~781 m² | average flow ÷ net flux |
| Swing-8 cartridges | ~63 | ~63 | 135 ft² (12.5 m²) each |
| Peak factor | ~2.0 | ~2.0 | |
| Peak flow | ~158,503 gpd | ~600 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
- Compare modules on lifecycle, not area alone
- Plan how replacement parts will be sourced later
- Allow room for handling and inspection
- Check cassette dimensions before ordering replacements
Next step
A good way to see which design choices matter most for your plant is to look at your own maintenance history. Tell us what has needed attention in the past, and we will explain which of our options fits it best.
Sizing considerations
To give a useful recommendation we usually need:
- Average and peak flows
- Tank dimensions
- Effluent limits
- Current membrane type, if retrofitting
- Schedule
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
How quickly can a Swing cartridge be replaced?
A single cartridge can be swapped in minutes without pulling the whole module; a full module breakdown takes about two hours.
Does Swing fit existing tanks?
Often. Send tank dimensions and we will propose a layout.
Can I rent Swing modules?
Yes, for US projects.
Do Swing membranes need to stay wet?
No. The permanently wetted dry film lets cartridges ship and store dry.