s i biological reverse osmosis … sapphire integrated biological reverse osmosis membrane (sibrom)...

Calgary | Humboldt | Watson

[email protected] www.sapphire-water.ca 1 866 221 2983

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SAPPHIRE INTEGRATED BIOLOGICAL REVERSE OSMOSIS MEMBRANE

IBROMTECHNICAL DISCUSSION OF BIOLOGICAL WATER TREATMENT


• Removes Fe, Mn, As, and NH3 without the use of chemicals

• Biological pretreatment produces biologically stable water (no nutrients or energy sources for bacteria), minimizing the need for membrane cleanings and chemicals

• Biologically stable water ensures treated water reservoirs and distribution systems will not become overburdened with biofilm-forming bacteria, or become repositories for debris

• Reduces reservoir and distribution system cleaning

• Reduces chlorine required for disinfection and antiscalant by up to 90% each compared to traditional systems such as manganese greensand/RO

• Reduces amount of water used for backwashing by up to 95%

• Does not require chemical regeneration or media replacement

• Lowers labor costs due to advanced automation

• Less fouling and fewer cleanings greatly extends membrane life, allowing us to offer a 5+5 (5-yr full replacement + 5 yr prorated) membrane warranty

REDUCES COSTS, DECREASES CHEMICAL CONSUMPTION, EXTENDS SYSTEM LIFE

* as of August 2018

16.2 million m3 280,000 m3 9,300 m3

IN TOTAL PER MONTH PER DAY

HOW MUCH WATER IS TREATED BY SIBROM SYSTEMS IN CANADA?*

With highly brackish well water, the community of Yellow Quill First Nation in Saskatchewan was struggling to find a cost-effective way to provide residents with safe drinking water. In 2002, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) reached out to water treatment expert Dr. Hans Peterson to solve the problem.

Over the course of 21 months, Dr. Peterson conducted an exhaustive on-site study of different water treatment processes. By testing different combinations of technologies, Dr. Peterson discovered that the most effective method of purifying Yellow Quill’s water was biological filtration followed by reverse osmosis (RO). He labelled this process as Integrated Biological Reverse Osmosis Membrane (IBROM).

Commercialized as the Sapphire Integrated Biological Reverse Osmosis Membrane (SIBROM), over 20 systems have been installed at remote First Nations communities throughout Canada, providing clean drinking water to thousands of people.

PROVEN TECHNOLOGY THROUGH YEARS OF OPERATION

The robust SIBROM water treatment system employs a multi-stage filter design to produce biologically stable water

14.4 m3/hour SIBROM system with 3 biological filtration tanks at the Saulteaux First Nation in Saskatchewan. A Sapphire Water technician commissioning the 9.1 m3/hour SIBROM facility at the Village of Mankota in 2018.

How it WorksThe Sapphire Integrated Biological Reverse Osmosis Membrane (SIBROM) is a robust water treatment system effective at treating extremely poor quality water. Successfully implemented in 20 sites across Western Canada, the SIBROM produces biologically stable water containing no energy sources or nutrients to support downstream microbial growth. This ensures treated water reservoirs and distribution systems will not become overburdened with debris, and minimizes the need for membrane cleanings and chemicals.

SIBROM systems have been in operation for over 14 years in western Canada, and as of August 2018, they have turned 16.2 million m3 of the harshest water into potable water - the quality of which has consistently met or exceeded the Canadian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines (CDWQG).

There are 3 treatment phases in a SIBROM system:

Typical SIBROM PFDPhase 1: Biological Filtration Phase 2: RO Filtration Phase 3: pH Adjustment

Biofilter Tank 3(if needed)

Biofilter Tank 2Biofilter Tank 1

RO Membrane Treatment Unit A

RO Membrane Treatment Unit B

Treated Water

Raw Water

pH Adjustment

Phase 1, Biofilter tanks at Sapphire Water’s SIBROM system at Mistawasis First Nation, Saskatchewan. Phase 2 RO filtration in the foreground, Phase 3 pH adjustment in the background.

Phase 1: Biological FiltrationDuring Phase 1, naturally occurring bacteria are employed in large numbers to purify water through natural metabolic processes. Conditions conducive to optimize the health and growth of specific bacterial populations are maintained within a series of bio-filters. These filters contain Filtralite®, a ceramic media that provides a large surface area to house the bacteria. The bacteria attach to the media and form a biofilm that oxidizes contaminants such as iron, manganese, arsenic, ammonium, and hydrogen sulphide.

To be biologically removed from the raw water in a SIBROM system, contaminants must be either nutrients or energy sources for the bacteria employed. Some contaminants are consumed by the bacteria, while others are transformed into compounds that are more readily removed by the RO membranes.

Phase 2: RO FiltrationNext, the biologically treated water is pumped through a series of tight, spiral wound, Reverse Osmosis (RO) membranes for further purification.

Contaminants that were not removed by the biological filters, such as any remaining particles, dissolved solids, dissolved organic carbon, and any remaining manganese, iron, ammonium, and arsenic, are now eliminated. The result is highly purified, biologically stable water.

Phase 3: pH AdjustmentRO treatment can yield water with a low pH level, which is corrosive to pipes in the distribution system. In Phase 3, the treated water undergoes pH adjustment, adjusting the pH to 7 or higher and making the water non-corrosive.

The entire process produces a consistent source of tasty, healthy, highly purified, biologically stable water that conforms to the highest water quality standards.


3. pH Adjustment 2. RO Filtration1. Biological Filtration

In some cases, Phase 1- biolofical filtration is all that is required to produce safe, clean water.


Parameter Feed Bio- FiltrateMembrane Permeate

Removal Using Bio- Filters

Removal Using Membrane

Iron (Fe) (mg/L) 3.390 0.002 0.000 99.93% 99.99%

Manganese (Mn) (mg/L) 1.417 1.350 0.012 4.71% 99.15%

Arsenic (As) (µg/L) 50.667 2.200 0.000 95.66% 100.00%

Phosphorus (P) (mg/L) 0.147 0.000 0.000 100.00% 100.00%

Ammonia (N) (mg/L) 1.400 0.170 0.003 87.86% 99.76%

One of the first communities to implement a SIBROM, George Gordon First Nation’s existing greensand system was retrofitted with a SIBROM system in 2005. The system configuration consists of 4 biological filters, in series, followed by reverse osmosis membrane treatment. The system effectively treats a difficult well water source high in arsenic, iron, and manganese, and has saved the community $100,000/year in reduced membrane replacements.




Iron (Fe) (mg/L) 4.085 0.001 0.001 99.97% 99.99%

Manganese (Mn) (mg/L) 0.218 0.004 0.000 98.33% 100.00%

Arsenic (As) (µg/L) 11.350 0.345 0.000 96.96% 100.00%

Phosphorus (P) (mg/L) 0.340 0.000 0.000 100.00% 100.00%

Ammonia (N) (mg/L) 2.170 0.050 0.000 97.70% 100.00%

Saulteaux First Nation uses a well water source that has high concentrations of ammonia, arsenic, iron, and manganese, typical of Saskatchewan well water. In 2014, the community installed a brand new SIBROM system with 3 biological filters, in series, followed by reverse osmosis membrane treatment. The new SIBROM system now uses less than 10% of the amount of chlorine that was required with Saulteaux’s old water treatment plant.

Saulteaux First Nation, SK - 14.4 m3/hr

George Gordon First Nation, SK - 11.3 m3/hr

Pre-filters are installed ahead of RO membranes in both RO and SIBROM plants to filter out debris and biological contaminants. These pre-filters must be changed regularly, and some direct RO plants change them as often as once a week.

The pre-filters pictured to the left were pulled from the George Gordon SIBROM plant after filtering 159,000 m3 of biologically treated water. Because the biological filtration phase is so effective, there is no evidence of fouling on these filters. The pre-filters at George Gordon’s SIBROM plant last for up to 24 months before needing to be changed.




Iron (Fe) (mg/L) 0.008 0.005 0.000 43.13% 100.00%

Manganese (Mn) (mg/L) 0.005 0.001 0.000 86.17% 100.00%

Arsenic (As) (µg/L) 2.250 2.150 0.000 4.44% 100.00%

Phosphorus (P) (mg/L) 0.100 0.071 0.003 29.00% 97.00%

Ammonia (N) (mg/L) 0.450 0.020 0.000 95.56% 100.00%

The Saddle Lake SIBROM treats surface water drawn from Saddle Lake in Alberta. In this system, 4 biological filters in series are directly fed with surface water, followed by reverse osmosis membrane treatment. The SIBROM successfully removes troublesome contaminants, such as the blue-green algae found in Saddle Lake. The system produces biologically stable drinking water for the community and surrounding area at a cost of approximately $3/m3 - on par with large cities including Calgary and Edmonton, AB.




Iron (Fe) (mg/L) 1.020 0.273 0.000 73.20% 99.98%

Manganese (Mn) (mg/L) 0.050 0.048 0.000 3.97% 100.00%

Arsenic (As) (µg/L) 20.333 13.667 0.000 32.79% 100.00%

Phosphorus (P) (mg/L) 0.277 0.140 0.000 49.40% 100.00%

Ammonia (N) (mg/L) 2.500 1.317 0.010 47.33% 99.60%

Kahkewistahaw First Nation was struggling with a failing greensand water treatment system providing water to the community and surrounding area.

In 2017, the existing equipment was retrofitted with a SIBROM that consists of 2 biological filters, in series, followed by reverse osmosis membrane treatment. Sapphire Water was able to reconfigure and reuse the original greensand tanks.

The SIBROM successfully lifted their boil water advisory, and the community now has a system that can handle the high arsenic content and effectively remove the iron and ammonia present in their raw water.

Kahkewistahaw First Nation, SK - 21.6 m3/hr

Saddle Lake Cree Nation, AB - 115 m3/hr


THE OUTCOME: Based on 15.5 million m3 of real world experience, Sapphire Water can offer a “5+5” (5 year full replacement + 5 year prorated) membrane warranty.

CommunityRaw Water

TypeRaw Flow

(m3/hr)Permeate Flow

(m3/hr) Year

Yellow Quill First Nation, Saskatchewan* Ground 15.8 12.6 2004

Pasqua First Nation, Saskatchewan Ground 3.1 2.3 2005

George Gordon First Nation, Saskatchewan Ground 17.5 11.3 2005

Whitecap Dakota First Nation, Saskatchewan Ground 19.2 14.4 2010

Whitecap Dakota Dunes Casino, Saskatchewan Ground 4.1 3.1 2010

Saddle Lake Cree Nation, Alberta Surface 230 115 2011

Poundmaker First Nation, Saskatchewan Ground 26.2 18.4 2012

Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, Saskatchewan Ground 31.3 24.8 2012

Kawacatoose First Nation, Saskatchewan Ground 15.8 12.6 2012

Witchikan Lake First Nation, Saskatchewan Ground 23.1 16.1 2012

Saulteaux First Nation, Saskatchewan Ground 20.6 14.4 2013

James Smith First Nation, Saskatchewan Ground 38.6 37 2013

Moosomin First Nation, Saskatchewan Ground 33.6 25.2 2013

Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation, Saskatchewan Ground 43.2 32.4 2014

Shoal Lake Cree Nation, Saskatchewan Ground 43 32 2014

Mistawasis First Nation, Saskatchewan Ground 43.2 32.4 2016

Sturgeon Lake First Nation, Saskatchewan Ground 57.6 43.2 2016

Kahkewistahaw First Nation, Saskatchewan Ground 28.8 21.6 2017

Dakota Dunes Casino, Saskatchewan Ground 12.0 9.0 2018

Village of Mankota, Saskatchewan Surface 11.8 9.1 2018

Town of Craik, Saskatchewan** Surface 12.7 9.1 2018

Sandy Lake First Nation, Alberta** Ground 9.6 7.2 2018

Kinistin Saulteaux, Saskatchewan** Ground 16.4 12.3 2018

* Burned down in 2008, rebuilt in 2010** Currently under construction

SIBROM Track Record Membrane Replacement: AutopsiesSaddle LakeThe Saddle Lake surface water SIBROM has been in operation since 2011, and went through its first membrane replacement in 2018. The system operated with the original membranes for 7 straight years without any CIP cleanings, and though the membranes were still performing adequately, the system was experiencing a minor loss in performance.

The end user opted for a membrane replacement, rather than a CIP cleaning, to re-establish the baseline of operation. Sapphire Water used this opportunity to perform membrane autopsies.

The autopsy report indicated that the membranes showed signs of fouling and wear, however cell testing showed membrane performance recovery could be achieved with rinsing. Based on these findings, Sapphire Water can infer that use of typical chemical cleanings would have increased the membrane performance further. This information helped Sapphire Water establish a bench mark for when to perform cleanings to extend membrane life and when membranes may need replacement in the future.

Yellow QuillThough the first-ever SIBROM burned down in 2008, it was rebuilt and the current plant at Yellow Quill has been in operation since 2010. In 2018 the 8-year-old plant suffered equipment failure, causing the biological filters to enter an anaerobic state for an extended period. This caused the membranes to foul to a point where the end user wanted to replace the membranes.

At this time, Sapphire Water took the opportunity to perform autopsies on the disposed membranes. The autopsy revealed standard inorganic iron/calcium-based scale, as well as an organic slime foulant.

In a cell test, with a rinsing of the membrane surface, it was found that the membrane was still in excellent condition and further cleaning could have kept the membranes in service even after the equipment failure that lead to the fouling.

Slight brown foulant discoloration on the inlet of the membrane.

Pile of foulant scraped from the surface of the opened membrane.

X1000 magnification of the rod shaped bacteria in bacterial slime.

Slight brown foulant discoloration on the inlet of the membrane.

Edge of the membrane inlet showing foulant build up.

X1000 magnification of the bacterial slime foulant.

SIBROM facility built in 2016 in Mistawasis, Saskatchewan.

Close up of Sapphire’s highly porous Filtralite® filter media.

Close ups of competitor’s smooth, non-porous filter media.

Compared to other filter media, such as sand and anthracite, Filtralite® has the following advantages:

• Superior porosity, which provides a larger number of macropores and higher specific area for biofilm growth

• Improved biofilm growth allows for higher removal efficiency for contaminants such as iron, ammonia, arsenic, and manganese

• Lower initial head loss, slower head loss build up, higher particle storage capacity, and lower backwash rates

• Greater resistance to abrasion, leading to a longer material lifetime of 20-25 years

• Industry-leading, minimum 10-year warranty on Filtralite® media


• SIBROM pilots are easily shipped across Canada and are perfect for remote communities

• Our fully trained technical staff can easily integrate our pilot systems into existing plants or as a greenfield project

• The SIBROM pilot equipment is available in a fully heated and insulated container with an optional generator package, or can be shipped as separate components for installation indoors

• Pilot systems are simple to install, operate, and remove from various site locations

• All of our pilot units have several sample ports, making it easy for site operators to verify pilot performance

SIBROM Pilot Systems

Head Office & Service1600, 530 - 8th Ave SWCalgary, AB T2P 3S8 403-537-8470 1-866-221-2983

Manufacturing, Parts, & ServiceBox 400, 105 - 1st Ave SWWatson, SK S0K 4V0 306-287-3633 1-800-205-3633

Electrical & AutomationBox 3615 Highway #20 NorthHumboldt, SK S0K 2A0 306-682-8000 1-855-682-6125

Why choose a SIBROM?

Each SIBROM system designed by Sapphire Water is customized to ensure effective treatment of site-specific raw water contaminants. Though the standard process remains the same, the number of bio-tanks may change to ensure effective elimination of the most troublesome contaminants.

Sapphire Water’s team of experienced water treatment experts will examine the raw water quality and design a SIBROM that successfully delivers biologically stable water to the RO membranes.

The SIBROM system is easy to operate, requires minimal use of chemicals and has a much lower operating cost when compared to traditional manganese greensand type systems.


Reduced Cleaning RequirementsBecause Phase 1 produces biologically stable water, there are less biological contaminants for the membranes to filter out, thereby minimizing the need for membrane cleanings. This also ensures treated water reservoirs and distribution systems will not become overburdened with biofilm-forming bacteria, or become repositories for debris.

Reduced ChemicalsCompared to a traditional system such as a manganese greensand/RO, a SIBROM system reduces the amount of chlorine required for disinfection by up to 90%, and antiscalant use by up to 90%. With a SIBROM system, there is no need for chemical regeneration or media replacement.

Reduced Operating CostsBecause SIBROM systems experience less fouling, they require fewer membrane cleanings which greatly extends membrane life. This also reduces amount of water used for backwashing by up to 95%. Implementing a SIBROM system also lowers labor costs through advanced automation and controls.

Guaranteed to produce healthy, great tasting water.

s i biological reverse osmosis … sapphire integrated biological reverse osmosis membrane (sibrom)...

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