TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF MARCH 5, 2015
COMMITTEE ON ENGINEERING
Mr. David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Title
Enter into an agreement with GE Ionics, Inc., doing business as GE Water & Process Technology for professional research services to conduct a Pilot Research Study of a Membrane Aerated Bioreactor, O'Brien Water Reclamation Plant
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to enter into an agreement with GE Ionics, Inc., doing business as GE Water & Process Technology (GE) for professional research services to conduct a Pilot Research Study of a Membrane Aerated Bioreactor, O'Brien Water Reclamation Plant (WRP).
GE has developed a patented membrane aerated bioreactor (MABR) technology called ZeeLung®. GE has demonstrated through bench scale testing and process modeling that the MABR has the ability to provide considerable benefits compared to the conventional activated sludge process. The O'Brien WRP could potentially benefit from installation of this product resulting in improved process performance under stressed conditions, and the ability to implement biological phosphorus removal without losing treatment capacity in the existing aeration tanks. In addition, this MABR equipment has been shown to use as low as 40% of the energy required for a conventional activated sludge process. Application of this technology at full-scale would be a significant step towards energy neutrality.
Although the MABR concept has been the subject of academic research since the 1960s, to date, there have been no commercial MABR products available for retrofitting existing aeration tanks due to numerous engineering and application challenges identified in academic research. GE has solved these problems through the design of a supported construction fiber, incorporating multiple fibers in a single strand for highest efficiency. This design is unique in the industry and proprietary to GE. GE desires to test the MABR under actual wastewater treatment plant conditions with a knowledgeable and engaged plant staff and, consequently, has approached the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (District) to be a demonstration partner with a pilot-scale MABR unit. Inasmuch as the District desires to move expeditiously towards energy neutrality, improved process performance and increased phosphorus removal, it appears that such an arrangement could be beneficial to the District, as accelerated commercialization of the technology could potentially meet the District's goals.
The purpose of the pilot unit will be to demonstrate the performance of this equipment outside of the laboratory on an actual wastewater stream, and to prove or refute the potential benefits for the District regarding improved performance and energy reduction. If this pilot test proves successful, the next step would be to test the equipment in actual-scale operation in an aeration tank. In order to engage in the pilot test, the District must enter into an agreement with GE. GE will supply and install the equipment at the O'Brien WRP and will provide operational training. Maintenance and Operations Department staff will prepare the site for the pilot unit, make utility connections, provide operational oversight and take samples. Monitoring and Research Department staff will provide laboratory analysis and data reporting.
There will be no payment made to either party under this agreement. At no time would the District be under any obligation to purchase the MABR equipment, nor make payments to GE, nor to continue with the tests, if it is deemed in the best interests of the District not to do so. In recognition of the District's participation in the pilot research project, GE has agreed to provide commercial incentives and other considerations to the District should at any point in the future the District decides to procure the MABR equipment. A separate agreement to this effect will be negotiated with GE within six months of the start of the pilot research agreement, and prior to starting any further research projects.
The time for completion of the research project is sixteen months after the effective date of the agreement. There are no provisions in the agreement for the extension of time except for such reasonable period as may be agreed upon between parties. The deliverable to be provided under this pilot research agreement is a final report on the performance of the equipment prepared jointly by GE and the District.
Inasmuch as GE possesses a high degree of professional skill, it is recommended that the Director of Engineering be authorized to enter into an agreement without advertising, per Section 11.4 of the Purchasing Act.
Requested, Catherine A. O'Connor, Director of Engineering, TK
Recommended, David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Respectfully Submitted, Frank Avila, Chairman Committee on Engineering
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for March 5, 2015