Vibrating membrane system operates at a landfill in Colombia
New Logic Research (NLR) announced the successful commissioning of another vibratory shear enhanced process (VSEP) landfill leachate treatment system. The vibrating membrane system is operating at a landfill in Buga, a city of 100,000 people located in western Colombia. The 20-hectare landfill receives 570 tons of household trash daily from 18 municipalities in the area.
Landfill leachate is highly contaminated water that collects in the landfill liner beneath the trash. Using reverse osmosis membrane technology, the VSEP system transforms the landfill leachate into crystal clear water for irrigation. Whereas traditional membrane systems would be quickly and permanently coated by the strong contaminants in the leachate, the VSEP's patented vibration system prevents such adhesion, allowing pure water to pass through the membranes unimpeded.
According to NLR CEO Greg Johnson, the Colombian installation is the latest in a string of leachate installations in Central and South America: "While we've always enjoyed a global customer base, VSEP installations south of Mexico were few until fairly recently. Our current success is the result not only of increased regulatory enforcement, but the growth, talent and hard work of our distributor network."
Prior to the VSEP installation, rain threatened to overflow the seven leachate ponds at the landfill. With the VSEP system now working around the clock, pond levels are being reduced continuously. The next phase of the project, which is already in the planning stages, aims to expand the VSEP system by 100%.