Solving Algae Fouling for Reliable Wastewater Discharge at a Seed Oil Refinery Case Study

See How ZwitterCo Systems Performed in Seed Oil Refining

In June 2025, the refinery began a 6-month field rental of a ZwitterCo System integrated with ZwitterCo Expedition SF membranes in a single-stage feed-andbleed
configuration. A continuous-cleaning spiral brush prefilter (~25 μm) removed bulk solids ahead of the membrane system. Unlike conventional membrane systems, the ZwitterCo System resists fouling from organic and algal matter.

6 months of continuous, fouling-resistant operation on algae-heavy lagoon wastewater (250+ ppm COD, 600+ ppb chlorophyll)
75-90% water recovery sustained, with no membrane replacement or output loss
Algae and Turbidity removal of 99%+, meeting outfall discharge limits
Full membrane performance restored after every wash, using only commodity cleaning chemicals

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