Efficient Nitrogen and Contaminant Removal from Wastewater
Stricter discharge limits and tougher environmental regulations are putting pressure on wastewater treatment plants and industrial operators worldwide.
One of the biggest environmental challenges is reducing nitrogen (N) and other nutrients in effluent streams — a key cause of eutrophication, oxygen depletion, and algae blooms.
Our combined Rotary Press and VSEP membrane system provides a highly efficient, low-maintenance, and sustainable solution — achieving up to 99.9% nitrogen removal while recovering clean water and valuable nutrients.
Advanced Membrane Filtration for Nitrogen Removal.
Vibratory Shear Enhanced Processing (VSEP) is an advanced membrane filtration technology developed by New Logic Research and patented by Dr. J. Brad Culkin in 1986.
Using controlled vibrations, VSEP keeps the membrane surface clean and maintains high flow — even when filtering challenging liquids such as sludge, digestate, or industrial wastewater.
Combined with the Fournier Rotary Press™, it creates a complete and energy-efficient solution for sludge dewatering, nutrient recovery, and wastewater polishing.
Together, these two technologies help treatment plants reduce discharge loads, lower OPEX, and meet the strictest nitrogen and phosphorus limits.
How VSEP work?
Unlike conventional membrane systems that gradually foul and lose performance, VSEP uses an unbalanced drive shaft to create rapid vibrations across the membrane surface.
These vibrations generate a shear wave that prevents particles from settling and clogging the pores — maintaining consistent filtration performance over time.
The process typically involves two stages:
1 Rotary Press Dewatering
The Rotary Press removes most solids, producing a dry cake rich in phosphorus.
2 VSEP Filtration
The remaining liquid (reject water) is filtered through VSEP membranes to remove nitrogen, phosphorus, PFAS, heavy metals, and other contaminants.
The result:
- A clean water stream that meets or exceeds discharge standards
- Recovered nutrients (N, P, K) suitable for reuse or agricultural fertilizer applications
VSEP overcomes fouling problems commonly associated with membrane filtration by using vibration to create high shear at the membrane surface.
Key Highlights
- Up to 99.9% nitrogen removal
Proven performance in both municipal and industrial wastewater treatment. - Low operating cost (OPEX)
Minimal energy use, no backwashing, and reduced chemical consumption. - Continuous, self-cleaning operation
Vibratory motion prevents fouling and reduces maintenance. - Sustainable and circular
Enables nutrient recovery and water reuse. - Compact footprint
Ideal for plant upgrades, retrofits, or modular installations. - Proven across industries
Municipal wastewater, biogas digestate, pulp & paper, food & beverage, mining, and industrial effluents.
Typical Applications:
VSEP is highly versatile and is used across industries where traditional membrane systems struggle:
-
Municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs)
Reduce nitrogen discharge and comply with tightening regulations. -
Industrial effluent treatment
Remove PFAS, nitrogen, and heavy metals from process water. -
Biogas and sludge management
Separate digestate into clean water, solids, and nutrient-rich concentrates. -
Recycling and resource recovery
Support circular economy by reusing water and nutrients.
Sustainable by Design
The combination of Rotary Press and VSEP represents a future-ready solution for wastewater treatment — combining mechanical dewatering with advanced membrane polishing.
This dual-stage approach significantly reduces environmental impact, operating costs, and chemical usage, while contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable water cycle.
Pilot Testing
VSEP systems comes in a range of sizes and models. To effectively discover whats works best with your unique sludge and processes, we offer pilot testing.
FAQs about VSEP and Nitrogen Removal
What is VSEP?
VSEP (Vibratory Shear Enhanced Processing) is a membrane filtration system that uses vibration to prevent fouling and maintain high filtration efficiency.
How does VSEP work with Rotary Press?
The Rotary Press dewaters sludge and removes solids first. The remaining liquid is then filtered in the VSEP unit, which removes nitrogen, phosphorus, PFAS, and other contaminants.
What are the main benefits of the Rotary Press + VSEP combination?
High nitrogen removal, low operating cost, reduced maintenance, nutrient recovery, and compliance with strict discharge limits.
Which industries can use VSEP?
Municipal wastewater, biogas plants, food & beverage, pulp & paper, and industrial effluent treatment.
Connect with our team
Ready to improve your wastewater performance?
Contact PG CleanWater Solutions to learn how our systems can help you meet future discharge limits, reduce OPEX, and recover valuable resources.
Get in touch with our team for an insightful talk and learn how we can help solve your challenges
Products
As a complete system supplier with machine builder expertise, process know-how and support, PG CleanWater Solutions along with our partners and suppliers offer a range of complementary equipment that help optimizing the complete sludge process - before and after the dewatering stage.
Our combined team of experts possesses extensive process know-how and resources and are able to provide complete, tailor-made, turn-key solutions ranging from agitators to pumps, to suit your specific requirements - all accompanied by exceptional life-cycle support and services.
Products
The FOURNIER ROTARY PRESS™ offers a highly efficient solid-liquid dewatering separation for a range of industries that handles biomass, sludge, pulp, or other suspension materials.
Wide selection of quality pumps and flow solutions for all stages of the process-line.
Testrapporter
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