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by which water passes through the poro-
sities of the membranes. “This way, all the
contaminants in the water which are not filte-
red by the pores, remain trapped and quality
of the water is exception, ensuring the maxi-
mum quality”, Lobato explained.
These hollow fibre membranes contribute
to achieving this double objective and also
make it possible to return the water to the
river in perfect conditions. Jaime Lobato,
who has been working at the plant for seven
years, remembers that it was not that long
ago that the treatment was quite different.
“The primary decanters are now lamination
tanks; that’s one of the changes in the pro-
cess”, he said. “Settling decanters were ins-
talled which do what the former ones used
to do. The ultrafiltration with membranes
was installed in the secondary decanters”,
he added. The entire aeration system was
replaced with fine air bubbles so that it is
possible now to aerate whereas before, the-
Water line
Sludge line
T h e P l a c e