Influence of sludge retention time on biomass characteristics and cleaning requirements in a membrane bioreactor for municipal wastewater treatment

Recent trend for membrane bioreactor (MBR) operation was to apply a low sludge retention time (SRT) to decrease the fouling propensity and simplify the overall maintenance. However, the correct control and operation of MBRs under low SRT conditions were not well-established. In this study, modeling of MBR system for municipal wastewater treatment was evaluated using hybrid Activated Sludge Models 3 (ASM3), which helped in determining the control and operating strategies. The experiment-based, manual trial-and-error approach used to calibrate the hybrid ASM3 was verified to be useful for MBR modeling at 30 d sludge retention time (SRT). Furthermore, the consistency relationships among carbon oxygen demanded (COD), soluble microbial products (SMP) and mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) were established in the process of modeling, implying that the accurate simulation of MLSS were the prerequisites for the COD and SMP prediction.

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ESTABLISHING A KINETIC EQUATION TO ESTIMATE SLUDGE PRODUCTION IN MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT BY MEMBRANE BIOREACTOR

Science and Technology Development Journal ◽

10.32508/stdj.v14i1.1867 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 56-64

Author(s):

Uan Khac Do ◽

Banu J. Rajesh ◽

Ick T. Yeom

Keyword(s):

Wastewater Treatment ◽

Kinetic Equation ◽

Retention Time ◽

Membrane Bioreactor ◽

Municipal Wastewater ◽

Biomass Concentration ◽

Municipal Wastewater Treatment ◽

Decay Coefficient ◽

Theoretical Yield ◽

Sludge Production

Sludge production in the membrane bioreactor treating municipal wastewater can be estimated from the kinetic equation which describes a relationship between sludge concentration and substrate, decay coefficient, sludge retention time and hydraulic retention time. Based on the experimental data and using the mathematical approximate method, the theoretical yield factor (Y) and the decay coefficient (kd) were found to be 0.33 mg VSS/mg COD and 0.04 1/day, respectively. Sludge production in the system can be estimated from the obtained kinetic equation. The calculated values were fluctuated around the measured ones. This result proved the potential application of the obtained equation for estimation of the biomass concentration and kinetic parameters in the wastewater treatment systems using membrane bioreactor technology.

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Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactors for Municipal Wastewater Treatment: A Literature Review

Membranes ◽

10.3390/membranes11120967 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. 967

Author(s):

Yerkanat N. Kanafin ◽

Dinara Kanafina ◽

Simos Malamis ◽

Evina Katsou ◽

Vassilis J. Inglezakis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Wastewater Treatment ◽

Retention Time ◽

Membrane Bioreactor ◽

Volatile Fatty Acids ◽

Municipal Wastewater ◽

Organic Loading Rate ◽

Municipal Wastewater Treatment ◽

Promising Alternative ◽

Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor ◽

Treatment Technologies

Currently, there is growing scientific interest in the development of more economic, efficient and environmentally friendly municipal wastewater treatment technologies. Laboratory and pilot-scale surveys have revealed that the anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) is a promising alternative for municipal wastewater treatment. Anaerobic membrane bioreactor technology combines the advantages of anaerobic processes and membrane technology. Membranes retain colloidal and suspended solids and provide complete solid–liquid separation. The slow-growing anaerobic microorganisms in the bioreactor degrade the soluble organic matter, producing biogas. The low amount of produced sludge and the production of biogas makes AnMBRs favorable over conventional biological treatment technologies. However, the AnMBR is not yet fully mature and challenging issues remain. This work focuses on fundamental aspects of AnMBRs in the treatment of municipal wastewater. The important parameters for AnMBR operation, such as pH, temperature, alkalinity, volatile fatty acids, organic loading rate, hydraulic retention time and solids retention time, are discussed. Moreover, through a comprehensive literature survey of recent applications from 2009 to 2021, the current state of AnMBR technology is assessed and its limitations are highlighted. Finally, the need for further laboratory, pilot- and full-scale research is addressed.

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