Effects of packing carriers and ultrasonication on membrane fouling and sludge properties of anaerobic side-stream reactor coupled membrane reactors for sludge reduction

Sludge properties have a strong impact on the operational aspects of membrane bioreactors (MBRs). Poor sludge properties cause stronger membrane fouling and reduce the filtration performance of MBRs. Up to now there is no general method used to measure the fouling or filtration relevant sludge properties in MBRs. The aim of this work was to develop a simple but reliable method to supply operators a tool to monitor the important sludge properties for their application and to compare this method with existing techniques. Through extensive research a new method called the sludge filtration index (SFI) has been developed to indicate the appropriate sludge parameters for MBR systems in a cheap and easy manner. The SFI can be measured with simple laboratory equipment and offers operators a powerful tool to monitor the conditions of their sludge, independent of the membrane conditions.

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Membrane Fouling Characteristics of a Side-Stream Tubular Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor (AnMBR) Treating Domestic Wastewater

Processes ◽

10.3390/pr6050050 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (5) ◽

pp. 50 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Nsanzumukiza Martin Vincent ◽

Juan Tong ◽

Dawei Yu ◽

Junya Zhang ◽

Yuansong Wei

Keyword(s):

Membrane Fouling ◽

Membrane Bioreactor ◽

Domestic Wastewater ◽

Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor ◽

Side Stream ◽

Fouling Characteristics

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The effects of a full-scale anaerobic side-stream reactor on sludge decay and biomass activity

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2019.104 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 79 (6) ◽

pp. 1081-1091 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

V. F. Velho ◽

G. Andreottola ◽

P. Foladori ◽

R. H. R. Costa

Keyword(s):

Activated Sludge ◽

Mass Balance ◽

Oxygen Demand ◽

Full Scale ◽

Sludge Reduction ◽

Solid Mass ◽

Anaerobic Conditions ◽

Side Stream ◽

Biomass Activity ◽

Heterotrophic Biomass

Abstract A full-scale anaerobic side-stream reactor (ASSR) for sludge reduction was monitored in terms of sludge production and compared with the previous conventional activated sludge configuration (CAS). A detailed solid mass balance was calculated on the whole full-scale plant to estimate the sludge reduction associated with the ASSR. The activity of the biomass, which undergoes alternation of aerobic and anaerobic conditions, was investigated by the respirometric test. The ASSR promoted a reduction of heterotrophic biomass activity and the substrate consumption rate in the activated sludge implemented with ASSR (AS + ASSR) was 36% smaller than in the CAS period. The solid mass balance indicated a sludge reduction of 28%. During the 270-day operation, the observed sludge yield passed from 0.438 kgTSS/kgCOD in the CAS to 0.315 in the AS + ASSR configuration. The solubilization of chemical oxygen demand (COD), NH4+-N and orthophosphate were verified under anaerobic conditions. The results suggest that the possible mechanisms of sludge reduction were the increase of the system sludge retention time (SRT) by ASSR addition, and the reduction in heterotrophic biomass activity added to the organic compounds' hydrolysis.

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