Membrane fouling and performance evaluation of conventional membrane bioreactor (MBR), moving biofilm MBR and oxic/anoxic MBR

2014 ◽  
Vol 69 (7) ◽  
pp. 1403-1409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sher Jamal Khan ◽  
Aman Ahmad ◽  
Muhammad Saqib Nawaz ◽  
Nicholas P. Hankins
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Fouling ◽  
Extracellular Polymeric Substances ◽  
Water Flux ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Domestic Wastewater ◽  
Membrane Bioreactors ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Biofilm Carrier ◽  
Cake Layer ◽  
And Performance

In this study, three laboratory scale submerged membrane bioreactors (MBRs) comprising a conventional MBR (C-MBR), moving bed MBR (MB-MBR) and anoxic-oxic MBR (A/O-MBR) were continuously operated with synthesized domestic wastewater (chemical oxygen demand, COD = 500 mg/L) for 150 days under similar operational and environmental conditions. Kaldnes® plastic media with 20% dry volume was used as a biofilm carrier in the MB-MBR and A/O-MBR. The treatment performance and fouling propensity of the MBRs were evaluated. The effect of cake layer formation in all three MBRs was almost the same. However, pore blocking caused a major difference in the resultant water flux. The A/O-MBR showed the highest total nitrogen and phosphorus (PO4-P) removal efficiencies of 83.2 and 69.7%, respectively. Due to the high removal of nitrogen, fewer protein contents were found in the soluble and bound extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) of the A/O-MBR. Fouling trends of the MBRs showed 12, 14 and 20 days filtration cycles for C-MBR, MB-MBR and A/O-MBR, respectively. A 25% reduction of the soluble EPS and a 37% reduction of the bound EPS concentrations in A/O-MBR compared with C-MBR was a major contributing factor for fouling retardation and the enhanced filtration capacity of the A/O-MBR.

scholarly journals Submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor (SAnMBR) performance on sewage treatment: removal efficiencies, biogas production and membrane fouling

2017 ◽  
Vol 76 (6) ◽  
pp. 1308-1317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rong Chen ◽  
Yulun Nie ◽  
Jiayuan Ji ◽  
Tetsuya Utashiro ◽  
Qian Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Methane Production ◽  
Membrane Fouling ◽  
Comprehensive Evaluation ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Batch Tests ◽  
Cake Layer ◽  
Biomass Yields

A submerged anaerobic membrane reactor (SAnMBR) was employed for comprehensive evaluation of sewage treatment at 25 °C and its performance in removal efficiency, biogas production and membrane fouling. Average 89% methanogenic degradation efficiency as well as 90%, 94% and 96% removal of total chemical oxygen demand (TCOD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and nonionic surfactant were obtained, while nitrogen and phosphorus were only subjected to small removals. Results suggest that SAnMBRs can effectively decouple organic degradation and nutrients disposal, and reserve all the nitrogen and phosphorus in the effluent for further possible recovery. Small biomass yields of 0.11 g mixed liquor volatile suspended solids (MLVSS)/gCOD were achieved, coupled to excellent methane production efficiencies of 0.338 NLCH4/gCOD, making SAnMBR an attractive technology characterized by low excess sludge production and high bioenergy recovery. Batch tests revealed the SAnMBR appeared to have the potential to bear a high food-to-microorganism ratio (F/M) of 1.54 gCOD/gMLVSS without any inhibition effect, and maximum methane production rate occurred at F/M 0.7 gCOD/gMLVSS. Pore blocking dominated the membrane fouling behaviour at a relative long hydraulic retention time (HRT), i.e. >12 hours, while cake layer dominated significantly at shorter HRTs, i.e. <8 hours.

scholarly journals Mechanism of Membrane Fouling Control by HMBR: Effect of Microbial Community on EPS

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 1681
Author(s):  
Qiang Liu ◽  
Ying Yao ◽  
Delan Xu
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Community ◽  
Membrane Fouling ◽  
Membrane Bioreactor ◽  
Extracellular Polymeric Substances ◽  
Microbial Community Composition ◽  
Domestic Wastewater ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Transmembrane Pressure ◽  
Fouling Control ◽  
Cake Layer

A hybrid membrane bioreactor (HMBR) employing activated sludge and biofilm simultaneously is proved to represent a good performance on membrane fouling control compared to conventional membrane bioreactor (CMBR) by reducing extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), especially bound EPS (B-EPS). In order to better understand the mechanism of membrane fouling control by the HMBR in regard of microbial community composition, a pilot scale HMBR operated to treat domestic wastewater for six months, and a CMBR operated at the same time as control group. Results showed that HMBR can effectively control membrane fouling. When transmembrane pressure reached 0.1 MPa, the membrane module in the HMBR operated for about 26.7% longer than that in the CMBR. In the HMBR, the quantity of EPS was significantly lower than that in the CMBR. In this paper, soluble EPS was also found to have a close relationship with cake layer resistance. The species richness and diversity in the HMBR were higher than those in the CMBR, and a certain difference between the compositions of microbial communities in the two reactors was confirmed. Therefore, the difference in microbial community compositions may be the direct reason why EPS in the HMBR was lower than that in the CMBR.

scholarly journals Effects of Solids Retention Time on the Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor with Yttria-Based Ceramic Membrane Treating Domestic Wastewater at Ambient Temperature

Membranes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 196
Author(s):  
Rathmalgodage Thejani Nilusha ◽  
Dawei Yu ◽  
Junya Zhang ◽  
Yuansong Wei
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Community ◽  
Ambient Temperature ◽  
Membrane Fouling ◽  
Membrane Bioreactor ◽  
Extracellular Polymeric Substances ◽  
Ceramic Membrane ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Domestic Wastewater ◽  
Archaeal Community ◽  
Stable Operation

The effects of solid retention times (SRTs) (100 days, 50 days, 25 days) on the performance, microbial community, and membrane fouling of a lab-scale anaerobic yttria-based ceramic membrane bioreactor (AnCMBR) treating synthetic domestic wastewater at ambient temperature (31.2 ± 2.7 °C) were examined. The soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) removal was higher (89.6%) at 25 days SRT compared with 50 days (39.61%) and 100 days (34.3%) SRT. At 100 days SRT, more Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria were present in the microbial community. At 25 days SRT, more Chloroflexi, Synergistetes, and Pastescibacteria emerged, contributing to the stable performance. The SRT of 25 days has resulted in a more stable microbial community compared with 50 days and 100 days SRT. Both bacterial and archaeal community diversities were higher at 25 days SRT, and the specific production of soluble microbial by-products (SMPs) and extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) were higher at 25 days SRT as well. Consequently, the membrane flux was lower at 25 days SRT with the increased particle size and the enhanced SMPs and EPSs production. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis (FTIR) and three-dimensional excitation and emission matrix (3D-EEM) analysis showed that protein and SMPs were the major membrane foulants at all SRT stages. In this study, SRT at 25 days was favorable for the stable operation of an AnCMBR treating domestic wastewater at ambient temperature.

Treatment of domestic wastewater with an anaerobic ceramic membrane bioreactor (AnCMBR)

2015 ◽  
Vol 72 (12) ◽  
pp. 2301-2307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaodi Yue ◽  
Yoong Keat Kelvin Koh ◽  
How Yong Ng
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Fouling ◽  
Membrane Bioreactor ◽  
Ceramic Membrane ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Domestic Wastewater ◽  
Ceramic Membranes ◽  
Transmembrane Pressure ◽  
Mixed Liquor ◽  
Cake Layer ◽  
Excellent Stability

In this study, a ceramic membrane with a pore size of 80 nm was incorporated into an anaerobic membrane bioreactor for excellent stability and integrity. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiencies by biodegradation reached 78.6 ± 6.0% with mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) of 12.8 ± 1.2 g/L. Even though the total methane generated was 0.3 ± 0.03 L/g CODutilized, around 67.4% of it dissolved in permeate and was lost beyond collection. As a result, dissolved methane was 2.7 times of the theoretical saturating concentration calculated from Henry's law. When transmembrane pressure (TMP) of the ceramic membrane reached 30 kPa after 25.3 d, 95.2% of the total resistance was attributed to the cake layer, which made it the major contributor to membrane fouling. Compared to the mixed liquor, cake layer was rich in colloids and soluble products that could bind the solids to form a dense cake layer. The Methanosarcinaceae family preferred to attach to the ceramic membranes.

scholarly journals Operation of Submerged Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactors at 20 °C: Effect of Solids Retention Time on Flux, Mixed Liquor Characteristics and Performance

Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1525
Author(s):  
Santiago Pacheco-Ruiz ◽  
Sonia Heaven ◽  
Charles J. Banks
Keyword(s):  
Retention Time ◽  
Membrane Fouling ◽  
Extracellular Polymeric Substances ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Membrane Bioreactors ◽  
Transmembrane Pressure ◽  
Capillary Suction ◽  
Solids Retention Time ◽  
Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactors ◽  
Solids Retention

Four flat-sheet submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactors ran for 242 days on a simulated domestic wastewater with low Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and high suspended solids. Organic loading was maintained around 1.0 g COD L−1 day−1, while solids retention time (SRT) was varied from 20–90 days. This was achieved at a constant membrane flux, maintained by adjusting transmembrane pressure (TMP) in the range 1.8-9.8 kPa. Membrane fouling was assessed based on the required TMP, with mixed liquors characterised using capillary suction time, frozen image centrifugation and quantification of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). SRT had a significant effect on these parameters: fouling was least at an SRT of 30 days and highest at 60 days, with some reduction as this extended to 90 days. Operation at SRT <30 days showed no further benefits. Although operation at a short SRT was optimal for membrane performance it led to lower specific methane productivity, higher biomass yields and higher effluent COD. Short SRT may also have accelerated the loss of essential trace elements, leading to reduced performance under these conditions. A COD-based mass balance was conducted, including both biomass and methane dissolved in the effluent.

scholarly journals Correction: Membrane fouling characteristics of membrane bioreactors (MBRs) under salinity shock: extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) and the optimization of operating parameters

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ling Luo ◽  
Hui Zhong ◽  
Ye Yuan ◽  
Wenwang Zhou ◽  
Changming Zhong
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Fouling ◽  
Extracellular Polymeric Substances ◽  
Membrane Bioreactors ◽  
Operating Parameters ◽  
Salinity Shock ◽  
Fouling Characteristics

Correction for ‘Membrane fouling characteristics of membrane bioreactors (MBRs) under salinity shock: extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) and the optimization of operating parameters’ by Changming Zhong et al., Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2021, DOI: .

scholarly journals Efficiency and Technological Reliability of Contaminant Removal in Household WWTPs with Activated Sludge

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1889 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Micek ◽  
Krzysztof Jóźwiakowski ◽  
Michał Marzec ◽  
Agnieszka Listosz ◽  
Tadeusz Grabowski
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Domestic Wastewater ◽  
Pollutant Removal ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Contaminant Removal ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Wastewater Samples ◽  
Polish Law

The results of research on the efficiency and technological reliability of domestic wastewater purification in two household wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) with activated sludge are presented in this paper. The studied facilities were located in the territory of the Roztocze National Park (Poland). The mean wastewater flow rate in the WWTPs was 1.0 and 1.6 m3/day. In 2017–2019, 20 series of analyses were done, and 40 wastewater samples were taken. On the basis of the received results, the efficiency of basic pollutant removal was determined. The technological reliability of the tested facilities was specified using the Weibull method. The average removal efficiencies for the biochemical oxygen demand in 5 days (BOD5) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were 66–83% and 62–65%, respectively. Much lower effects were obtained for total suspended solids (TSS) and amounted to 17–48%, while the efficiency of total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) removal did not exceed 34%. The analyzed systems were characterized by the reliability of TSS, BOD5, and COD removal at the level of 76–96%. However, the reliability of TN and TP elimination was less than 5%. Thus, in the case of biogenic compounds, the analyzed systems did not guarantee that the quality of treated wastewater would meet the requirements of the Polish law during any period of operation. This disqualifies the discussed technological solution in terms of its wide application in protected areas and near lakes, where the requirements for nitrogen and phosphorus removal are high.

Correlation between membrane fouling and soluble/colloidal organic substances in membrane bioreactors for municipal wastewater treatment

2005 ◽  
Vol 51 (6-7) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Lesjean ◽  
S. Rosenberger ◽  
C. Laabs ◽  
M. Jekel ◽  
R. Gnirss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Fouling ◽  
Extracellular Polymeric Substances ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Membrane Bioreactors ◽  
Size Exclusion ◽  
Water Phase ◽  
Parallel Operation ◽  
Municipal Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Operational Conditions ◽  
The Difference

Two similar membrane bioreactors of 2 m3 each were operated in parallel over two years under the same operational conditions, fed with the same municipal wastewater. The only process and operational difference between both pilot plants was the position of the denitrification zone (pre-denitrification in pilot 1 and post-denitrification in pilot 2). Despite parallel operation, the two MBRs exhibited different fouling rates and decreases in permeability. These differences could not be accounted for by MLSS concentrations, loading rates, or filtration flux. In a one-year investigation, soluble and colloidal organic material in the activated sludge of both MBR was regularly analysed by spectrophotometric and Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) methods. The larger organic molecules present in the sludge water phase (i.e. polysaccharides, proteins and organic colloids) originating from microbial activity (extracellular polymeric substances) were found to impact on the fouling and to explain the difference in membrane performance between the two MBR units. In both pilot plants, a linear relationship could be clearly demonstrated between the fouling rate of the membrane and the concentration of polysaccharides in the sludge water phase during a 5 month operational period at an SRT of 8 days.

Fouling cake layer in a submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor treating saline wastewaters: curse or a blessing?

2011 ◽  
Vol 63 (12) ◽  
pp. 2902-2908 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Vyrides ◽  
D. C. Stuckey
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Fouling ◽  
Membrane Bioreactor ◽  
Large Fraction ◽  
Membrane Bioreactors ◽  
Extracellular Polysaccharides ◽  
Cake Layer ◽  
Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactors ◽  
Suspended Biomass ◽  
Microbial Products

The treatment of inhibitory (saline) wastewaters is known to produce considerable amounts of soluble microbial products (SMPs), and this has been implicated in membrane fouling; the fate of these SMPs was of considerable interest in this work. This study also investigated the contribution of SMPs to membrane fouling of the; (a) cake layer/biofilm layer, (b) the compounds below the biofilm/cake layer and strongly attached to the surface of the membrane, (c) the compounds in the inner pores of the membrane, and (d) the membrane. It was found that the cake/biofilm layer was the main reason for fouling of the membrane. Interestingly, the bacteria attached to the cake/biofilm layer showed higher biodegradation rates compared with the bacteria in suspension. Moreover, the bacteria attached to the cake layer showed higher amounts of attached extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) compared with the bacteria in suspension, possibly due to accumulation of the released EPS from suspended biomass in the cake/biofilm layer. Molecular weight (MW) analysis of the effluent and reactor bulk showed that the cake layer can retain a large fraction of the SMPs in the reactor and prevent them from being released into the effluent. Hence, while cake layers lead to lower fluxes in submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactors (SAMBRs), and hence higher costs, they can improve the quality of the reactor effluent.

Effects of Sludge Concentration on EPS and Membrane Fouling in Anoxic/Aerobic Membrane Bioreactors

2014 ◽  
Vol 1065-1069 ◽  
pp. 3131-3135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Zhang Wang ◽  
Xin Yue Zhu ◽  
Bai Ge Su ◽  
Zhi Qiang Liu ◽  
Hu Liu
Keyword(s):  
Removal Efficiency ◽  
Membrane Fouling ◽  
Extracellular Polymeric Substance ◽  
Preliminary Analysis ◽  
Domestic Wastewater ◽  
Membrane Bioreactors ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Polymeric Substance ◽  
Sludge Concentration

Sludge Concentration (MLSS) is one of major parameters for operation of Anoxic/Aerobic-Membrane Bioreactors（A/O-MBR）and it influences the removal efficiency of pollutants and the rate of membrane fouling as well. This paper focuses on the effects of different MLSS on the treatment of domestic wastewater, the quantity and composition of extracellular polymeric substance (EPS), and the variation of the rate of membrane fouling. It also includes a preliminary analysis of the correlation between EPS and membrane fouling to provide reference for future studies of the mechanism of membrane fouling.

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