Prediction of membrane fouling in MBR systems using empirically estimated specific cake resistance

S Jamal Khan; C Visvanathan; V Jegatheesan

doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2009.06.037

Prediction of membrane fouling in MBR systems using empirically estimated specific cake resistance

Bioresour Technol. 2009 Dec;100(23):6133-6. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2009.06.037. Epub 2009 Jul 10.

Authors

S Jamal Khan¹, C Visvanathan, V Jegatheesan

Affiliation

¹ Institute of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology, Sector H-12, Islamabad, Pakistan. jamal@iese.edu.pk

PMID: 19596569
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2009.06.037

Abstract

The focus of this study was to empirically estimate the specific cake resistance (SCR) by the variation in shear intensity (G) in four laboratory-scale MBRs. The control reactor (MBR(0)) was operated with aeration only while other MBRs (MBR(150), MBR(300) and MBR(450)) were operated with aeration and mechanical mixing intensities of 150, 300 and 450 rpm, respectively. It was found that the SCR was strongly correlated (R(2)=0.99) with the fouling rates in the MBRs. Moreover, the contribution of cake resistance (R(c)) to the total hydraulic resistance (R(t)) was predominant compared to the irreversible fouling resistance (R(f)). On this basis, the cake filtration model was selected as a predictive tool for membrane fouling. This model was modified by replacing the SCR with its empirical shear intensity relationship. The modified model can predict the fouling rate for a given shear intensity (G) within 80 and 250 s(-1) in a MBR system.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Biochemical Phenomena
Bioreactors*
Biotechnology / methods*
Equipment Failure
Least-Squares Analysis
Membranes, Artificial*
Particle Size
Pressure
Reproducibility of Results
Stress, Mechanical
Water Pollutants, Chemical

Substances

Membranes, Artificial
Water Pollutants, Chemical