Synergistic effects of biochar addition and filtration mode optimization on mitigating membrane fouling in high-solid anaerobic membrane bioreactors

Chengfan Jiao; Hao Chen; Yaqian Liu; Hexiang Zhao; Qian Li; Gaojun Wang; Rong Chen; Yu-You Li

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171648

Synergistic effects of biochar addition and filtration mode optimization on mitigating membrane fouling in high-solid anaerobic membrane bioreactors

Sci Total Environ. 2024 May 20:926:171648. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171648. Epub 2024 Mar 21.

Authors

Chengfan Jiao¹, Hao Chen¹, Yaqian Liu², Hexiang Zhao³, Qian Li⁴, Gaojun Wang⁵, Rong Chen⁵, Yu-You Li⁶

Affiliations

¹ Key Lab of Environmental Engineering, Shaanxi Province, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, No.13 Yanta Road, Xi'an 710055, PR China.
² Key Lab of Environmental Engineering, Shaanxi Province, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, No.13 Yanta Road, Xi'an 710055, PR China; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-06 Aza-Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 9808579, Japan.
³ HuaLu Engineering & Technology Co., Ltd, PR China.
⁴ Key Lab of Environmental Engineering, Shaanxi Province, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, No.13 Yanta Road, Xi'an 710055, PR China; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-06 Aza-Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 9808579, Japan; International S & T Cooperation Center for Urban Alternative Water Resources Development, Key Laboratory of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, MOE, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, No.13 Yanta Road, Xi'an 710055, PR China. Electronic address: qian.li@xauat.edu.cn.
⁵ Key Lab of Environmental Engineering, Shaanxi Province, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, No.13 Yanta Road, Xi'an 710055, PR China; International S & T Cooperation Center for Urban Alternative Water Resources Development, Key Laboratory of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, MOE, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, No.13 Yanta Road, Xi'an 710055, PR China.
⁶ Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-06 Aza-Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 9808579, Japan.

PMID: 38521277
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171648

Abstract

In this study, a high-solid anaerobic membrane bioreactor was established for treating food waste, and membrane fouling rates were regulated through multivariate modulation. The anaerobic membrane bioreactor operated stably at a high organic loading rate of 28.75 gCOD/L/d achieved a methane production rate of 8.03 ± 0.61 L/L/d. Experimental findings revealed that the most effective control of membrane fouling was achieved at a filtration- relaxation ratio (F/R) of 10/90 s. This indicates that a higher relaxation frequency provided improved the mitigation of membrane fouling. Compared with single F/R modulation, the combined modulation of biochar and F/R provided enhanced control over membrane fouling. Moreover, the addition of biochar altered the sludge properties of the reactor, thereby preventing the formation of a dense cake layer. Additionally, biochar enhanced the sheer force of the fluid on the membrane surface and facilitated the separation of pollutants during the relaxation stage, thereby contributing to improved control of membrane fouling.

Keywords: Biochar; Filtration–relaxation ratio; Food waste; High-solid anaerobic membrane bioreactors; Membrane fouling.

MeSH terms

Anaerobiosis
Bioreactors
Charcoal*
Filtration
Food
Membranes, Artificial
Refuse Disposal*
Sewage
Waste Disposal, Fluid*

Substances

biochar
Sewage
Membranes, Artificial
Charcoal