Applicability of dynamic membrane technology in anaerobic membrane bioreactors

Abstract

This study investigated the applicability of dynamic membrane technology in anaerobic membrane bioreactors for the treatment of high strength wastewaters. A monofilament woven fabric was used as support material for dynamic membrane formation. An anaerobic dynamic membrane bioreactor (AnDMBR) was operated under a variety of operational conditions, including different sludge retention times (SRTs) of 20 and 40 days in order to determine the effect of SRT on both biological performance and dynamic membrane filtration characteristics. High COD removal efficiencies exceeding 99% were achieved during the operation at both SRTs. Higher filtration resistances were measured during the operation at SRT of 40 days in comparison to SRT of 20 days, applying a stable flux of 2.6 L/m(2) h. The higher filtration resistances coincided with lower extracellular polymeric substances concentration in the bulk sludge at SRT of 40 days, likely resulting in a decreased particle flocculation. Results showed that dynamic membrane technology achieved a stable and high quality permeate and AnDMBRs can be used as a reliable and satisfactory technology for treatment of high strength wastewaters.

Keywords: AnDMBR; AnMBR; Anaerobic dynamic membrane bioreactor; Anaerobic membrane bioreactor; COD; CST; CST(n); Cake filtration; Capillary suction time; Chemical oxygen demand; DM; Dynamic membrane; EGSB; EPS; Expanded granular sludge bed; Extracellular polymeric substances; F/M; Food/mass ratio; HRT; Hydraulic retention time; MBR; Membrane bioreactor; OLR; Organic loading rate; P/C; PBS; PSD; Particle size distribution; Phosphate buffered saline; Protein/carbohydrate ratio; R(T); SMA; SMP; SRF; SRT; Sludge retention time; Soluble microbial products; Specific methanogenic activity; Specific resistance to filtration; TMP; TN; TP; TS; TSS; Total filtration resistance; Total nitrogen; Total phosphorus; Total solids; Total suspended solids; Transmembrane pressure; UASB; Upflow anaerobic sludge blanket; VS; VSS; Volatile solids; Volatile suspended solids; Wastewater treatment; Woven fabric; normalized CST.