Treatment of Oily Wastewaters Using the Microfiltration Process: Effect of Operating Parameters and Membrane Fouling Study

This work focuses on the treatment of oily wastewater using the cross-flow microfiltration (MF) process to determine the effect of different operating parameters such as transmembrane pressure (TMP) and cross-flow velocity on the separation performance and to study the mechanism of membrane fouling during microfiltration of oil in water emulsions. In this regard, the permeation flux and oil rejection of a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane in a flat-frame MF module for separation of 3000 ppm oil/water emulsions were measured. The results indicated that the permeate flux increased by an enhancement in both TMP and cross-flow velocity, while the oil rejection decreased. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that the individual effect of TMP and cross-flow velocity is more important than the interactional effect of these operating parameters on the permeate flux and oil rejection. The results of fouling modeling revealed that the membrane fouling mechanism was affected by the applied TMP. The cake filtration model dominates the fouling mechanism at lower operating pressures. The fouling mechanism was changed from the cake formation to intermediate pore blocking and then to standard pore blocking as the TMP varied from 1 to 3 bar. Finally, a five-step procedure was used for cleaning the oil/water fouled membranes.     

Operation of Membrane Bioreactor with Powdered Activated Carbon Addition

Abstract

The effect of powdered activated carbon (PAC) addition to the activated sludge (AS) in a membrane bioreactor (MBR) has been investigated. The long term nature of the tests allowed the PAC to gradually incorporate into the biofloc forming biologically activated carbon (BAC). One series of tests involved 4 bench scale (2 L) MBRs operated at sludge retention times (SRTs) of 30 days with PAC inventories of 0, 1, 3 and 5 g/L and steady state biomass concentrations of 12.0±1.0 g/L. The characteristics of the mixed liquors (MLSS) from the 4 reactors were compared. Short term filtration tests, including measurement of specific cake resistance (SCR), flux decline profile, and irreversible fouling resistance in an unstirred cell and “sustainable” flux (by monitoring transmembrane pressure (TMP) rise) in a crossflow cell all showed better filtration performance for the MLSS with BAC compared with the AS alone. In terms of SCR and flux decline profile the 1 g/L PAC addition performed best, but in terms of minimizing irreversible membrane fouling and maximizing “sustainable” flux the 5 g/L PAC was best. All 4 systems showed lower total organic carbon (TOC) in the permeate compared to the bioreactors, but the lowest permeate TOC (and the best removal) was for the highest PAC loading.

The benefit of PAC addition was confirmed in a second series of tests with two 20 L MBRs with submerged hollow fibers, one operated without PAC, the MBR(AS), and the other with 5 g/L PAC, the MBR(BAC). For an SRT of 30 days (which involved 3.3% sludge wastage per day and 3.3% new PAC addition per day) and a fixed flux of 21 L/m²hr the MBR(AS) showed a TMP rise of about 2.4 kPa/day whereas the MBR(BAC) showed a rise of only 0.8 kPa/day. However when the MBRs were operated without wastage the performance of the MBR(BAC) was worse than the MBR(AS). Thus the improved performance of the MBR(BAC) requires regular replenishment of aged BAC with fresh PAC.     

A statistical method for quantifying the different fouling effects of three combined water sources on an ultrafiltration membrane

A simple statistical model has been developed to explain the fouling of an ultrafiltration (UF) membrane treating three mixed feedwater matrices. A tubular UF membrane operating under dead-end conditions, based at the Millennium Dome Water Recycling Plant, was used for this study. The feedwaters comprised surface water, greywater and groundwater, all having distinct quality differences. The analysis utilises the least-squares fit regression technique. Fouling, as manifested in the diurnal change in trans-membrane pressure (TMP), is related numerically to the volumes of the feedwaters, the mean TMP and the cross product of mean TMP with water volume. It was found that the impact of the recovered greywater on TMP was not statistically significant only due to the low daily volumes of this matrix generated, compared with those of the other sources. The model that best described the data was chosen on the basis of highest R² and lowest residual mean square, and demonstrated the surface water to be more fouling than the ground water by a factor, which is a function of the mean TMP.     

Analysis of Membrane and Cake Layer Resistances in Coagulation: Constant Flux Dead-End Microfiltration of NOM

Fouling analysis of tank coagulation (TC)/inline coagulation (IC) followed by dead-end microfiltration (MF) treating natural organic matter (NOM) was assessed using the blocking laws and resistance-in-series models. Different process conditions were found to have no significance on the overall treatment efficiency but did contribute to aspects of membrane operation, that is, membrane fouling. Blocking laws were found to be inadequate in explaining the fouling phenomenon, but may provide insight to the intrinsic membrane resistance behavior. The resistance-in-series model showed that cake compressibility was different in each process configuration tested and may therefore assist in determining the most suitable operating conditions. Floc properties resulting from TC and IC were different, impacting the cake compressibility behavior observed, which further could explain the differences in trans membrane pressure (TMP) increase and reversibility of membrane fouling.     

Optimising mixing and nutrient removal in membrane bioreactors: CFD modelling and experimental validation

Membrane Bioreactors (MBRs) have been used successfully in biological wastewater treatment to solve the perennial problem of effective solids-liquid separation. The optimisation of MBRs requires knowledge of the membrane fouling, mixing and biokinetics. MBRs are designed mainly based on the biokinetic and membrane fouling considerations even though the hydrodynamics within an MBR system is of critical importance to the performance of the system. Current methods of design for a desired flow regime within the MBR are largely based on empirical techniques (e.g. specific mixing energy). However, it is difficult to predict how vessel design in large scale installations (e.g. size and position of inlets, baffles or membrane orientation) affects hydrodynamics, hence overall performance. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) provides a method for prediction of how vessel features and mixing energy usage affect the hydrodynamics and pollutant removal and subsequently allowing optimisation of MBR design and performance. In this study, a CFD model was developed which accounts for aeration and biological nutrient removal. The modelling results are compared against experimental results of two full scale MBRs for the hydrodynamics and against a modelling benchmark for the biological nutrient removal component of the model.     

Impact of module design on the performance of membrane bioreactors treating municipal wastewater

Membranes are located in a membrane module that physically seals and isolates the feed stream from the permeate flux in membrane bioreactors (MBRs). Therefore, module type, structure, and geometrical configuration are critical design considerations affecting membrane performance in MBRs. In this study, impact of membrane module design on treatment and filtration performance of MBRs was investigated. For this purpose, two flat sheet membrane modules with different outlet structures and module geometries, including rectangular- and D-shaped, were tested. In addition to the differences in outlet structure and module geometry, size of circular structures which supported membranes in rectangular- and D-shaped modules differed from each other. Considering the results, permeate quality was not affected from the change in the module design. However, the most remarkable impact of the module design was observed on the transmembrane pressure (TMP) evolution and fouling potential. D-shaped membrane module including smaller circular structures resulted in a decrease in fouling potential and thus, this module could be operated longer time in comparison to rectangular-shaped membrane module without a severe TMP increase. The observed differences in TMP increase and fouling potential lead to the hypothesis that module design is a critical factor affecting filtration performance in MBRs.     

Effect of Substrate Composition (C/N/P ratio) on Microbial Community and Membrane Fouling Tendency of Biomass in Membrane Bioreactors

In this study, biomass characteristics including bacterial community, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) production, and membrane fouling propensity were examined when the membrane bioreactors (MBRs) were fed with different substrates (i.e., different C/N/P ratios). Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis revealed that significant shifts of bacterial communities happened when increasing nitrogen or phosphorus loading in the MBRs, which followed in an almost similar way. At steady state, the biomass from the low C/N- and C/P-MBRs had comparable concentrations and produced similar EPS levels as those in the control MBR. However, the median particle size increased when the MBRs fed with low C/N- or C/P- substrate, possibly associated with the filamentous bacteria propagating in the MBRs. Increasing nitrogen or phosphorus loading 1-fold could not induce more serious membrane fouling compared to the control MBR.     

A Review of Membrane Fouling in MBRs: Characteristics and Role of Sludge Cake Formed on Membrane Surfaces

Abstract

Membrane bioreactor (MBR) has been deemed to be a promising technology for wastewater treatment and reclamation; however, the MBR filtration performance inevitably decreases with filtration time attributed to the deposition of soluble and particulate materials onto and into the membrane under the interactions between activated sludge components and the membrane. Cake layer formation on membrane surfaces has been a major challenge in the operation of MBRs under supra-critical flux operation, and/or caused by uneven distribution of aeration intensities, etc.; however, it was argued that a thin cake layer might improve filtration operation by some researchers. This paper provides a critical review on the formation mechanisms, properties, the role of sludge cake in membrane filtration, and the corresponding strategies of controlling cake fouling in MBRs. Drawbacks and benefits of the formation of sludge cake were also discussed in order to better understand the characteristics and role of sludge cake formation in MBRs.     

Extracellular Polymeric Substances in Fouling Layer

Abstract

Membrane biofouling via microbial products limits the feasibility of utilizing membrane bioreactor (MBR) for treating wastewater. Fouling layer would be built up when activated sludge was filtered with a mixed cellulose ester membrane. This study probed the three‐dimensional distributions of protein, α‐polysaccharide, and β‐polysaccharide in fouling layer using fluorescently labeled lectins and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) as staining agents in combination with confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). These extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) distributed heterogeneously in the fouling layer, with α‐polysaccharide being concentrated close to the membrane surface. The flow pattern yielded in the fouling layer determines the filtration resistance of biofouling.     

渣油换热器结垢热阻的预测模型研究

采用传热量测量法测定了渣油在不同运行条件下的结垢热阻 ,研究了渣油结垢热阻随时间、流速和温度的变化规律。在分析渣油结垢机理的基础上 ,提出了结垢动力学模型 ,对实验室测定结果进行非线性回归 ,得出计算渣油结垢热阻的半经验公式。该公式用于放大工业炼油装置 ,结垢热阻的计算值与文献报道的实际标定值比较接近     

两种膜生物反应器工艺在养殖废水处理中的运行效果

采用动态膜生物反应器（dynamic membrane bioreactor,DMBR）和膜生物反应器（membrane bioreactor,MBR）两种处理工艺,研究在相同条件下对养殖废水的处理效果和运行条件。结果表明,不同溶解氧（dissolve oxygen,DO）条件下,DMBR和MBR对CODMn的去除率可达95%以上。DO为0～1 mg/L条件下,DMBR和MBR的总氮平均去除率分别达到71.4%、75.8%;在DO为2～3 mg/L条件下,DMBR和MBR的总氮平均去除率分别为46.3%、44.1%。DMBR和MBR两种工艺均能达到较好的污染物去除效果。MBR的过滤压差明显高于DMBR,低DO条件下（0～1 mg/L）的运行周期约为5天,DMBR采用重力流出水,运行周期约为10天,过滤压差最高时仅为3.97 kPa,在一定程度上克服MBR成本高、易污染等缺点。     

膜生物反应器处理废水技术研究的进展

引用了40篇参考文献，综述了膜生物反应器处理生活污水及有机废水的特点，重点阐述了膜生物反应器中超滤膜污染的主要原因及相应的防治措施，并就膜生物反应器的研究现状，提出一些建议。     

Effects of Operating Modes on the Rejection Behavior using Ceramic Membranes

Abstract

Fouling generally occurs above the so-called “critical flux,” below which steady-state membrane permeability is assumed to be attainable. Operation at sub-critical fluxes can thus be used to minimize membrane fouling. However, rejection behavior may be affected as a consequence of operating within this sub-critical mode that sustains the desirable permeate flux. In this study, the effluent from a synthetic activated sludge production process was used in the assessment of the performance of membrane microfiltration, as a pretreatment in desalination for wastewater reuse. The critical flux was identified using the step-by-step technique. Different operating regimes i.e. above and below the critical flux were used to assess the relationship between solute rejection and membrane fouling. When operating at sub critical mode, rejection was constant even under increasing transmembrane pressure (TMP). This arises mainly from the back transport of particles in the absence of cake formation. Beyond the critical regime, cake formation occurred and rejection increased with increasing TMP. At the critical regime, a decline in rejection was obtained. This rejection behavior was consistent over the three pore sizes that were investigated. Increasing the pore size appears to decrease the rejection at both regimes. This is because larger pore size allows the transmission of smaller particles and a less compact cake formation under and above the critical flux regime respectively. It appears from this study that one may be able to use rejection behavior to confirm and determine the critical flux and adds to the confidence of using the step-by-step method to determine the critical flux.     

New configuration of a membrane bioreactor for effective control of membrane fouling and nutrients removal in wastewater treatment

Excess aeration to membrane surface is common for controlling membrane fouling in a submerged membrane bioreactor (MBR) system, but significant energy is consumed for excess air production. Therefore, an alternative strategy for membrane fouling control is currently needed. A new configuration of MBR was proposed in this study to control membrane fouling effectively. To reduce biosolids concentration near the membrane surface, the position of the membrane module in MBR was elevated from the bottom to the top in the reactor. This could divide the reactor to two different zones: upper and lower zone. Air was not supplied at the lower zone whereas aeration was given to the upper zone where the membrane filtration was carried out. Biosolids concentration was reduced in the upper zone because the mixed liquor was settled down to the lower zone. Membrane fouling could be lessened in the upper zone due to the reduced biosolids concentration. Therefore, to verify if this new configuration of MBR could mitigate membrane fouling, the effect of changing vertical position of the membrane module in MBR on membrane fouling was investigated. Prior to verification the effect of elevation of membrane module on membrane fouling, influence of MLSS concentration on membrane fouling was investigated first. Transmembrane pressure (TMP) increase became steep as MLSS concentration increased. And the immersed membrane module was elevated from the bottom to the top of the MBR. When the upper membrane was located in the bioreactor, less membrane fouling was observed. This could demonstrate a possibility of new MBR design to control membrane fouling. In addition, reduced dissolved oxygen level in the returned sludge to anoxic tank could increase denitrification efficiency if this configuration is directly applied to biological nutrient removal processes.     

DMBR运行过程及膜污染影响因素研究进展

动态膜生物反应器(DMBR)是一种具有广泛应用前景的污水处理新技术,与传统膜生物反应器(MBR)相比,处理效果相当且膜通量更高、膜污染更容易控制。简要分析了自生动态膜及预涂动态膜的形成过程和再生过程,并从膜材料、活性污泥的性质以及运行条件等方面综述了膜污染影响因素的研究进展,指出DMBR研究应用中存在的问题及发展方向。     

膜生物反应器中污泥特性对膜污染的影响研究

膜生物反应器(MBR)是膜技术与污水生物技术的组合工艺，与传统污水处理工艺相比具有许多优点，但膜污染目前仍是限制MBR广泛应用的突出问题。有效的膜污染防治技术，可以增加膜通量，增强系统稳定性，减少系统维护和运行费用。在膜过滤过程中，污泥混合液的特性对于膜污染具有重要作用。近年来围绕污泥特性对膜污染的防治问题取得了许多研究成果，膜污染的数学模型研究也得到了很大发展。     

膜生物反应器中的膜污染及其再生

作为21世纪最具潜力的水处理技术之一,膜生物反应器受到越来越多的重视,在污水处理与回用中有着良好的应用前景,但膜污染和膜再生技术已成为制约其发展的瓶颈.介绍了膜污染的分类和机理,并从膜的性质、混合液的性质以及操作条件等方面对形成膜污染的影响因素及膜污染的防治进行了综述,同时阐述了几种常用的膜污染再生方法.     

膜生物反应器的运行和膜污染特征

研究了膜生物反应器的运行效果、膜污染特征。结果表明：膜生物反应器具有良好的污染物去除效果,在处理生活污水时COD的去除草达到90％以上,出水COD控制在80mg·L^－1以下,NH4-N的去除效果能达到95％,出水NH4-N浓度10mg·L^-1以下,膜污染的过程呈现明显的“两段式”特点,即过膜压力缓慢上升阶段和快速上升阶段。采用NaOH＋NaClO联合清洗后,膜的过膜压力迅速下降,表明膜污染以有机污染为主。     

Heat exchanger fouling by olefin-kerosene mixtures

Fouling resistances of solutions of olefins in kerosene were measured on a hot wire probe and an annular probe operating in parallel at liquid temperatures of about 80°C and heat fluxes from 180-350 kW/m². Straight chain terminal olefins, octene-1 and decene-1 showed little fouling, whereas hexadecene-1, and the cyclic olefins 4-vinyl-cyclohexene, indene and dicyclopentadiene all showed marked fouling. The effects of heat flux, air versus nitrogen saturation, and the presence of an inhibitor were determined. The probable mechanism of fouling is discussed.     

Membrane bioreactors for hospital wastewater treatment: recent advancements in membranes and processes

Discharged hospital wastewater contains various pathogenic microorganisms, antibiotic groups, toxic organic compounds, radioactive elements, and ionic pollutants. These contaminants harm the environment and human health causing the spread of disease. Thus, effective treatment of hospital wastewater is an urgent task for sustainable development. Membranes, with controllable porous and nonporous structures, have been rapidly developed for molecular separations. In particular, membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology demonstrated high removal efficiency toward organic compounds and low waste sludge production. To further enhance the separation efficiency and achieve material recovery from hospital waste streams, novel concepts of MBRs and their applications are rapidly evolved through hybridizing novel membranes (non hydrophilic ultrafiltration/microfiltration) into the MBR units (hybrid MBRs) or the MBR as a pretreatment step and integrating other membrane processes as subsequent secondary purification step (integrated MBR-membrane systems). However, there is a lack of reviews on the latest advancement in MBR technologies for hospital wastewater treatment, and analysis on its major challenges and future trends. This review started with an overview of main pollutants in common hospital wastewater, followed by an understanding on the key performance indicators/criteria in MBR membranes (i.e., solute selectivity) and processes (e.g., fouling). Then, an in-depth analysis was provided into the recent development of hybrid MBR and integrated MBR-membrane system concepts, and applications correlated with wastewater sources, with a particular focus on hospital wastewaters. It is anticipated that this review will shed light on the knowledge gaps in the field, highlighting the potential contribution of hybrid MBRs and integrated MBR-membrane systems toward global epidemic prevention.