Critical Review on the Effects of Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids on Membrane Bioreactor Operation

Abstract

One of the characteristics of MBRs is that they typically operate with higher mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) concentration than activated sludge with a conventional settling tank. While higher MLSS has obvious benefits in terms of increasing the volumetric loading or the solids retention time, it can have negative impacts on system operation and economics. We critically evaluate three hypotheses on how high MLSS may adversely affect MBR operation:

• (1)?reduced membrane flux with high MLSS,

• (2)?decreased aeration alpha (α) value with high MLSS, and

• (3)?poorer thickening characteristics of excess sludge wasted from an MBR based on the Sludge Volume Index (SVI) and the Capillary Suction Time (CST).

The results support the first and second hypotheses, but not the third. Increasing MLSS decreases the critical permeate flux, but the effect is strong only for MLSS<～5 g/L. For the typical MLSS zone (>～5 g/L), flux‐management techniques to prevent serious cake formation are more important than MLSS. The aeration α decreases with increasing MLSS concentration, although the strength of the correlation depends on system‐specific factors that are poorly understood. Thickening properties of IMBR sludge are not significantly poorer than those of traditional activated sludge, based on available CST tests.     

PAC投加量对MBR混合液性质及膜污染的影响

比较了1g／L及2g／L的PAC投加量对膜生物反应器中混合液性质及膜污染速率的差异。发现两系统上清液COD差距不明显,说明1g／L的PAC投加量忆足以吸附小分子的有机物。当PAC从1g／L增至2g／L时,从微生物絮体中提取的多糖平均值分别为：14．92mg／gMLSS、15．38mg／gMLSS;蛋白质平均值分别为18．82mg／gMLSS、17．58mg／gMLSS;且膜丝内部累积的多糖和蛋白质含量基本相同。当PAC投加量为2g／L时,部分破碎的PAC颗粒会进入膜孔内部,引起不可逆污染。     

重力出流式膜生物反应器污泥浓度的优化控制

采用重力出流式膜生物反应器(Membrane Bioreactor, MBR)工艺对生活污水进行了实验研究. 重力出流式MBR是利用液位水头重力驱动出水,整个系统结构紧凑,操作简便. 结果表明,随着污泥浓度增大(3.9~18.4 g/L),同样的曝气强度对膜表面滤饼层的剪切能力降低,膜通量下降;污泥粘度从5.4 mPa×s上升到680 mPa×s,相应的污泥中的传氧系数与清水中的传氧系数之比a从0.89降到0.10. 因此,从提高膜通量、氧传递速率和降低能耗的角度出发,将MBR的污泥浓度控制在适当范围是非常必要的. 此外,当污泥浓度大于4.8 g/L,污泥浓度的提高对有机物的去除、硝化以及反硝化速率的提高没有明显的贡献. 因此,从MBR的处理能力和运行能耗的双重影响确定MBR的最佳处理污泥浓度值为4~6 g/L,在该浓度区间,生物反应器系统对冲击负荷有较好的抵御能力,同时系统的运行能耗也较低.     

MLSS concentration: Still a poorly understood parameter in MBR filterability

In this paper Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) activated sludge is obtained from full scale MBRs and submitted to cross-flow filtration using always the same membrane and operational conditions. Samples are diluted in order to create suspensions with different Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids (MLSS) concentrations. MLSS values varied between 3.6 and 18.3 g/L. Contrary to literature results filterability did not present a continuous increase with decreasing MLSS concentrations. Activated sludge with MLSS concentration exceeding 10 g/L originated dilution samples with worse filterability. The dilution caused an increase of particles in the range 10 to 20 μm and a decrease in the range 30 to 100 μm. The activated sludge samples had non- Newtonian viscosity and Soluble Microbial Products (SMP) concentrations varied between 60 and 11 mg/L. Activated sludge samples with MLSS concentrations exceeding 10 g/L are entrapping particles smaller than 20 μm in the activated sludge bulk that therefore are not contributing to the increase of resistance on the membrane. Activated sludge samples with lower MLSS concentrations do not show the capability to entrap particles. These different behaviours suggest that are optimal MLSS concentration ranges for MBR operation.     

Comparison of the filtration characteristics between biological powdered activated carbon sludge and activated sludge in submerged membrane bioreactors

The filtration performances of submerged membrane bioreactors (SMBR) with and without the addition of powdered activated carbon (PAC) were investigated respectively under the same feed and operation conditions. A series of experiments were conducted to analyze near-critical flux, effect of air-scouring rate and time of stable filtration operation of both systems. The experimental results demonstrated that pronounced flux enhancement was achieved by adding 1.2 g/L PAC. The near-critical flux for the biological powdered activated carbon (BPAC) system was about 32% higher than that for the activated sludge (AS) system. Increasing the air-scouring rate led to a more significant flux improvement for the BPAC system compared to the AS system. Long-term operation indicated that, at constant flux, the TMP increasing rate of the BPAC system could be lagged and thus cause the extension of operating intervals about 1.8 times compared to the AS system. Quantitative calculations showed the total hydraulic resistance of the BPAC system was about 44% lower than that of the AS system, and this decrease was mainly caused by the reduction in cake resistance. Analyses were then made from various aspects such as floc size distribution and apparent viscosity of the mixed liquor to elucidate the major factors giving rise to different filtration characteristics.     

Effect of Sludge Retention Time on Membrane Bio‐Fouling Intensity in a Submerged Membrane Bioreactor

Abstract

The submerged membrane bioreactor (sMBR) is being increasingly applied for municipal and industrial wastewater treatment. This paper examines the role of sludge retention time (SRT), an important operating parameter of the MBR as it affects the biological characteristics of the sludge and therefore influences membrane fouling. Well controlled runs were carried out at short SRT (10days) and moderate SRT (30days) in a 30 L submerged MBR equipped with KUBOTA flat‐sheet membranes. At steady operation, the mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) stabilized at approximately 5–6 g/L and 8.5–10 g/L for SRT 10 and 30days respectively. The DGGE profiles suggested a shift in the dominant bacterial community with the prolonged SRT. The soluble microbial products (SMP) were 9.3 mg/L and 5.4 mg/L at the SRTs of 10days and 30days respectively. The total amount of extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) extracted from the floc and the supernatant was approximately constant at the two SRTs under the same organic loading rate. However, the polysaccharide concentration in the supernatant was about 100% higher for the SRT of 10days than that for 30days. The viscosity of the biomass increased with the prolonged SRT, while the estimated average air induced water velocity was similar for the two SRTs. The results of flux stepping tests showed that the membrane fouling rate (dTMP/dt) at SRT 10days was always higher than that at 30days at each flux step. Similarly, long term experimental runs at a constant flux of 20 L/m²·h clearly showed more severe membrane fouling for the SRT of 10days than that at 30days. This implies that fouling is more influenced by the concentration of SMP and Polysaccharides than the MLSS.     

Removal of perfluorinated compounds by membrane bioreactor with powdered activated carbon (PAC): Adsorption onto sludge and PAC

The comparative study was conducted to investigate the performance and removal efficiencies of PFOS and PFOA in MBR and PAC-MBR. Solid phase extraction (SPE) followed by HPLC coupled with tandem MS (HPLC/MS/MS) was applied to quantitatively identify PFOS and PFOA in aqueous and sludge samples. Removal efficiencies of these two compounds were less than 7% in MBR, which suggest that MBR could not effectively remove PFCs due to their persistent in the activated sludge process. In contrast, removal efficiencies of 77.4% for PFOS and 67.7% for PFOA were observed in PAC-MBR with PAC dosage of 30 mg/L, indicating that adsorption of PFCs onto PAC plays an important role in their removal. Moreover, with the increase of PAC dosage from 30 mg/L to 100 mg/L in PAC-MBR, removal efficiency for PFOS or PFOA both increased to more than 90%. Mass balance of PFOS and PFOA was established to explore their removal mechanisms in MBR and PAC-MBR. Results show that PAC-MBR can effectively remove these two compounds in the wastewater by PAC adsorption, which was identified as the major removal mechanism. In MBR, adsorption onto activated sludge was the only mechanism for removal of PFCs.     

Investigation of municipal and olive mill wastewater co‐treatment in activated sludge–powdered activated carbon (AS‐PAC) systems

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the co‐treatment of olive‐mill wastewater (OMW) and municipal wastewater in activated sludge systems operating in the absence and presence of different adsorbent materials and to study the role of sorption and biodegradation in total phenols removal. RESULTS: Batch experiments were initially conducted to investigate total phenols' adsorption capacity on activated sludge (AS), olive pomace (OP) and powdered activated carbon (PAC). According to the results, PAC presented the best adsorption capacity. Three sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) were also operated, treating municipal wastewater and different amounts of OMW. The first SBR contained AS (AS‐System), the second AS and OP (AS‐OP System) and the third AS and PAC (AS‐PAC System). All SBRs operated sufficiently in the presence of 1% v/v OMW, achieving mean COD and total phenols removal efficiency higher than 86% and 85%, respectively, and satisfactory settling capacity. Increase of OMW concentration to 5% v/v affected the performance of SBRs, resulting in mean COD removal efficiencies that ranged between 61% (AS‐OP System) and 80% (AS‐PAC System). CONCLUSION: Among the SBRs used, the AS‐PAC System operated with highest performance in the presence of 1 and 2.5% v/v OMW, and showed better stability in the presence of 5% v/v OMW. Calculation of total phenols mass flux revealed that biodegradation was the principal mechanism of their removal. The highest values of mean biotransformation rates were calculated for the AS‐PAC System and ranged between 2.0 and 40.6 d^?1 for different experimental phases. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Influence of Dissolved Organic Carbon and Suspension Viscosity on Membrane Fouling in Submerged Membrane Bioreactor

Abstract

This paper deals with the membrane fouling in membrane bioreactor (MBR). Based on the experimental data obtained in the MBR pilot plant study, the influence of F/M ratio on the irreversible and reversible fouling was discussed in the wide range of MLSS concentration. In the case of lower MLSS concentration (2,000–3,000 mg/L), irreversible fouling rate of membrane increased with increasing F/M ratio because of the accumulation of DOC in the mixed liquor. It seems that soluble microbial products with the similar size of the membrane pore will be most responsible for the irreversible fouling. In the case of higher MLSS concentration (8,000–12,000 mg/L), reversible fouling rate of membrane increased with increasing F/M ratio because of the increased suspension viscosity caused by the increased activated sludge size or volume even in the same MLSS concentration.     

流化床式MBR在高MLSS下污水处理研究

研究了高溶液悬浮固体浓度（MLSS）下流化床膜生物反应器污水处理的有关特性。实验结果表明,当MLSS为20～25g／L、填料填充率为59／6时,控制溶解氧（DO）为0．5～1．0mg／L、C／N为4～6、水力停留时间为4h,MBR工艺可实现很好的脱氮以及COD去除效果。在长期的实验中发现,此类型MBR在高MLSS有较好的耐冲击负荷能力、抗污染能力以及低污泥产率。     

A Novel Sponge‐Submerged Membrane Bioreactor (SSMBR) for Wastewater Treatment and Reuse

Abstract

Membrane fouling has been regarded as one of the biggest challenges to widespread application of membrane bioreactor (MBR). This study focuses on minimizing the membrane fouling and improving the performance of submerged membrane bioreactor (SMBR) by porous sponge addition. The effects of sponge addition on sustainable flux and membrane fouling were investigated. Acclimatized sponge could significantly increase the suspended growth in SMBR with biomass of 16.7 g/L_(sponge). With the sponge volume fraction of 10%, SSMBR could enhance sustainable flux up to 50 L/m² · h compared with sustainable flux of SMBR (only 25 L/m² · h). SSMBR also exhibited excellent results in terms of DOC removal (over 95%), COD removal (over 97%), lower transmembrane pressure development, and oxygen uptake rate. Over 89% of NH₄‐N and 98% of PO₄‐P were removed when SSMBR was operated with a MLSS concentration of 15 g/L.     

Optimum Process Parameters for the Treatment of Landfill Leachate Using Powdered Activated Carbon Augmented Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) Technology

The sequencing batch reactor (SBR) process was used for the treatment of raw landfill leachate. Optimum preliminary parameters of leachate/activated sludge ratio, powdered activated carbon (PAC) dosage, and settling time were studied. Optimum obtained parameters (mixing ratio of 10%, PAC dosage of 10 g/L, and settling time of 1.5 h) were applied on two types of SBRs, namely, non-powdered and powdered activated carbon (NPAC and PAC, respectively). Consequently, the effect of factors, the aeration rate and contact time, on both NPAC and PAC reactors were studied. Response surface methodology was used for the design, analysis, and optimization of the experiments. Removal efficiencies of ammonia (NH₃-N), color, chemical oxygen demand (COD), total dissolved salts (TDS), and sludge volume index (SVI) were measured for 13 experiments. Based on the obtained results, the optimum aeration rate and contact time for both NPAC and PAC reactors were 2 and 1 L/min and 5.56 and 5.5 h, respectively. Better performance (in terms of NH₃-N, color, COD, and TDS removal efficiencies and SVI values) was exhibited by PAC reactors rather than NPAC.     

The Impact of Intermittent Aeration on the Operation of Air‐Lift Tubular Membrane Bioreactors under Sub‐Critical Conditions

Abstract

An air‐lift sidestream polymeric multi‐tube membrane module has been investigated to compare the hydraulic performance of an MBR challenged with municipal wastewater and landfill leachate. In both cases the MBRs were operated under the same conditions of membrane aeration rate and sludge retention time, but with hydraulic retention time for the leachate set by scoping trials based on porous pots to 48 hours. Operation under conventional continuous aeration conditions yielded critical flux values, based on classical flux step experiments, of 36–42 l m^?2 hr^?1 for the sewage‐fed trial compared with ～24 l m^?2 hr^?1 for the leachate‐fed trial. Substantial improvements in operating flux, between 20 and 100%, were obtained when operating with air pulsing (1s on/s off). Intermittent operation under more conventional conditions (5s on/5s off) yielded no improvement.     

Critical flux aspect of air sparging and backflushing on membrane bioreactors

Membrane bioreactors (MBR) combine biological processes with membrane filtration. The main obstacle to efficient operation remains the deterioration of membrane permeability with time. One possible approach to the fouling issue is sub-critical flux operation. Other options are air sparging and backflushing. This study investigated the impact of air sparging and backflushing on flux enhancement, as well as exploring the relationship between use of these strategies and critical flux. The research was accomplished in pilot plant scale using a 70 L reactor fed with glucose-based synthetic wastewater at temperatures around 20°C and MLSS of approximately 10 g/L. Results showed that air sparging and backflushing each increased the flux in the MBR. Using both strategies at low transmembrane pressures (TMP) yielded the most substantial flux enhancement (factor 2) at sub-critical conditions. Without enhancement, no critical flux could be identified for permeate flow rates of less than 2/3 of the limiting flux, and the flux dropped to 20% of the limiting flux after 8 days in pseudo-steady state. With a combination of air sparging and backflushing at low TMP (38 kPa), it was possible to maintain flux for the same time frame at about 40% of the limiting flux. The fact that no fouling occurred indicates (by definition) sub-critical flux.     

膜生物反应器处理小区污水条件的优化

由于膜污染是限制膜生物反应器(MBR)应用与推广的主要因素。为此,本研究以MBR处理某小区污水为例,选择粉末活性炭投加量、活性污泥浓度及曝气量进行L12(43)正交试验,确定最佳的操作条件分别为2 g/L、7 g/L、6 m3/h;并在此基础上进行平行对比试验,其膜阻的最大差值达21.05 kPa,导致膜污染形成和发展的主要物质蛋白质/多糖值与膜压差上升速率存在线性关系。     

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.     

The effect of COD/N ratio on process performance and membrane fouling in a submerged bioreactor

Influent chemical oxygen demand/nitrogen (COD/N) ratio is used to control fouling in membrane bioreactor (MBR) systems. However, COD/N also affects the physicochemical and biological properties of MBR biomass. The current study examined the relationship between COD/N ratio in feed wastewater and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) production in MBRs. Two identical submerged MBRs with different COD/N ratios of 10:1 and 5:1 were operated in parallel. The cation concentration and floc-size of the sludge were measured. The composition and characteristics of bound EPS and soluble microbial products (SMP) under each COD/N ratio were also examined. Batch tests were conducted in 1000 mL bottles to study the process of the release of foulants from the sludge when 1 g of (NH₄⁺-N)/L was added. Results showed that the influent COD/N ratio could change the physicochemical properties of EPS and SMP. Moreover, excessive NH₄⁺ in the supernatant could facilitate the role of NH₄⁺ as a monovalent cation, the replacement of the polyvalent cation in bound EPS, and even the extraction of EPS components from the surface of the sludge to form new SMP.     

Application of an ozonation–adsorption–ultrafiltration system for surface water treatment

Investigations are presented on the effect of the preliminary ozonation on ultrafiltration (UF) and powdered activated carbon (PAC) /UF process performance, especially on permeate flux decline and the effectiveness of model organics removal. Flat membranes from regenerated cellulose were used. A model solution was prepared as a mixture of humic acids and phenol. PAC dosage was equal to 100 mg/l⁻¹. The ozone dosages were in the range of 1–3 mg O₃ l⁻¹ (0.2–0.6 mg O₃/mg TOC). It was found that the most advantageous configuration was preliminary ozonation with an ozone dosage of 0.4 mgO₃/mg TOC–UF. The permeate flux reached a value equal to the pure water flux value. Moreover, a very high effectiveness of model organics removal was obtained: TOC was reduced by about 96% and UV₂₅₄ absorbance was removed completely. When PAC was added to the feed containing humic acids without ozonation, a drop in a permeate flux was observed compared to UF. Similarly, the addition of PAC to feed treated with ozone resulted in a significant drop in the permeate flux in comparison with pure water flux, regardless of ozone dosage applied.     

Effect of thermochemical sludge pretreatment on sludge reduction and on performances of anoxic‐aerobic membrane bioreactor treating low strength domestic wastewater

BACKGROUND: Reduction of excess sludge production has become an urgent issue. An investigation into the influence of thermochemical sludge pretreatment on sludge reduction in a bench‐scale anoxic‐aerobic membrane bioreactor was performed. Two systems were operated. In one system, part of the mixed liquid (1.5% of the influent flow rate) was pretreated thermochemically (at 80 °C, pH 11 and 3 h) and returned to the bioreactor. This study examined and evaluated the effect of thermochemical sludge pretreatment on the reduction of excess sludge and on the performance of the system. RESULTS: The average solubilization efficiency of the pretreated sludge was found to be about 0.2. The sludge production rate of the experimental system (E‐MBR) was less than that of the control (C‐MBR) by about 33%. The total phosphorus was removed mainly by normal cell synthesis, with removal efficiencies of 38–40% and 40–42% for the E‐MBR and C‐MBR, respectively. The total nitrogen removal in the E‐MBR was slightly higher than in the C‐MBR due to supply of soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) from the digested sludge solution as an external carbon source. The mixed liquor volatile suspended solids (MLVSS) and mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) ratios for the two systems were almost identical, in the range 74–77%, indicating that the inorganics from the disintegrated cells do not accumulate as particulates in the reactor. The TMP was maintained at less than 6 cmHg for 180 days without membrane cleaning. CONCLUSION: Thermochemical sludge pretreatment can play an important role in reducing sludge production. The qualities of the effluent water were not significantly affected during 6 months of operation. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

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.