Moving bed anaerobic membrane bioreactor for low-strength wastewater treatment

• Published in: Case studies in chemical and environmental engineering 2023-12, Vol.8, p.100391, Article 100391
• Main Authors: Tran, Hoai Son, Tran Thi Viet, Nga, Heaven, Sonia, Banks, Charles J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anaerobic membrane bioreactor; Membrane fouling; Municipal wastewater; Particulars
• ISSN: 2666-0164; 2666-0164
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cscee.2023.100391

Anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBR) combine biological processes with membrane separation in anaerobic conditions and have gained significant attention due to their high effluent quality, low energy consumption and sludge production, and biogas generation. A Moving Bed Anaerobic membrane bioreactor is an AnMBR in which particles are added to control the membrane fouling. In this research, two Moving Bed AnMBR with polyethylene glycol (PEG) granules added at around 10–15% of the reactor volume were applied for low-strength wastewater treatment at ambient temperature, for high efficiency and easy control of membrane fouling. After 240 days of operation, the COD removal rate was higher than 90%, the specific methane production was 0.23–0.28 L/gCODremoved, the CH4 ratio in biogas was 90–92% and the membrane function remained without fouling. PEG particles were shown to be effective for controlling membrane fouling and recovery of the membrane flux. The results suggest this AnMBR configuration could be a promising solution for municipal wastewater treatment. [Display omitted] •AnMBR was suitable for low-strength wastewater treatment with high performance.•Addition of 10–15% PEG particles was able to increase membrane flux by 60–66%.•COD removal efficiency of 90–94% with COD effluent below 75 mg/L.•Average methane yield of 0.24 and 0.28 L CH4/g CODremoved.•The proportion of biogas produced was 82–90% and the CH4 ratio was 90–92%.