Manipulating filterability of MBR activated sludge by pulsed substrate addition

Membrane (ultra)filtration of activated sludge from membrane bioreactors (MBR) is usually performed with low fluxes. This is done to prevent membrane fouling and system failure. However, even when operated with low fluxes, filterability of the biomass can fluctuate in time considerably. Among the ma...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Desalination 2005-07, Vol.178 (1), p.193-201
Main Authors: Evenblij, Herman, Verrecht, Bart, van der Graaf, J.H.J.M., Van der Bruggen, B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Biological and medical sciences
Biotechnology
Chemical engineering
EPS
Exact sciences and technology
Fouling
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
General purification processes
Membrane bioreactor
Membrane separation (reverse osmosis, dialysis...)
Methods. Procedures. Technologies
Others
Pollution
Reactors
Various methods and equipments
Wastewater treatment
Wastewaters
Water treatment and pollution
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Summary:Membrane (ultra)filtration of activated sludge from membrane bioreactors (MBR) is usually performed with low fluxes. This is done to prevent membrane fouling and system failure. However, even when operated with low fluxes, filterability of the biomass can fluctuate in time considerably. Among the many causes that are mentioned to explain this phenomenon, changes in influent quality and quantity seem most probable. Until now, only little work was done to quantify effects of transient conditions in feeding pattern of an MBR. This paper describes experiments in which 25 L samples of the biomass from an MBR system were fed with an easily biodegradable carbon source. The filterability of the biomass was monitored with standardised filtration characterisation measurements. Along with filtration characterisation the water phase of the activated sludge was analysed for extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Due to the addition of acetate the filterability of the biomass deteriorated, whereas the EPS concentration in the water phase increased. Activated sludges from different MBR-pilots react differently in terms of filterability development.
ISSN:0011-9164
1873-4464
DOI:10.1016/j.desal.2005.02.006