Effects of mixed liquor suspended solid concentrations on membrane bioreactor efficiency for treatment of food industry wastewater

• Published in: Desalination 2004-08, Vol.167 (1-3), p.153-158
• Main Authors: Katayon, S., Megat Mohd Noor, M.J., Ahmad, J., Abdul Ghani, L.A., Nagaoka, H., Aya, H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activated Sludge; Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Chemical engineering; Exact sciences and technology; Food engineering; Food industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; General purification processes; Membrane bioreactor; Methods. Procedures. Technologies; Microfiltration; Mixed liquor suspended solids; MLSS; Others; Pollution; Reactors; Various methods and equipments; Wastewater treatment; Wastewaters; Water treatment and pollution
• ISSN: 0011-9164; 1873-4464
• DOI: 10.1016/j.desal.2004.06.124

This study investigated the impact of mixed liquor suspended solid (MLSS) concentrations on the performance of a membrane bioreactor for treating food industry wastewater. The membrane bioreactor was mainly made up of an activated sludge reactor and microfiltration hollow-fibre membrane. Two experimental procedures consisting of low and high MLSS concentrations were set up. The process at low MLSS concentrations provided a higher degree of treatment in terms of suspended solids (99.2%) and turbidity (99.73%) removals. The mean flux value of process at low MLSS concentrations (5.03 L/m 2.h) was found higher than those at high MLSS concentrations (2.27 L/m 2.h). Furthermore, the effectiveness of MLSS concentrations was greatly influenced by the position of the membrane modules. Higher turbidity and suspended solids removals and higher flux values were obtained with a horizontally positioned membrane module compared to a vertically placed membrane module.