Design and evaluation of degassed anaerobic membrane biofilm reactors for improved methane recovery

• Published in: Bioresource technology reports 2020-06, Vol.10, p.100407-100407, Article 100407
• Main Authors: Crone, Brian C., Sorial, George A., Pressman, Jonathan G., Ryu, Hodon, Keely, Scott P., Brinkman, Nichole, Bennett-Stamper, Christina, Garland, Jay L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: AnMBR; Attached growth reactor; Dissolved methane recovery; Domestic wastewater treatment; Energy neutral wastewater treatment; Membrane degassing
• ISSN: 2589-014X; 2589-014X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biteb.2020.100407

Anaerobic treatment of domestic wastewater (DWW) produces dissolved methane that needs to be recovered for use as an energy product. Membrane-based recovery systems have been reported in the literature but are often limited by fouling. The objective of this study was to develop a methane producing biofilm on the shell side surface a membrane to allow for immediate recovery of methane as it was produced, negating mass transfer resistance caused by fouling. Between 89 and 96% of total methane produced was recovered via in-situ degassing without the need for fouling control or cleaning throughout 72 weeks of operation. High methane recovery efficiencies led to predictions of net positive energy yield in one reactor and a 32–61% reduction in energy demand in the others compared to the control. This research demonstrates the feasibility and usefulness of combining attached growth anaerobic wastewater treatment processes with hollow fiber membrane methane recovery systems for improved operation. [Display omitted] •DAMBRs were operated with >90% methane recovery for 72 weeks without cleaning.•COD removal in all reactors was >76%.•Feasibility of DAMBR for treatment and methane recovery was demonstrated.•Biofilm was characterized through FISH and Sequencing and analysis of 16 s Genes.