A modeling study of fouling development in membrane bioreactors for wastewater treatment.

Membrane fouling is a primary concern in membrane bioreactors (MBRs) in wastewater treatment because it strongly affects both system stability and economic feasibility. A mathematical model was developed in this study for membrane fouling in submerged MBR systems for wastewater treatment, in which both reversible and irreversible fouling were quantified. While mixed liquor suspended solids are the major components of the reversible fouling layer, dissolved organic matter is thought to be the key foulant, in particular, responsible for the long-term irreversible fouling of the filtration unit. The model was calibrated (parameter identification) with a set of operational data from a pilot MBR and then verified with other independent operational data from the MBR. The good agreement between theoretical predictions and operational data demonstrates that the outlined modeling concept can be successfully applied to describe membrane fouling in submerged MBR systems.     

Effect of membrane type and material on performance of a submerged membrane bioreactor

This study evaluated the impact of membrane type and material on filtration performance in a submerged membrane bioreactor (MBR) for municipal wastewater treatment. Three types of microfiltration membranes with similar pore size of 0.1 microm but different materials and types, phase-inversed polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), track-etched polycarbonate (PCTE) and track-etched polyester (PETE), were used. Changes in permeability with time for the PCTE and PTFE membranes appeared similarly, whereas the PETE membrane exhibited the most rapid flux decline. Lower TOC in the permeate compared to the supernatant was probably due to a combination of biodegradation by the biofilm (cake layer) developed on the membrane surface and further filtration by cake layer and narrowed pores. The faster permeability decline and higher TOC removal rate of the PETE membrane were attributed to an initial permeate flux higher than an average design flux, which led to a faster rate of fouling and thicker cake layer. Therefore, an MBR should not be operated at a flux higher than the average design flux for a specific type of membrane. A gradual increment of biomass concentration did not significantly affect membrane permeability of each membrane investigated. Dissolved organic carbon fractionation results showed that the composition of each fraction between the supernatant and permeates did not change significantly with time, suggesting that membrane hydrophobicity was not a dominant factor affecting MBR fouling in this study. The organic foulants desorbed from the PCTE membrane contained approximately 60% of hydrophobic fraction, which was probably attributable to the extracellular polymeric substances proteins released from the biomass attached to the membrane. While the total filtration resistance of the PTFE membrane was influenced by a higher surface roughness, those of the PETE and PCTE membranes, which had a similar and lower roughness, were affected by the initial operating flux.     

Performance investigation of membrane bioreactor systems during municipal wastewater reclamation.

Four commercially available membrane bioreactor (MBR) systems were operated at the pilot scale, to investigate performance during the reclamation of municipal wastewater. The MBR performance was evaluated under a variety of operating conditions, including two types of feed wastewater (raw and advanced primary effluent), hydraulic retention times (HRTs) ranging from 2 to 6 hours, and permeate fluxes between 20 and 41 lmh. Test results showed that MBR systems were capable of operating on advanced primary effluent, despite the possible presence of coagulant and/or polymer residual, with minimal membrane fouling. Membrane performance data generated during this study was also used to quantify the relationship between permeate flux and membrane fouling. Cleaning intervals at various flux conditions were estimated as follows: 69 days at 20 lmh, 58 days at 25 lmh, and 30 days for operation between 31 and 41 lmh. It was also demonstrated that the MBR process could be optimized to operate with minimal fouling under high hydraulic (flux = 37 lmh) and organic loading (HRT = 2 hours and food-to-microorganism ratio = 0.33 g COD/g VSS x d) conditions. Water quality monitoring conducted throughout the study showed that each MBR system consistently produced an oxidized (5-day biochemical oxygen demand < 2 mg/L) and nitrified (ammonia < 1 mg-N/L) effluent low in particulate matter (turbidity < 0.1 NTU), under all conditions tested.     

一体式膜-生物反应器中膜污染过程的动态分析

膜污染过程的动态研究对于有效地控制膜污染意义重大。结合膜过滤压差的上升和污染膜表面微观形态的变化 ,对不同污泥浓度和膜通量条件下 ,一体式膜 生物反应器中膜污染过程进行了动态分析。结果表明 ,膜污染初期主要是水中溶解性物质在膜表面附着 ,随后污泥在膜表面沉积。溶解性有机物在膜面的附着 ,对膜过滤压差即膜过滤阻力的变化影响不大 ,而活性污泥在膜表面的大量沉积将导致膜过滤压差迅速上升。污泥浓度愈高 ,膜通量愈大时 ,活性污泥颗粒愈易在膜面沉积。通过停止进出水维持空曝气、降低反应器内污泥浓度或延长膜的停抽时间可以使沉积在膜表面的悬浮污泥脱离膜表面 ,从而使膜过滤能力得到很好的恢复。采用经典的膜污染模型对各运行阶段膜污染模式进行了分析 ,模型拟合结果与电镜观察结果基本吻合。     

在线超声对流化床膜生物反应器污泥混合液性能影响的研究

在流化床膜生物反应器中引入在线超声辐射来控制膜污染,超声功率为300 W、频率分别为中频(50 kHz)和中低频(50 kHz和25 kHz)混合频率,考察了在线超声对反应器内混合液性能的影响及对膜污染的控制效果。结果表明,中频超声辐射不会对反应器内混合液的污泥浓度和粘度产生显著影响,而中低频超声辐射会降低混合液的污泥浓度并造成混合液粘度的升高。2种频率的超声辐射对污泥混合液的过滤性能和污泥活性都有一定的改善作用。连续运行26 d和29d后,在中频和中低频超声辐射的作用下,超声流化床膜生物反应器比普通流化床膜生物反应器的跨膜压差分别低8 kPa和14 kPa,说明2种频率的在线超声均可显著延缓膜污染。     

Evaluation of membrane bioreactor process capabilities to meet stringent effluent nutrient discharge requirements.

A six-stage membrane bioreactor (MBR) pilot plant was operated to determine and demonstrate the capability of this process to produce a low-nutrient effluent, consistent with the nutrient reduction goals for the Chesapeake Bay. Biological nitrogen removal was accomplished using a multistage configuration with an initial anoxic zone (using the carbon in the influent wastewater), an aerobic zone (where nitrification occurred), a downstream anoxic zone (where methanol was added as a carbon source), and the aerated submerged membrane zone. The capability to reliably reduce effluent total nitrogen to less than 3 mg/L as nitrogen (N) was demonstrated. A combination of biological (using an initial anaerobic zone) and chemical (using alum) phosphorus removal was used to achieve effluent total phosphate concentrations reliably less than 0.1 mg/L as phosphorus (P) and as low as 0.03 mg/L as P. Alum addition also appeared to enhance the filtration characteristics of the MBR sludge and to reduce membrane fouling. Aeration of the submerged membranes results in thickened sludge with a high dissolved oxygen concentration (approaching saturation), which can be recycled to the main aeration zone rather than to an anoxic or anaerobic zone to optimize biological nutrient removal. Biological nutrient removal was characterized using the International Water Association Activated Sludge Model No. 2d. The stoichiometry of chemical phosphorus removal was also consistent with conventional theory and experience. The characteristics of the solids produced in the MBR were compared with those of a parallel full-scale conventional biological nitrogen removal process and were generally found to be similar. These results provide valuable insight to the design and operating characteristics of MBRs intended to produce effluents with very low nutrient concentrations.     

Parameters governing permeate flux in an anaerobic membrane bioreactor treating low-strength municipal wastewaters: a literature review.

The objective of this review was to conduct a comprehensive literature survey to identify the parameters that govern the permeate flux in an anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) treating municipal wastewater. Based on the survey, research to date indicates that the optimal membrane system for an AnMBR consists of an organic, hydrophilic, and negatively charged membrane with a pore size of approximately 0.1 microm. The use of both external and submerged membrane configurations shows promise. The operating parameters that affect permeate flux in an external membrane system are transmembrane pressure (TMP) and cross-flow velocity. The operating parameters that affect permeate flux in a submerged membrane system are TMP, sparging intensity, and duration of the relaxation period. Both cross-flow velocity and sparging intensity impart a significant amount of shear force on the biomass in an AnMBR. High shear forces can reduce the microbial activity in an AnMBR. In addition, high shear forces can reduce the size of the biosolids in the mixed liquor and increase the release of soluble microbial products. In this respect, external and submerged membrane systems are expected to perform differently because the magnitude of the shear forces to which the biomass is exposed in an external membrane system is significantly greater than that in a submerged system. The size of the biosolid particles and concentration of soluble microbial products in the mixed liquor affect permeate flux. Higher concentrations of soluble microbial products may be present in the mixed liquor when an AnMBR is operated at relatively low operating temperatures. Aerobic polishing following anaerobic treatment can potentially significantly reduce the concentration of some components of the soluble microbial products in the mixed liquor. It is not possible to remove the foulant layer on an organic membrane with caustic cleaning alone. Acidic cleaning or acidic cleaning followed by caustic cleaning is required to remove the foulant layer. This suggests that both biological/organic and inorganic material contribute to membrane fouling.     

生物制剂对MBR中无纺布膜组件过滤性能的影响

研究了生物制剂对浸渍式膜生物反应器(submerged membrane bioreactor,SMBR)中聚丙烯无纺布(non-wov-en fabric,NWF)膜组件过滤性能的影响。结果表明,能减少膜组件表面附着污泥胞外聚合物(extra-cellular polymeric sub-stances,EPS)的含量及污泥的沉积,减缓膜通量的衰减速率和膜污染,无纺布膜组件的过滤性能得到明显改善,表现出一定的耐污染性。生物制剂能改善污泥的沉降性能,有效防止污泥膨胀;对MBR的COD去除率基本没有影响,但略微增大了处理水的浊度。     

Electrocoagulation-integrated hybrid membrane processes for the treatment of tannery wastewater

Three different combinations of treatment techniques, i.e. electrocoagulation combined with microfiltration (EMR), membrane bioreactor (MBR) and electrocoagulation integrated with membrane bioreactor (hybrid MBR, (HMBR)), were analysed and compared for the treatment of tannery wastewater operated for 7 days under the constant trans-membrane pressure of 5 kPa. HMBR was found to be most suitable in performance as well as fouling reduction, with 94 % of chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal, 100 % chromium removal and 8 % improvement in percentage reduction in permeate flux compared to MBR with only 90 % COD removal and 67 % chromium removal. The effect of mixed liquor suspended solids on fouling was also investigated and was found to be insignificant. EMR was capable of elevating the flux but was not as efficient as HMBR and MBR in COD removal. Fouling reduction by HMBR was further confirmed by SEM-EDX and particle size analysis.     

Effect of alum addition on the performance of submerged membranes for wastewater treatment.

The effect of aluminum sulfate (alum) addition on membrane performance was investigated, with a particular focus on membrane fouling. During initial operation, alum was added and the performance monitored. After terminating alum addition, the transmembrane pressure (TMP), which is indicative of membrane resistance to flow or fouling, increased. Accompanying the increase in TMP was an increase in the organic nonsettleable fraction (colloidal + dissolved) content of the mixed liquor and deterioration of permeate quality and floc strength. Permeate polysaccharide concentrations increased significantly, suggesting a preferential binding of solution polysaccharides by alum. Upon reinitiating alum addition, the TMP only partially recovered, indicating some irreversible fouling, while mixed liquor nonsettleable organic material, permeate quality, and floc strength returned to initial levels. These results suggest that direct alum addition to membrane bioreactors can improve membrane performance by reducing the organic fouling material and improving floc structure and strength. It appears that bulk liquid polysaccharides may contribute to irreversible membrane fouling, and this fraction can be efficiently controlled through the alum addition.     

投加氢氧化铁对SMBR中膜污染的防治

通过向浸没式膜生物反应器(简称SMBR)中投加氢氧化铁絮体,经过驯化后,进而形成生物铁污泥,来实现膜污染的防治。在对模拟印染废水的处理过程中,从操作压力变化、膜污染电镜照片、污泥显微镜照片、污泥粒径分布等测定和观察结果来看,投加氢氧化铁絮体后增加了膜水通量,减小了膜污染。在机理上对此进行了详细的分析.     

膜-生物反应器处理超市废水中污泥性质与膜污染关系分析

在以处理超市废水实际工程的基础上,通过对污泥性质中的胞外聚合物(EPS)、溶解性微生物产物(SMPs)、溶解性COD(SCOD)和污泥浓度(MLSS)变化的分析,得出EPS积累的原因是多方面的,而EPS的过度积累对沉降性能有一定的恶化作用;此外,EPS与SMPs有很好的相关性.作者采用SPSS软件对污泥性质与膜污染之间...     

MFC-MBR耦合系统运行效果

膜生物反应器(MBR)是一种高效的污水处理工艺,而微生物燃料电池(MFC)能有效降解污泥中的胞外生物有机质(EBOM)并回收电能.将MFC与MBR联用,建立了一套能够有效抑制膜污染同时回收电能的新系统——MFC-MBR耦合系统,MBR的剩余污泥经MFC处理后回流.以传统MBR为对照,对耦合系统中污水处理效果、膜污染情况和污泥混合液的性质进行研究.研究表明,耦合系统的污水处理效果没有明显恶化,COD去除率为94％,NH4+-N的去除率为92％.耦合系统能够有效减缓膜污染的发生,清洗周期延长了28％.污泥混合液的MLVSS/MLSS稳定在80％ ～ 88％,系统内几乎没有无机颗粒积累.松散结合态胞外聚合物(LB-EPS)降低了48％,使污泥混合液性质得到改善.较低的污泥比阻(2.69×1012m/kg)和标准化毛细吸水时间(1.67 s·L/g MLSS),证明耦合系统污泥混合液脱水性能提高了.     

膜生物反应器处理微污染水源水的研究与应用现状

膜生物反应器及其组合工艺能实现水源水中微污染物的有效去除,是一种新型高效水处理工艺.总结了膜生物反应器处理微污染水源水的研究与应用现状、污染物去除效果和机制;在分析膜污染机制基础上归纳了膜污染控制和污染膜清洗方式,展望了膜生物反应器在给水领域应用需克服解决的技术难点.     

MBR净化受污染地表水的自然启动及稳定运行除污染特性

为了考察膜生物反应器(MBR)净化受污染地表水自然启动过程中功能菌群的成熟规律及碱度对MBR去除水中氨氮的影响,通过构建小试规模的MBR,考察了MBR处理受污染地表水的自然启动和稳定运行除污染特性。结果表明,MBR在自然启动过程中不会出现异养菌成熟的标志,系统对进水DOC、UV254和CODMn的平均去除率分别仅为(14.5±5.1)%、(12.6±5.6)%和(31.2±7.4)%,应考虑将其他工艺与MBR联用以提高系统的有机物去除能力。启动23天后,MBR中的亚硝化细菌成熟,NH3-N去除率达到80%以上;启动31 d后,MBR中的硝化细菌成熟,出水NO2--N稳定在0.05mg/L以下。碱度对MBR去除NH3-N效能影响较大,向进水中投加30 mg/L的NaHCO3能使MBR对NH3-N的去除率由(86.1±3.7)%提高至(98.0±1.6)%。在连续曝气、10 L/(m2.h)通量、每10 min反洗15 s运行模式下,MBR的膜污染较为严重,平均TMP增长速率为0.45 kPa/d,需进一步优化相关参数以实现MBR的长期稳定运行。     

机械清洗法对MBR膜泥饼层的影响

膜污染是制约MBR发展的瓶颈。考察投加ABS颗粒对MBR膜组件上膜泥饼层的影响,并设对照实验。结果表明,对照MBR膜通量下降速度快,膜污染严重,膜表面上累积厚厚的泥饼层,而在ABS MBR中膜通量下降速度则缓慢的多,且膜上泥饼层积累量则明显少于对照MBR;曝气量越大,颗粒运行的速度也越快,泥饼层被撞落量也越多;颗粒以碰撞角度为45°冲刷膜的情况下,泥饼层掉落效果明显增加;泥饼层包裹的膜丝根数越多,泥饼层的静摩擦力和保持泥饼层不被破坏的力也越大,泥饼层就越难被冲刷掉。SEM照片显示,ABS MBR的膜孔堵塞要严重于对照MBR,表面的褶皱要较对照MBR多。     

絮体性质对纳滤膜污染的影响

混凝过程产生的絮体会对后续膜过滤性能产生一定的影响。实验中利用激光粒度仪研究2种混凝剂(AlCl3和PAC)在不同投加量下的絮体性质,混凝出水(不经过沉淀)直接进入纳滤膜(NF270)装置进行过滤实验。研究表明,投加量低(<0.20 mmol/L)的情况下,混凝出水反而使纳滤通量衰减发生恶化,随着投加量的增加,纳滤膜通量衰减得到有效的减缓。直接过滤腐殖酸(HA)的膜通量衰减(J/J0)为0.65,投加量为0.50 mmol/L时,AlCl3和PAC 2种混凝剂产生的通量衰减(J/J0)分别为0.78和0.75。滤饼层阻力受到絮体尺寸的影响较大,絮体尺寸越大,形成的滤饼层透水性更好。通过污染模型分析,混凝出水的纳滤膜污染机理主要是滤饼层阻力。     

改性PES膜在MBR中膜阻力分析及膜污染机理研究

以聚醚砜(PES)、醋酸纤维素(CA)和纳米二氧化钛(TiO2)为膜材料,采用L-S相转化法制备共混改性PES膜。在24℃、0.2 MPa的操作条件下,制得的PES膜纯水通量为300 L/(m2.h)左右,CA改性PES膜为660 L/(m2.h)左右,TiO2改性PES膜为840 L/(m2.h)左右。通过膜生物反应器中膜阻力的测定,表明膜污染主要由浓差极化层及凝胶层引起的;通过活性污泥对膜污染机理的研究,判断出污泥的过滤过程基本符合沉积过滤定律。在MBR中运行时,改性PES膜稳定通量高于未改性膜,总阻力低于未改性膜;TiO2改性膜稳定通量高于CA改性膜,总阻力低于CA改性膜;通过扫描电镜分析,改性PES膜沉积层的厚度均比未改性膜薄,TiO2改性膜沉积层厚度小于CA改性膜,表明改性膜的抗污染性能提高了,TiO改性膜抗污染性能更优。     

纳米材料对膜生物反应器影响的试验研究

通过向一体式膜生物反应器中投加纳米材料来改变料液性质，预防膜污染和提高膜生物反应器对污染物的去除效率，并利用扫描电镜分析中空纤维膜的表观结构的变化情况，通过红外光谱分析活性污泥性质的变化，以探讨防治膜污染的机理。试验结果表明，纳米材料的投加对COD和NH₃-N的去除无明显影响，提高了TP的去除率，TP去除率达70%。而且投加纳米材料可改变活性污泥的性质和生物膜的表观结构，减缓膜污染。     

Prediction of membrane fouling using artificial neural networks for wastewater treated by membrane bioreactor technologies: bottlenecks and possibilities

Membrane fouling is a major concern for the optimization of membrane bioreactor (MBR) technologies. Numerous studies have been led in the field of membrane fouling control in order to assess with precision the fouling mechanisms which affect membrane resistance to filtration, such as the wastewater characteristics, the mixed liquor constituents, or the operational conditions, for example. Worldwide applications of MBRs in wastewater treatment plants treating all kinds of influents require new methods to predict membrane fouling and thus optimize operating MBRs. That is why new models capable of simulating membrane fouling phenomenon were progressively developed, using mainly a mathematical or numerical approach. Faced with the limits of such models, artificial neural networks (ANNs) were progressively considered to predict membrane fouling in MBRs and showed great potential. This review summarizes fouling control methods used in MBRs and models built in order to predict membrane fouling. A critical study of the application of ANNs in the prediction of membrane fouling in MBRs was carried out with the aim of presenting the bottlenecks associated with this method and the possibilities for further investigation on the subject.