Use of chemical coagulants to control fouling potential for wastewater membrane bioreactor processes.

Chemical coagulation with ferric chloride, alum, and an organic polymer were used to control the fouling potential of mixed liquors for submerged membrane bioreactor (MBR) processes in treating municipal wastewater. Their filterability was evaluated using a submerged hollow fiber ultrafiltration apparatus operated in constant permeate flux mode. The collected transmembrane pressures over filtration time were used to calculate the membrane fouling rates. The results showed that coagulation pretreatment can reduce fouling rates when MBRs were operated above the critical flux. Even though coagulation with the organic polymer formed larger mixed liquor suspended solids particles and had shorter time-to-filtration than those with ferric chloride and alum, the filterability for membrane filtration were similar, indicating that the membrane fouling in MBR systems was mainly controlled by the concentration of smaller colloidal particles.     

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.     

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...     

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.     

Differential pressure in membrane channel caused by foulant capture onto spacers.

Feed spacers in spiral-wound reverse osmosis membrane modules are highly susceptible to deposition or attachment of suspended particulates and organic matters in the feed stream. This type of fouling can cause a significant pressure drop along the membrane channel (differential pressure) without much effect on the average permeate flux. In practical applications, membrane cleaning is often triggered when the differential pressure in a membrane channel exceeds a threshold value. A mathematical model was developed to simulate the development of differential pressure in the feed channel resulting from foulant capture by the feed spacers. Simulations were carried out to investigate and demonstrate the effect of various parameters on differential pressures in the membrane channel. Differential pressures observed in a two-stage reverse osmosis water reclamation plant were simulated with the model, and the results showed that the model could adequately describe the increase of differential pressure with operating time in the reverse osmosis plant.     

次临界操作下的膜污染机理研究

临界通量在膜污染控制的水动力学条件优化中是一个非常有意义的概念。本研究用一种新型的中空纤维膜组件过滤活性污泥混合液 ,采用通量阶式递增法对临界通量进行测定 ,实验表明 ,气水二相流是一个提高临界通量非常有效的方法 ,而且临界通量随着曝气强度的增大而增大 ,根据测定结果 ,可以得出膜生物反应器 (MBR)的 3个水动力学操作区 :超临界区、临界区和次临界区。次临界操作可以防止颗粒物质在膜面上沉积引起的可逆污染 ,在次临界操作下 ,膜污染分为两个阶段 ,第一阶段为不可逆污染发展阶段 ,跨膜压力 (TMP)发展缓慢 ;第一阶段膜的不可逆污染导致膜丝点通量不断的重分配 ,一旦出现膜丝上某一点的通量大于临界通量时 ,颗粒物质就以此点为突破口 ,不断沉积到膜丝表面 ,发生可逆污染 ,膜污染进入第二阶段 ,TMP急剧增加。     

一体式MFC-好氧MBR运行效果及膜污染特性

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）能利用N0i作为电子受体进行脱氮。为解决膜生物反应器（MBR）脱氮效率低和膜污染问题,建立了一套能够进行脱氮、有效抑制膜污染的一体式MFC-好氧MBR新工艺。以开路MFC—MBR反应器为对照,对耦合系统中污水处理效果、膜污染情况进行研究。研究表明,2套系统的COD去除率均超过88％,对NH4-N的去除均达到99％。闭路MFC—MBR系统TN去除率达到69．4％,高于开路系统的55．3％。混合液的MLVSS／MLSS稳定在88％左右,同时耦合系统能够改善污泥混合液的性质,zeta电位的绝对值和粘度较开路系统有所减少,污泥颗粒平均体积粒径（233．482μm）较开路系统（94．877μm）有明显增加,膜清洗周期延长了41．17％。     

草甘膦母液膜分离的电渗析预处理

研究了用电渗析法去除草甘膦母液中影响膜通量的亚磷酸根,主要考察了pH值、工作电压、反应时间和温度等因素对亚磷酸根去除率的影响,并对电渗析预处理后母液纳滤膜分离的膜通量进行实验验证。实验表明：淡化液、浓缩液流量为30 L/h,pH值约为8.1,工作电压为20 V,反应时间为2 h左右,温度〈30℃时,电渗析对母液中亚磷酸...     

一体式MFC-好氧MBR运行效果及膜污染特性

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)能利用NO-3作为电子受体进行脱氮。为解决膜生物反应器(MBR)脱氮效率低和膜污染问题,建立了一套能够进行脱氮、有效抑制膜污染的一体式MFC-好氧MBR新工艺。以开路MFC-MBR反应器为对照,对耦合系统中污水处理效果、膜污染情况进行研究。研究表明,2套系统的COD去除率均超过88%,对NH4-N的去除均达到99%。闭路MFC-MBR系统TN去除率达到69.4%,高于开路系统的55.3%。混合液的MLVSS/MLSS稳定在88%左右,同时耦合系统能够改善污泥混合液的性质,zeta电位的绝对值和粘度较开路系统有所减少,污泥颗粒平均体积粒径(233.482μm)较开路系统(94.877μm)有明显增加,膜清洗周期延长了41.17%。     

Comparative performance of flat sheet and spiral wound modules in the nanofiltration of reactive dye solution

Background and purpose

Besides the opportunities for reuse, stringent regulations and growing public awareness demand an enhanced quality of effluent from dye industries. Treatment of an aqueous solution of dye (reactive red 198) was carried out in a nanofiltration unit using both flat sheet and spiral wound modules to obtain a comparative performance evaluation in terms of permeate flux and quality.

Methods

Hydrophilized polyamide membrane with molecular weight cutoff of 150 was used for the experiments. Effects of trans-membrane pressure (TMP), feed concentration and addition of salt on permeate flux were investigated. Percent reduction of color, chemical oxygen demand (COD), total dissolved solid (TDS), and conductivity were determined to assess performance of the membrane.

Results

The maximum flux decline was 16.1% of its initial value at 490 kPa TMP with 50 ppm feed concentration in spiral wound module, whereas the same in flat sheet under same conditions was 7.2%. The effect of TMP showed a quasi-linear increase in flux with increasing pressure. Increased permeate concentration led to the reduction in observed retention of dye in the membrane. The average reduction in color, COD, and TDS were 96.88%, 97.38%, and 89.24%, respectively. The decline in permeate flux was more in case of spiral wound module compared to flat sheet. However, spiral wound module performed better in terms of color removal, COD reduction, and TDS removal.

Conclusion

Substantial removal of color was achieved in the nanofiltration experiments with a marked reduction in COD and TDS. The process allowed the production of permeate stream with great reutilization possibilities.     

Microbial fouling of a reverse osmosis municipal water treatment system

Microbial fouling of a municipal water treatment system using reverse osmosis was investigated. From a combination of growth and molecular assays, it was discovered that the prefilter unit concentrated and facilitated microbial growth, and such growth led to microbial fouling of the reverse osmosis unit. Few cells were observed in the prefilter influent, but substantial microbial contamination was observed in the prefilter effluent, and this correlated with increasing headloss across the prefilter. The effluent caused microbial fouling of the leading elements of the reverse osmosis unit, as determined by reduced permeate flow, analysis of the elements, and assays of the membrane foulant. Both the introduction of microorganisms to the reverse osmosis unit from the prefilter unit and headloss across the prefilter could be effectively controlled through cleansing of the prefilter housing unit with sulfuric acid. Such treatments must be performed at appropriate intervals to prevent subsequent microbial growth in the prefilter unit.     

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.     

Response of anaerobic membrane bioreactor to the presence of nano-Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>WO<Subscript>6</Subscript>: reactor performance,supernatant characteristics,and microbial community

Considering the increasing incorporation of manufactured nano-material into consumer products, there is a concern about its potential impacts in biological wastewater treatment. In this study, the response of anaerobic sludge to the presence of Bi₂WO₆ nano-particles (NPs) was investigated in the anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR). As the concentration of Bi₂WO₆ in the reactor was controlled around 1 mg/L, there was no significant difference in effluent water quality or bacterial activities before and after NP exposure, partially due to the microbial-induced NP aggregation and stable complex formation. However, with the increasing dosage of Bi₂WO₆ from 5 to 40 mg/L, great influences on the AnMBR performance were observed, including the reduction of COD removal efficiency, inhibition of the mechanization step, increased production of soluble microbial products, and enhanced secretion of extracellular polymer substrates. Additional investigation with high-throughput sequencing was conducted, clearly demonstrating that Bi₂WO₆ NPs induced changes in the bacterial community.     

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.     

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.     

A/O-MBR中MLSS浓度对污泥性能及膜通量的影响

采用国产聚丙烯中空纤维帘式膜组件,进行了A/O-MBR系统处理生活污水的实验研究,主要探讨了系统中污泥浓度(MLSS)与膜通量变化过程的关系。实验结果表明,MLSS由3 805 mg/L升高到6 912 mg/L时,污泥混合液胞外聚合物(EPS)由43 mg/g VSS增加到81 mg/g VSS,EPS中多糖与蛋白质的比例从0.87增加到1.08。同时,污泥相对疏水性(RH)的降低与Zeta电位的升高也在一定程度上共同促进了膜污染速率的上升。实验条件下,当运行时间为60 d左右,MLSS升高至6 200 mg/L时,跨膜压差上升迅速,膜组件清洗周期由初始的22 d缩短为11 d。A/O-MBR中由于MLSS浓度变化而导致的活性污泥混合液特性的变化,是影响膜通量变化的重要原因。     

气-水联合反冲洗膜污染防治技术研究

采用气水联合反冲洗技术,考察了气水比(Qg/Ql)、反冲洗周期及其对膜污染的防治效果。结果表明,气水联合反冲洗较单独气或水反冲洗效果好;在过滤周期20min,反冲洗时间1min,气水比1.5时,气水联合反冲洗能够恢复膜通量到膜清水通量的80%以上。此法可大幅度清除沉积在膜表面的泥饼层,恢复膜通量,维持膜过滤性能的稳定,是一种较为有效的膜污染防治技术。     

膜生物反应器中新型无纺布膜过滤特性及膜污染特征

通过无纺布和聚偏氟乙烯平板膜组件在相同操作条件下的对比实验,研究无纺布膜的过滤特性。结果表明,2种膜的膜生物反应器COD、氨氮平均去除率均＞90%。过膜压力变化表明在长期运行条件下,无纺布可适于作为膜生物反应器的过滤介质,其过滤机理为膜表面滤饼层形成动态膜,从而增强了膜截留能力。膜污染研究表明,无纺布膜阻力主要来自滤饼层（占总阻力的83.6%）,经清洗后膜通量可恢复至94%。扫描电镜显示膜表面滤饼层较厚,结合膜阻力分析结果认为,该滤饼层对膜污染和可逆性影响较大。对膜表面和膜孔中胞外聚合物（EPS）的红外分析证实,其中含有蛋白质和多糖物质,而且组分分析表明蛋白质是膜污染物EPS中的主要组分,在膜孔中的含量比滤饼层中还高。     

膜-生物反应器混合液性质对膜污染影响的研究进展

膜-生物反应器作为一种新型的污水处理和回用技术,近年来在基础研究和实际应用领域都得到广泛关注,但是影响其长期稳定运行的膜污染问题却一直没有得到深入研究和解决.混合液特性是影响膜污染控制的重要因素,从混合液理化性质(组成、功能、结构和环境因素)和生物学性质(微生物群落结构、微生物功能特征)2个方面进行介绍,综述了目前关于混合液性质与膜污染关系的研究现状.目前的研究虽然取得一定进展,但在相关性分析、群落特征与膜污染关系、污染层形成机理等方面仍存在许多不足.     

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。