Extractive biofilm membrane bioreactor with energy recovery from excess aeration and new membrane fouling control

Jirachote Phattaranawik*, Tor Ove Leiknes

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Hybrid biofilm membrane bioreactor (BF-MBR) system featuring new mechanisms for recovering the excess energy from air bubbling flow in the biofilm reactor and for controlling membrane biofouling was preliminarily investigated in this study. Alternative design of the biofilm reactor was developed to utilize the bubbling flow from the lower aerobic chamber to generate a mechanical mixing in the upper anoxic chamber in the vertical biofilm reactor. Suspended solid (SS) concentration in the system was hydrodynamically controlled to be lower than 70 mg/L. The ultraviolet (UV) inactivation unit was integrated with the membrane filtration tank to limit biological activities for biofoulant productions and to decelerate the unwanted biofilm formation in the permeate tube. Membrane relaxations at various operating conditions were studied for optimum membrane fouling reductions under low SS environment. Combinations of membrane relaxation and the UV inactivation significantly prolonged sustainable operation periods of the membrane filtration in the BF-MBR process.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2301-2307
Number of pages7
JournalBioresource technology
Volume102
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Energy recovery
  • Membrane bioreactor
  • Membrane fouling reduction
  • Membrane relaxation
  • Moving-bed biofilm

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Bioengineering
  • Waste Management and Disposal
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

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