Factors Affecting Biofouling in Membrane Coupled Sequencing Batch Reactor

Factors affecting filtration performance were investigated in a Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) coupled with a submerged microfiltration module. Special bioreactors for aerobic and anoxic phases, respectively, were specifically designed in order to differentiate tile effect of Dissolved oxygen (DO) from that of mixing intensity on membrane filterability. DO concentration as well as mixing intensity proved to have a major influence on the membrane performance regardless of the SBR phase. A higher DO concentration resulted in a slower rise in TMP, corresponding to less membrane fouling.