Browse > Article
http://dx.doi.org/10.12989/mwt.2017.8.4.337

Effect of solids retention time on membrane fouling in membrane bioreactors at a constant mixed liquor suspended solids concentration  

Hao, L. (Department of Chemical Engineering, Lakehead University)
Liss, S.N. (School of Environmental Studies and Department of Chemical Engineering, Queen's University)
Liao, B.Q. (Department of Chemical Engineering, Lakehead University)
Publication Information
Membrane and Water Treatment / v.8, no.4, 2017 , pp. 337-353 More about this Journal
Abstract
Membrane fouling at different solids retention times (SRT) (7, 12 and 20 days) was studied under well-controlled conditions in a laboratory-scale aerobic submerged membrane bioreactor under constant biomass concentration using a synthetic high strength wastewater. An increase in SRT was found to improve membrane performance and this correlated to changes in the total production of bound extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), and the composition and properties of bound EPS using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and floc sizes. A larger amount of total bound EPS was found at the lowest SRT (7 days) tested but the ratio of proteins (PN) to carbohydrates (CH) in bound EPS increased with an increase in SRT. Similarly, the quantity of soluble microbial products (SMP) decreased with an increase in SRT and the SMP PN/CH ratio increased with an increase in SRT. SMP concentrations positively correlated to the percentage of membrane pore blocking resistance. The quantity of total bound EPS and total SMP positively corresponded to the membrane fouling rate, while the PN/CH ratio in the bound EPS and SMP negatively correlated to the membrane fouling rate. The results show that both the quantity and composition of bound EPS and SMP and floc sizes are important in controlling membrane fouling.
Keywords
membrane fouling; surface properties; solids retention time; extracellular polymeric substances; soluble microbial products;
Citations & Related Records
Times Cited By KSCI : 2  (Citation Analysis)
연도 인용수 순위
1 Ahmed, Z., Cho, J., Lim, B.R., Song, K.G. and Ahn, K.H. (2007), "Effects of sludge retention time on membrane fouling and microbial community structure in a membrane bioreactor", J. Membr. Sci., 287(2), 211-218.   DOI
2 Annop, S., Sridang, P., Puetpaiboon, U. and Grasmick, A. (2014), "Effect of solids retention time on membrane fouling intensity in two-stage submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactors treating palm oil mill effluent", Environ. Technol., 35(20), 2634-2642.   DOI
3 APHA (2005), Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 21st Edition, American Public Health Association (APHA)/American Water Works Association (AWWA)/Water Environment Federation (WEF), Washington, U.S.A.
4 Badireddy, A.R., Korpol, B.R., Chellam, S., Gassman, P.L., Engelhard, M.H., Lea, A.S. and Rosso, K.M. (2008), "Spectroscopic characterization of extracellular polymeric substances from escherichia coli and serratia marcescens: Suppression using sub-inhibitory concentrations of bismuth thiols", Biomacromol., 9(11), 3079-3089.   DOI
5 Cao, T.A., Van De Staey, G. and Smets, I.Y. (2015), "Integrating activated sludge floc size information in MBR fouling modeling", Water Sci. Technol., 71(7), 1073-1080.   DOI
6 Croue, J.P., Benedetti, M.F., Violleau, D. and Leenheer, J.A. (2003), "Characterization and copper binding of humic and nonhumic organic matter isolated from the south platte river: Evidence for the presence of nitrogenous binding site", Environ. Sci. Technol., 37(2), 328-336.   DOI
7 Dengis, P.B. and Rouxhet, P.G. (1996), "Preparation of yeast cells for surface analysis by XPS", J. Microbiol. Meth., 26(1-2), 171-183.   DOI
8 Li, J.F., Zhang, X.X., Cheng, F.Q. and Liu, Y. (2013), "New insights into membrane fouling in submerged MBR under sub-critical flux condition", Biores. Technol., 137, 404-408.   DOI
9 Li, X.Y. and Yang, S.F. (2007), "Influence of loosely bound extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) on the flocculation, sedimentation and dewaterability of activated sludge", Water Res., 41(5), 1022-1030.   DOI
10 Liang, S. and Song, L.F. (2007), "Characteristics and fouling behaviors of dissolved organic matter in submerged membrane bioreactor systems", Environ. Eng. Sci., 24(5), 652-662.   DOI
11 Liao, B.Q., Allen, D.G., Droppo, I.G., Leppard, G.G. and Liss, S.N. (2001), "Surface properties of sludge and their role in bioflocculation and settleability", Water Res., 35(2), 339-350.   DOI
12 Lim, A.L. and Bai, R. (2003), "Membrane fouling and cleaning in microfiltration of activated sludge wastewater", J. Membr. Sci., 216(1), 279-290.   DOI
13 Lin, H.J., Zhang, M.J., Wang, F.Y., Meng, F.G., Liao, B.Q., Hong, H.C., Chen, J.R. and Gao, W.J. (2014), "A critical review of extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) in membrane bioreactors: characteristics, roles in membrane fouling and control strategies", J. Membr. Sci., 460, 110-125.   DOI
14 Lowery, O.H., Rosebrough, N., Farr, A.L. and Randall, R.J. (1951), "Protein measurement with the folin phenol reagent", J. Biol. Chem., 193(1), 265-275.
15 Maharajh, N. (2010), "Effect of feed rate and solid retention time (SRT) on effluent quality and sludge characteristics in activated sludge systems using sequencing batch reactors", M.S. Dissertation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia, U.S.A.
16 Mariey, L., Signolle, L.P., Amiel, C. and Travert, J. (2001), "Discrimination, classification, identification of microorganisms using FTIR spectroscopy and chemometrics", Vibr. Spectr., 26(2), 151-159.   DOI
17 Flemming, H.C. and Wingender, J. (2001), "Relevance of microbial extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs)-part I: Structural and ecological aspects", Water Sci. Technol., 43(6), 1-8.
18 Drews, A., Vocks, M., Bracklow, U., Iversen, V. and Kraume, M. (2008), "Does fouling in MBRs depend on SMP?", Desalinat., 231(1-3), 141-149.   DOI
19 DuBois, M., Gilles, K.A., Hamilton, J.K., Rebers, P.A. and Smith, F. (1956), "Colorimetric method for determination of sugars and related substances", Anal. Chem., 28(3), 350-356.   DOI
20 Dufrene, Y.F., Van Der Wal, A., Norde, W. and Rouxhet, P.G. (1007), "X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis of whole cells and isolated cell walls of gram-positive bacteria: Comparison with biochemical analysis", J. Bacteriol., 179(4), 1023-1028.
21 Frolund, B., Palmgren, R., Keiding, K. and Nielsen, P.H. (1996), "Extraction of extracellular polymers from activated sludge using a cation exchange resin", Water Res., 30(8), 1749-1758.   DOI
22 Gasmi, A., Heran, M., Hannachi, A. and Grasmick, A. (2015), "Fouling analysis and biomass distribution on a membrane bioreactor under low ratio COD/N", Membr. Water Treat., 6(4), 263-276.   DOI
23 Hao, L., Liss, S.N. and Liao, B.Q. (2016), "Influence of COD:N ratio on sludge properties and their role in membrane fouling of a submerged membrane bioreactor", Water Res., 89, 132-141.   DOI
24 Grelier, P., Rosenberger, S. and Tazi-Pain, A. (2006), "Influence of sludge retention time on membrane bioreactor hydraulic performance", Desalinat., 192(1-3), 10-17.   DOI
25 Han, S.S., Bae, T.H., Jang, G.G. and Tak, T.M. (2005), "Influence of sludge retention time on membrane fouling and bioactivities in membrane bioreactor system", Proc. Biochem., 40(7), 2393-2400.   DOI
26 Hao, L. and Liao, B.Q. (2015), "Effect of organic matter to nitrogen ratio on membrane bioreactor performance", Environ. Technol., 36(20), 2674-2680.   DOI
27 Meng, F.G., Shi, B.Q., Yang, F.L. and Zhang, H.M. (2007), "Effect of hydraulic retention time on membrane fouling and biomass characteristics in submerged membrane bioreactors", Bioproc. Biosyst. Eng., 30(5), 359-367.   DOI
28 Meng, F.G., Chae, S.R., Drews, A., Kraume, M., Shin, H.S. and Yang, F.L. (2009), "Recent advances in membrane bioreactors (MBRs): Membrane fouling and membrane material", Water Res., 43(6), 1489-1512.   DOI
29 Meng, F.G., Zhang, H.M., Yang, F.L., Li, Y.S., Xiao, J.N. and Zhang, X.W. (2006), "Effect of filamentous bacteria on membrane fouling in submerged membrane bioreactor", J. Membr. Sci., 272(1), 161-168.   DOI
30 Nam, A.N., Kweon, J.H., Ryu, J.H., Lade, H. and Lee, C.H. (2015), "Reduction of biofouling using vanillin as a quorum sensing inhibitory agent in membrane bioreactors for wastewater treatment", Membr. Water Treat., 6(3), 183-203.
31 Nuengjamnong, H., Kweon, J.H., Cho, J., Polprasert, C. and Ahn, K.H. (2005), "Membrane fouling caused by extracellular polymeric substances during microfiltration processes", Desalinat., 179(1-3), 117-124.   DOI
32 Rosenberger, S., Evenblij, H., Poele, S.T., Wintgens, T. and Laabs, C. (2005), "The importance of liquid phase analyses to understand fouling in membrane assisted activated sludge processes-six case studies of different European research groups", J. Membr. Sci., 263(1), 113-126.   DOI
33 Omoike, A. and Chorover, J. (2004), "Spectroscopic study of extracellular polymeric substances from bacillus subtilis: Aqueous chemistry and adsorption effects", Biomacromol., 5(4), 1219-1230.   DOI
34 Paul, P. and Hartung, C. (2008), "Modelling of biological fouling propensity by inference in a side stream membrane bioreactor", Desalinat., 224(1-3), 154-159.   DOI
35 Rosenberger, S. and Kraume, M. (2002), "Filterability of activated sludge in membrane bioreactors", Desalinat., 146, 373-379.   DOI
36 Jun, Z., Yang, F.L., Meng, F.G., Peng, A. and Di, W. (2007), "Comparison of membrane fouling during short-term filtration of aerobic granular sludge and activated sludge", J. Environ. Sci.-Chin., 19(11), 1281-1286.   DOI
37 Hong, H.C., Zhang, M.J., He, Y.M., Chen, J.R. and Lin, H.J. (2014), "Fouling mechanisms of gel layer in a submerged membrane bioreactor", Bioresour. Technol., 166, 295-302.   DOI
38 Huang, Z., Ong, S.L. and Ng, H.Y. (2011), "Submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor for low-strength wastewater treatment: Effect of HRT and SRT on treatment performance and membrane fouling", Water Res., 45(2), 705-713.   DOI
39 Jenkins, D., Richard, M.G. and Daigger, G.T. (2003), Manual on the Causes and Control of Activated Sludge Bulking, Foaming, and Other Solids Separation Problems, 3rd Edition, Lewis Publishers, New York, U.S.A.
40 Kim, I.S. and Jang, N. (2006), "The effect of calcium on the membrane biofouling in the membrane bioreactor (MBR)", Water Res., 40(14), 2756-2764.   DOI
41 Le-Clech, P., Chen, V. and Fane, A.G. (2006), "Fouling in membrane bioreactors used in wastewater treatment", J. Membr. Sci., 284(1), 17-53.   DOI
42 Kimura, K., Yamato, N., Yamamura, H. and Watanabe, Y. (2005), "Membrane fouling in pilot-scale membrane Bioreactors (MBRs) treating municipal wastewater", Environ. Sci. Technol., 39(16), 6293-6299.   DOI
43 Kumar, M., Adham, S.S. and Pearce, W.R. (2006), "Investigation of seawater reverse osmosis fouling and its relationship to pretreatment type", Environ. Sci. Technol., 40(6), 2037-2044.   DOI
44 Laspidou, C.S. and Rittmann, B.E. (2002), "A unified theory for extracellular polymeric substances, soluble microbial products, and active and inert biomass", Water Res., 36(11), 2711-2720.   DOI
45 Lee, W., Kang, S. and Shin, H. (2003), "Sludge characteristics and their contribution to microfiltration in submerged membrane bioreactors", J. Membr. Sci., 216(1), 217-227.   DOI
46 Rosenberger, S., Laabs, C., Lesjean, B., Gnirss, R., Amy, G., Jekel, M. and Schrotter, J.C. (2006), "Impact of colloidal and soluble organic material on membrane performance in membrane bioreactors for municipal wastewater treatment", Water Res., 40(4), 710-720.   DOI
47 Trussell, R.S., Merlo, R.P., Hermanowicz, S.W. and Jenkins, D. (2006), "The effect of organic loading on process performance and membrane fouling in a submerged membrane bioreactor treating municipal wastewater", Water Res., 40(14), 2675-2683.   DOI
48 Van Den Broeck, R., Van Dierdonck, J., Nijskens, P., Dotremont, C., Krzeminski, P., Van Der Graaf, J.H.J.M., Van Lier, J.B., Van Impe, J.F.M. and Smets, I.Y. (2012), "The influence of solids retention time on activated sludge bioflocculation and membrane fouling in a membrane bioreactor(MBR)", J. Membr. Sci., 401, 48-55.
49 Wang, Z.W., Han, X.M., Ma, J.X., Wang, P., Mei, X.J. and Wu, Z.C. (2013), "Recent advances in membrane fouling caused by extracellular polymeric substances: A mini-review", Desalinat. Water Treat., 51(25-27), 5121-5131.   DOI
50 Wang, Z.W. and Wu, Z.C. (2009), "A review of membrane fouling in MBRs: Characteristics and role of sludge cake formed on membrane surfaces", Separ. Sci. Technol., 44(15), 3571-3596.   DOI
51 Wang, Z.W., Tang, S.J., Zhu, Y.F., Wu, Z.C., Zhou, Q. and Yang, D.H. (2010), "Fluorescent dissolved organic matter variations in a submerged membrane bioreactor under different sludge retention times", J. Membr. Sci., 355(1), 151-157.   DOI
52 Wu, B., Kitade, T., Chong, T.H., Lee, J.Y., Uemura, T. and Fane, A.G. (2013), "Flux-dependent fouling phenomena in membrane bioreactors under different food to microorganisms (F/M) ratios", Separ. Sci. Technol., 48(6), 840-848.   DOI