Evaluation of a sponge assisted-granular anaerobic membrane bioreactor (SG-AnMBR) for municipal wastewater treatment. (October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, C.; Guo, W.S.; Ngo, H.H.; Liu, Y.; Du, B.; Wei, Q.; Wei, D.; Nguyen, D.D.; Chang, S.W.
• Is Part Of: Renewable energy. Volume 111(2017)
• Page Start: 620
• Page End: 627
• Publication Date: 2017-10
• Subjects: Anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) -- Sponge -- Granular sludge -- Membrane fouling -- Biogas production; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2017.04.055
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-1481

Abstract

Abstract: This study compared a conventional granular anaerobic membrane bioreactor (CG-AnMBR) with a sponge assisted-granular anaerobic membrane bioreactor (SG-AnMBR) in terms of treatment performance, granular sludge properties, membrane fouling behaviour and biogas production. The SG-AnMBR showed better organics and nutrient removal, and enhanced methane yield at 156.3 ± 5.8 mL CH4 (STP) /g CODremoved . Granular sludge from the SG-AnMBR had superior quality with better settleability, larger particle size, higher EPS content and more granule abundance. The SG-AnMBR also exhibited slower fouling development with 50.7% lower total filtration resistance than those of the CG-AnMBR. Sponge addition effectively affected the concentration and properties of microbial products (e.g. soluble microbial products (SMP) and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS)) in granular sludge, cake layer as well as settling zone mixed liquor, thus alleviating the fouling propensity. The liquid chromatography-organic carbon detection (LC-OCD) analysis suggested that sponge addition reduced the concentrations of biopolymers, low molecular weight neutrals and acids, and building blocks of the foulants. Compared with the SG-AnMBR, GC-MS analysis confirmed the accumulation of volatile fatty acids, particularly acetic acid in the CG-AnMBR. It is evident that the SG-AnMBR could be a promising solution for improving overall G-AnMBR performance and substantially mitigating membrane fouling. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Sponge based G-AnMBR is comprehensively studied and evaluated. Sponge addition improves granule properties and enhances system performance. The SG-AnMBR exhibits less fouling propensity compared to the CG-AnMBR. The SG-AnMBR shows no VFA accumulation and yields more biogas. The SG-AnMBR presents less organic fractions within the membrane foulants.