Long-term operation of a pilot scale anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) for the treatment of municipal wastewater under psychrophilic conditions. (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gouveia, J.; Plaza, F.; Garralon, G.; Fdz-Polanco, F.; Peña, M.
• Is Part Of: Bioresource technology. Volume 185(2015)
• Page Start: 225
• Page End: 233
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: Anaerobic membrane bioreactor -- Biomass retention -- Psychrophilic temperature -- Municipal wastewater -- Specific methane yield; Biomass -- Periodicals; Biomass energy -- Periodicals; Bioremediation -- Periodicals; Agricultural wastes -- Periodicals; Factory and trade waste -- Periodicals; Organic wastes -- Periodicals; Bioénergie -- Périodiques; Déchets agricoles -- Périodiques; Déchets industriels -- Périodiques; Déchets organiques -- Périodiques; Déchets (Combustible) -- Périodiques; 662.88
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2015.03.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8524

Abstract

Highlights: Viability of AnMBR at psychrophilic conditions for treating municipal wastewater. Effluent with high quality (100–120 mg O2 /L) at HRT of 7 h. The membrane permits the biodegradation of slowly biodegradable matter. SMY depends on the recirculation between the membrane module and the UASB reactor. Long-term reliability and operability of the AnMBR technology. Abstract: The performance of a pilot scale anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR), comprising an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor coupled to an external ultrafiltration membrane treating municipal wastewater at 18 ± 2 °C, was evaluated over three years of stable operation. The reactor was inoculated with a mesophilic inoculum without acclimation. The AnMBR supported a tCOD removal efficiency of 87 ± 1% at hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 7 h, operating at a volumetric loading rate (VLR) of between 2 and 2.5 kg tCOD/m 3 d, reaching effluent tCOD concentrations of 100–120 mg/L and BOD5 concentrations of 35–50 mg O2 /L. Specific methane yield varied from 0.18 to 0.23 Nm 3 CH4 /kg CODremoved depending on the recirculation between the membrane module and the UASB reactor. The permeate flow rate, using cycles of 15 s backwash, 7.5 min filtration, and continuous biogas sparging (40–60 m/h), ranged from 10 to 14 Lm 2 /h with trans-membrane pressure (TMP) values of 400–550 mbar.