Insights into the fouling layer of flat-sheet membrane and its development in an integrated oxidation ditch-membrane bioreactor. (February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liao, Guohao; Bin, Liying; Tang, Bing; Li, Ping; Qiu, Bangqiao; Huang, Zhaole; Huang, Shaosong; Fu, Fenglian
• Is Part Of: Bioresource technology. Volume 345(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-02
• Subjects: Membrane bioreactor -- Oxidation ditch -- Flat-sheet membrane -- Membrane fouling -- Sludge/Biofilm fouling -- Microbial communities; 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.2021.126466
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8524

Abstract

Highlights: The detailed characteristics of fouling layers of an OD-MBR were revealed. There were two different fouling layers formed on membrane sheets. Protein-like and fulvic acid-like substances caused irreversible membrane fouling. Abstract: This work revealed the characteristics of fouling layer on the flat-sheet membranes and its development in an integrated oxidation-ditch membrane bioreactor. During the operation period (130 days), the reactor performed very well in removing pollutants. As the operation proceeded, membrane fouling occurred on the flat-sheet membranes and trans -membrane pressure showed a cyclical variation. The experimental results showed that the process of membrane fouling appeared successively in two different structures: biofilm (BF) and sludge fouling (SF). The substances causing membrane fouling were mainly organic foulants and a small amount of inorganic metal compounds, especially the protein-like and fulvic acid-like substances in loosely bound extracellular polymeric substances (LB-EPS). The analysis of microbial communities revealed that SF and BF had very different microbial properties. Although most membrane foulants could be removed by physical and chemical cleaning methods, the protein-like and fulvic acid-like substances in BF were contribute much to causing irreversible membrane fouling.