Primary and A-sludge treatment by anaerobic membrane bioreactors in view of energy-positive wastewater treatment plants. (May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mustafa Abdelrahman, Amr; Furkan Aras, Muhammed; Cicekalan, Busra; Fakioglu, Malhun; Cingoz, Seyma; Basa, Safak; Guven, Huseyin; Ozgun, Hale; Ozturk, Izzet; Koyuncu, Ismail; van Lier, Jules B.; Volcke, Eveline I.P.; Evren Ersahin, Mustafa
• Is Part Of: Bioresource technology. Volume 351(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-05
• Subjects: A-stage -- Anaerobic membrane bioreactor -- Sludge digestion -- Energy recovery -- Nutrient recovery; 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.2022.126965
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8524

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: AnMBR technology was used for digestion of primary sludge and A-sludge. High permeate quality was obtained, which was free of solids and coliforms. Digestion of A-sludge yielded more methane compared to primary sludge. The membrane was operated at a higher TMP and it was clogged earlier with A-sludge. Abstract: Energy-rich sludge can be obtained from primary clarifiers preceding biological reactors. Alternatively, the incoming wastewater can be sent to a very-high-loaded activated sludge system, i.e., a so-called A-stage. However, the effects of applying an A-stage instead of a primary clarifier, on the subsequent sludge digestion for long-term operation is still unknown. In this study, biogas production and permeate quality, and filterability characteristics were investigated in a lab-scale anaerobic membrane bioreactor for primary sludge and A-stage sludge (A-sludge) treatment. A higher specific methane yield was obtained from digestion of A-sludge compared to primary sludge. Similarly, specific methanogenic activity was higher when the anaerobic membrane bioreactor was fed with A-sludge compared to primary sludge. Plant-wide mass balance analysis indicated that about 35% of the organic matter in wastewater was recovered as methane by including an A-stage, compared to about 20% with a primary clarifier.