Effect of organic loading rate on organic matter and foulant characteristics in membrane bio-reactor

M. A. H. Johir, S. Vigneswaran, A. Sathasivan, J. Kandasamy, C. Y. Chang

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    64 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    In this study, the influence of organic loading rate (OLR) on the performance of a membrane bio-reactor (MBR) was investigated. The MBR was operated with 6 different OLRs between 0.5 and 3.0 kg COD/m(3)d. The hydrodynamic parameters of the MBR were kept constant. The hydraulic retention time and sludge retention time were kept at 8h and 40 d respectively. From the experimental investigation, it was found that the removal efficiency of DOC, COD and NH(4)-N decreased when OLRs were increased from 0.5 to 3.0 kg COD/m(3)d. Higher OLRs of 2.75-3.0 kg COD/m(3)d resulted in a higher transmembrane pressure development. The fractionation of organic matters showed more hydrophilic substances with higher OLRs. A detailed organic matter characterization of membrane foulant, soluble microbial product and extracellular polymeric substances showed that bio-polymers type substances together with humic acid and lower molecular neutral and acids were responsible for membrane fouling.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)154-160
    Number of pages7
    JournalBioresource Technology
    Volume113
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2012

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Effect of organic loading rate on organic matter and foulant characteristics in membrane bio-reactor'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this