Characterisation of initial fouling in aerobic submerged membrane bioreactors in relation to physico-chemical characteristics under different flux conditions

Water Research
Tze Chiang Albert Ng, How Yong Ng

Abstract

The initial fouling characteristics of aerobic submerged membrane bioreactors (MBRs) were analysed under different flux conditions. Physico-chemical analyses of the mixed liquor hinted that carbohydrates were more important to membrane fouling than proteins. However, this contrasted with the characterisation of foulants on the membrane surfaces. Micro-structural analyses of the foulants on the membrane surfaces showed that the dominant foulants were different under different flux conditions. Membrane fouling occurred through a biofilm-dominated process under lower flux conditions, but the mechanism shifted towards a non-biofilm, organic fouling process as the flux was increased. In spite of the differences in fouling mechanisms, it was found that the protein fraction on the membrane surfaces, in the initial stages of MBR operations, had the greatest impact in the rise of transmembrane pressure.

Citations

Dec 21, 2013·Bioresource Technology·Xueqing ShiHow Yong Ng
Sep 5, 2015·Bioresource Technology·Chun-Hong ChenDa-Wen Gao
Feb 1, 2014·Bioresource Technology·Fangyuan WangHaiying Yu
Jul 19, 2013·Water Research·Lilian MalaebPascal E Saikaly
Mar 15, 2015·Journal of Environmental Sciences (China)·Xinbo TianWun Jern Ng
Dec 18, 2014·Environmental Science & Technology·Zhongbo ZhouXiaoshan Jia
Sep 30, 2020·Environmental Science and Pollution Research International·Zhiyi SunZiyang Lou

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