Influence of solids retention time on membrane fouling: characterization of extracellular polymeric substances and soluble microbial products

Biofouling
Liang DuanShan Li

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of solids retention time (SRT) on membrane fouling and the characteristics of biomacromolecules. Four identical laboratory-scale membrane bioreactors (MBRs) were operated with SRTs for 10, 20, 40 and 80 days. The results indicated that membrane fouling occurred faster and more readily under short SRTs. Fouling resistance was the primary source of filtration resistance. The modified fouling index (MFI) results suggested that the more ready fouling at short SRTs could be attributed to higher concentrations of soluble microbial products (SMP). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra indicated that the SRT had a weak influence on the functional groups of the total extracellular polymeric substances (TEPS) and SMP. However, the MBR under a short SRT had more low-molecular-weight (MW) compounds (<1 kDa) and fewer high-MW compounds (>100 kDa). Aromatic protein and tryptophan protein-like substances were the dominant groups in the TEPS and SMP, respectively.

References

Jan 25, 2003·Environmental Science & Technology·Jerry A Leenheer, Jean-Philippe Croué
Jul 2, 2003·Bioresource Technology·Nidal MahmoudGatze Lettinga
Jun 16, 2004·Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology·Yong-Qiang LiuJoo-Hwa Tay
Mar 31, 2006·Environmental Science & Technology·Manish KumarWilliam R Pearce

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Citations

Jan 20, 2018·Environmental Technology·Giorgio ManninaGaspare Viviani
Dec 15, 2020·Journal of Environmental Health Science & Engineering·Kevser Cirik, Serdar Gocer

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
fluorescence spectrometry
membrane filtration
chemical cleaning

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Bioreactors (ASM)

Bioreactors are important devices or systems that utilize living cells or enzymes for a chemical process. These devices carefully control and monitor the environment factors such as pH, nutrients level, and temperature, which can affect the yield in a given process. Discover the latest research here.