Membrane bioreactor pilot machine test for a newly developed membrane fabricated from chlorinated poly (vinyl chloride) and non-woven poly (ethyleneterephthalate) and its anti-fouling properties

We have succeeded in fabricating a flat sheet-type microfiltration membrane for anti-fouling bioreactors. The membrane is made from chlorinated poly (vinyl chloride) and non-woven poly(ethyleneterephthalate), and hydrophilized with hydroxyl-propyl cellulose. The membrane has a novel structure in which small hydrophilic gels are homogeneously attached. This membrane was tested for one year in a bioreactor to treat sewage and estimate the proceeding state of membrane fouling. The membrane shows good anti-fouling properties compared with a similar commercially available membrane fabricated from same materials with a different hydrophilization process. The filtration resistance of the foulants deposited on the membrane was analyzed. The foulants were decomposed into their organic, inorganic, and irreversible forms. Due to membrane fouling, the resistance of the developed membrane is relatively less than that of the purchased one.