Performance of submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor at different SRTs for domestic wastewater treatment

Three submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactors (SAnMBR) with solids retention times (SRTs) of 30, 60 and 90 d were set up for domestic wastewater treatment. Total COD removal rates higher than 83% were achieved. Maximum biogas production was 0.5 L CH4 d−1 (0.010 L CH4 (g MLVSS)−1 d−1; MLVSS: mixed liquor volatile suspended solids) at a SRT of 90 d. A longer SRT benefited biomass accumulation and biogas production due to enhanced dominancy of methanogens. With the SRT increasing from 30 to 90 d, enhancement of hydrolysis from 35 to 56% was identified as the major reason for the better efficient acidification and methanogenesis observed. Best treatment performance and membrane fouling control were observed for the SAnMBR operated at a SRT of 60 d. Soluble microbial products or specific soluble microbial products that accumulated with SRT decrease from 60 to 30 d led to a faster membrane fouling. With an increase of SRT from 60 to 90 d, higher mixed liquor suspended solids concentration caused more particle deposition on the membrane surface, while more soluble microbial products or specific soluble microbial products was attributed to more metabolism products generation.

► We studied performance of submerged anaerobic MBR for domestic wastewater treatment.
► SRT impact on COD removal, biomass concentration, biogas production and membrane fouling studied.
► Longer SRT benefited biomass accumulation and biogas production.
► Best treatment performance and membrane fouling control observed at a SRT of 60 d.
► SMP accumulated with SRT decrease from 60 to 30 d led to faster membrane fouling.