Modeling of the submerged membrane bioreactor fouling by the combined pore constriction, pore blockage and cake formation mechanisms

Although major factors affecting the membrane bioreactor fouling process have been identified, no linear relationships between these factors and fouling were established. This indicates the existence of synergistic interplays among these factors in determining the overall fouling behavior. The synergistic effect on fouling hasn't been fully considered in the fouling mathematical model development. Activated sludge within membrane bioreactor is a complex mixture of soluble, colloidal and solid materials. In this paper, a theoretical model was developed to account for the synergistic effects of soluble, colloidal and suspended activated sludge components on the fouling process. It included the major advances in the fouling mechanisms based on the pore constriction, pore blockage and cake filtration. The model prediction was shown to be in excellent agreement with experimental results from literature. This suggests that modeling approach in this paper is valid in predicting the flux decline process.

Research highlights
► Fouling model developed based on the pore constriction, blockage and cake mechanisms.
► Activated sludge was fractioned for the fouling model.
► The interactions between different fouling mechanisms were investigated.