Fluidized bed magnetic ion exchange (MIEX®) as pre-treatment process for a submerged membrane reactor in wastewater treatment and reuse

Magnetic ion exchange (MIEX®) resin can effectively remove significant amounts of organic matter from biologically treated sewage effluent. The MIEX® process has mainly been used as a batch process, which requires a large area for accommodating both contact tank and settling tank in the treatment process. In this study, a fluidized bed MIEX® reactor (a semi-continuous process) was used as a pre-treatment for a submerged membrane. When used as a pre-treatment for a submerged membrane, the fluidized bed MIEX® contactor could remove a significant amount of organic matter in the wastewater (80% removal). This pre-treatment helped to reduce membrane fouling and keep transmembrane pressure low during the membrane operation of 8 h (less than 19 kPa). The regeneration of MIEX® resin (number of regeneration, regeneration time, etc.) did not have any adverse effect on the organic removal by MIEX®.