Influence of membrane fouling reducers (MFRs) on filterability of disperse mixed liquor of Jet Loop Bioreactors

The effects of membrane fouling reducers (MFRs) (the cationic polyelectrolyte (CPE) and FeCI3) on membrane fouling were studied in a lab-scale jet loop submerged membrane bioreactor (JL-SMBR) system. The optimum dosages of MFRs (CPE dosage = 20 mg g−1MLSS, FeCI3 dosage = 14 mg g−1MLSS) were continuously fed to JL-SMBR system. The soluble and bound EPS concentrations as well as MLSS concentration in the mixed liquor of JL-SMBR were not changed substantially by the addition of MFRs. However, significant differences were observed in particle size and relative hydrophobicity. Filtration tests were performed by using different membrane types (polycarbonate (PC) and nitrocellulose mixed ester (ME)) and various pore sizes (0.45–0.22–0.1 μm). The steady state fluxes (Jss) of membranes increased at all membranes after MFRs addition to JL-SMBR. The filtration results showed that MFRs addition was an effective approach in terms of improvement in filtration performance for both membrane types.

► The effects of membrane fouling reducers (MFRs) in a jet loop submerged membrane bioreactor (JL-SMBR) were investigated.
► Mixed ester and polycarbonate (ME, PC) membranes were used in the filtration experiments.
► After MFRs addition, the steady state flux values of membranes increased at all membranes.
► The addition of MFRs to the jet loop bioreactor was an effective approach in terms of improvement in filtration performance.