Modelling the effect of biomass induced oxygen transfer limitations on the nitrogen removal performance of membrane bioreactor

▶ Simultaneous Nitrification and Denitrification (SNdN) may be sustained as an effective nitrogen removal process in MBRs. ▶ Mass transfer limitations create aerobic and anoxic conditions within the biomass flocs. ▶ Half saturation parameters reflect mass transfer limitations on nitrogen removal process kinetics. ▶ A functional relationship is defined between half saturation parameters and Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids (MLSS) in MBRs. ▶ Model simulation defines an optimal MLSS range as a function of dissolved oxygen for effective SNdN.