Optimization of membrane bioreactors by the addition of powdered activated carbon

- MBR (BAC) has better fouling control than the MBR (AS) with constant replacement of PAC.
- The aged BAC would deteriorate the membrane filtration performance.
- Without PAC, MBR with longer SRT has better fouling control at modest fluxes.
- With PAC addition, the shorter SRT gave better fouling control.
- Relatively fine PAC operated at short SRTs has better fouling control for MBR (BAC).