Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
629229 Desalination 2006 12 Pages PDF
Abstract

The performance of an innovative process, a microaerobic membrane bioreactor seeded with anaerobic granular sludge, was investigated for simultaneous removal of organic substances and nitrogen from domestic synthetic wastewaters. Total COD removal efficiency of more than 93% was achieved, unaffected by the changes in influent COD and HRT throughout the entire operation. Nitrogen was removed through the simultaneous nitrification and denitrification process. The N-removal rate of the system was 20–45 mg N L−1 d−1 at a nitrogen loading rate of 26–67 mg N L−1 d−1. Nitrification was the rate-limiting step. The average TN removal efficiency increased from 77% at a COD/TN ratio of 19.5 to 87% at a ratio of 7.7. The batch assay with granules can achieve 92% COD removal and 84% TN removal, whereas the COD and TN removal declined to only 84% and 67%, respectively, after the granules were homogenized. The microaerobic granules also remained at a relatively high methanogenic activity. The test results showed that cake layer resistance was the major resistance to the membrane filter.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Chemical Engineering Filtration and Separation