Membrane Fouling in an Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor (AnMBR)
This research focuses on understanding how flux decreases in an anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR). Decline in flux was calculated using an AnMBR operated towards the treatment of synthetic wastewater. The system consisted of an external 1m long tubular polyethersulphone (PES) membrane module with diameter of 12 mm that was connected to a six liter digester. To achieve this, several flux tests were made at different pressures. Each test consists of four measurements of effluent taken from the 1 m membrane, each one from a period of 1 minute. Pressures were changed and fluctuated from 20-130 kPa approximately. The AnMBR was operated for 41 days without chemical cleaning of the membrane which resulted of a membrane flux of 4 - 10 L/m2 h. Results demonstrated that the membrane is starting to get fouled and that flux is decreasing with time due to the accumulation of feed components on the membrane surface.
School:
Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico
Department:
Electrical Engineering
Research Advisor:
Eberhard Morgenroth
Department of Research Advisor:
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Year of Publication:
2006