6533b7dafe1ef96bd126eba7
RESEARCH PRODUCT
The role of EPS in fouling and foaming phenomena for a membrane bioreactor
Alida CosenzaGiorgio ManninaMichele TorregrossaGaetano Di Bellasubject
Environmental EngineeringSettore ICAR/03 - Ingegneria Sanitaria-AmbientaleWaste managementFoulingPolymersRenewable Energy Sustainability and the EnvironmentChemistryMembrane foulingMembranes ArtificialBioengineeringFoulingGeneral MedicineMembrane bioreactorBioreactorsMBR plantExtracellular polymeric substanceActivated sludgeChemical engineeringNutrient removalSewage treatmentWaste Management and DisposalFoamingdescription
In contraposition to conventional activated sludge processes, the foaming phenomenon in membrane bioreactor (MBR) is still in its infancy. On the other hand, although several studies have been carried out for better understanding the fouling phenomenon in MBR there are still some gaps in the up-to-date knowledge. The extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) may have a primary role in fouling and foaming phenomena which in turn can be crucial for MBRs. The aim of this study is to detect a possible relationship that EPSs may have with fouling and foaming in an MBR for wastewater treatment. Foaming phenomenon is monitored by performing specific foam-tests: Foam Power, Scum Index, Foam Rating and filamentous abundance. Results show a high correlation between fouling vs EPS and foaming vs bound EPSs. A relationship between foaming and fouling was also found: in general, when foaming occurred the fouling rate decreases because the EPS bound remained trapped in the floating scum.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-05-31 | Bioresource Technology |