Search results for "MB-MBR"
showing 7 items of 7 documents
Nitrous oxide emission from a moving bed membrane biofilm reactor: the effect of the sludge retention time
2016
The aim of the present study was to investigate the nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from a University of Cape Town (UCT) moving bed membrane bioreactor pilot plant. An experimental campaign was carried out during 60 days with three different sludge retention time (SRT). The pilot plant reactor was provided of funnel shape covers that guaranteed gas accumulation in the headspace. The results highlighted that N2O concentrations significantly increased when the biofilm concentrations increased within the aerobic and anoxic compartments. Furthermore, results have shown an increase of N2O with the decrease of SRT. Moreover, the MBR tank resulted the key emission source (up to 70% of the total N2O …
The sludge dewaterability in membrane bioreactors
2016
The influence of the sludge origin on the dewaterability features has been investigated by comparing the experimental results of six membrane bioreactor pilot plants with different configurations. The capillary suction time (CST) and the specific resistance to filtration (SRF), identified as representative of sludge dewaterability features, were measured. The results were related to operational parameters, such as extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and soluble microbial product (SMP), influent salinity and hydrocarbon, in order to elucidate the influence exerted on the dewaterability. Furthermore, the effect of biofilm and suspended biomass was also investigated. The results showed th…
Evaluation of biomass activity in membrane bioreactors by means of respirometric techniques
2016
The paper reports the main results of a respirometric experimental survey carried out on several membrane bioreactor pilot plants, characterized by different pilot plant layouts as well as operational conditions. The main aim was to assess the influence of specific conditions on biokinetic/stoichiometric parameters. In particular, the respirometric tests were specifically aimed at investigating the activity of both heterotrophic and autotrophic bacterial species. The achieved results showed that the plant configuration and the features of the feeding wastewater and operational conditions determine significant variation of the kinetic coefficients. The respirometric analysis was confirmed to…
PERFORMANCE OF A MBR PILOT PLANT SUBJECT TO A GRADUAL SALINITY INCREASE: ANALYSIS OF BIOKINETIC AND FOULING BEHAVIOR
2013
Membrane bioreactors (MBRs) have been widely used for the treatment of various wastewater, including municipal, industrial, landfill leachate (Wintgens et al., 2005). Such systems generally provide decisive advantages compared to conventional activated sludge (CAS) processes: in particular, they feature high quality effluent, small footprint and low sludge production rates (Stephenson et al., 2000). In recent years MBRs have also been used for the treatment of specific saline water, such as wastewater produced from shipboard activities, aquaculture wastewater or wastewater deriving by sediment washing treatment, as an example. However, when subject to salinity, a modification of biomass cha…
Performance of membrane bioreactor (MBR) systems for the treatment of shipboard slops: Assessment of hydrocarbon biodegradation and biomass activity …
2015
In order to prevent hydrocarbon discharge at sea from ships, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) enacted the MARPOL 73/78 convention in which any oil and oil residue discharged in wastewater streams must contain less than 5. ppm hydrocarbons. Effective treatment of this petroleum-contaminated water is essential prior to its release into the environment, in order to prevent pollution problem for marine ecosystems as well as for human health. Therefore, two bench scale membrane bioreactors (MBRs) were investigated for hydrocarbon biodegradation. The two plants were initially fed with synthetic wastewater characterised by an increasing salinity, in order to enhance biomass acclimatio…
Comparison between moving bed-membrane bioreactor (MB-MBR) and membrane bioreactor (MBR) systems: Influence of wastewater salinity variation
2014
Two pilot plant systems were investigated for the treatment of wastewater subject to a gradual increase of salinity. In particular, a membrane bioreactor (MBR) and a moving bed biofilm membrane bioreactor (MB-MBR) were analyzed. Carbon and ammonium removal, kinetic constants and membranes fouling rates have been assessed. Both plants showed very high efficiency in terms of carbon and ammonium removal and the gradual salinity increase led to a good acclimation of the biomass, as confirmed by the respirometric tests. Significant biofilm detachments from carriers were experienced, which contributed to increase the irreversible superficial cake deposition. However, this aspect prevented the por…
Comparison between MBR and MB-MBR pilot plants subject to a gradual salinity increase: analysis of biokinetic and fouling behaviour
2014
Two pilot plants were investigated for the treatment of wastewater subject to a gradual increase of salinity. In particular, a membrane bioreactor (MBR) and a moving bed biofilm membrane bioreactor (MB-MBR) were studied. Carbon and ammonium removal, kinetic constants and membranes fouling rates have been assessed. Both plants showed very high efficiency in terms of carbon and ammonium removal and the gradual salinity increase led to a good acclimation of the biomass, as confirmed by the respirometric tests. Significant biofilm detachments from carriers were experienced, which contributed to increase the irreversible superficial cake deposition. However, this aspect prevented the pore foulin…