Energy efficiency and biofouling control in a pilot-scale membrane bioreactor using low-frequency reciprocating motion and the succession of biofilm communities resistant to mechanical shear

Bae, Sung Woo; Sotto, Ryan De; Lee, Woonyoung; Ho, Jaeho

doi:10.1016/j.biteb.2020.100523

Cited by 8 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…The SED of the LEP-N-MBR was approximately 59.54% lower than that of the aerated MBR under similar operational conditions. These results demonstrated that vibrating membrane technology could significantly reduce energy consumption while controlling membrane fouling in an MBR, which has also been validated by other investigations [13,26]. Compared with the aerated MBR, the primary energy consumption in the LEP-N-MBR is caused by the motor rotation, which improves the shear stress along the membrane surface, instead of pumping air for membrane scouring and biomass mixing [20].…”

Section: Energy Consumptionsupporting

confidence: 67%

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Evaluating Fouling Control and Energy Consumption in a Pilot-Scale, Low-Energy POREFLON Non-Aerated Membrane Bioreactor (LEP-N-MBR) System at Different Frequencies and Amplitudes

Zuo

Song

et al. 2022

Membranes

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Continual aeration, a fouling control strategy that causes high energy consumption, is the major obstacle in the deployment of membrane bioreactors (MBRs) for wastewater treatment. In recent years, a technology has been developed which adopts mechanical reciprocity for membrane vibration, and it has been proven efficient for membrane scouring, as well as for saving energy: the low-energy POREFLON non-aerated membrane bioreactor (LEP-N-MBR). In this study, a pilot-scale LEP-N-MBR system was designed, established, and operated at various frequencies and amplitudes, and with various membrane models, so as to evaluate energy usage and membrane fouling. The results showed that a slower TMP rise occurred when the frequency and amplitude were set to 0.5 Hz and 10 cm, respectively. Under a suitable frequency and amplitude, the TMP increasing rate of model B (sealed only with epoxy resin) was slower than that of model A (sealed with a combination of polyurethane and epoxy resin). The average specific energy demand (SED) of the LEP-N-MBR was 0.18 kWh·m−3, much lower than the aerated MBR with 0.43 kWh·m−3 (obtained from a previous study), indicating a significant decrease of 59.54% in the SED. However, the uneven distribution of sludge within the membrane tank indicated that the poor hydraulic mixing in the reactor may result in sludge accumulation, which requires further operational optimization. The findings of this pilot-scale study suggest that the LEP-N-MBR system is promising and effective for municipal wastewater treatment with a much lower level of energy usage. More research is needed to further optimize the operation of the LEP-N-MBR for wide application.

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Section: Energy Consumptionsupporting

confidence: 67%

“…Mechanical systems offer better efficiency and cost-effectiveness than traditional control strategies. Furthermore, shear caused by vibration may be dispersed more uniformly throughout the membrane [13]. The efficiency of membrane vibration for fouling control is dependent on vibration frequency and amplitude.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating Fouling Control and Energy Consumption in a Pilot-Scale, Low-Energy POREFLON Non-Aerated Membrane Bioreactor (LEP-N-MBR) System at Different Frequencies and Amplitudes

Zuo

Song

et al. 2022

Membranes

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“…There are several studies stating that energy efficiency can be achieved by keeping the hydraulic load close to the design flow rate [ 136 , 140 ]. The main strategies of energy reduction that are developed or being developed are employing reciprocation MBR to use the reciprocating motion of membrane modules to replace air scouring, aeration control, the treatment of sludge, using variable frequency drivers to reduce air supply, decreasing pump power by adopting syphon filtration and airlift circulation, increasing flux, gravity-driven biological compartments, and the optimization of the recirculation rate [ 134 , 141 , 142 , 143 ].…”

Section: Cost Analysis and Energy Consumptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Advancement in Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) Technology toward Sustainable Industrial Wastewater Management

et al. 2023

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The advancement in water treatment technology has revolutionized the progress of membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology in the modern era. The large space requirement, low efficiency, and high cost of the traditional activated sludge process have given the necessary space for the MBR system to come into action. The conventional activated sludge (CAS) process and tertiary filtration can be replaced by immersed and side-stream MBR. This article outlines the historical advancement of the MBR process in the treatment of industrial and municipal wastewaters. The structural features and design parameters of MBR, e.g., membrane surface properties, permeate flux, retention time, pH, alkalinity, temperature, cleaning frequency, etc., highly influence the efficiency of the MBR process. The submerged MBR can handle lower permeate flux (requires less power), whereas the side-stream MBR can handle higher permeate flux (requires more power). However, MBR has some operational issues with conventional water treatment technologies. The quality of sludge, equipment requirements, and fouling are major drawbacks of the MBR process. This review paper also deals with the approach to address these constraints. However, given the energy limitations, climatic changes, and resource depletion, conventional wastewater treatment systems face significant obstacles. When compared with CAS, MBR has better permeate quality, simpler operational management, and a reduced footprint requirement. Thus, for sustainable water treatment, MBR can be an efficient tool.

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Membrane bioreactor processes

Nguyen

Chiemchaisri

Bui

et al. 2022

Current Developments in Biotechnology and Bioengineering

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Energy efficiency and biofouling control in a pilot-scale membrane bioreactor using low-frequency reciprocating motion and the succession of biofilm communities resistant to mechanical shear

Cited by 8 publications

References 38 publications

Evaluating Fouling Control and Energy Consumption in a Pilot-Scale, Low-Energy POREFLON Non-Aerated Membrane Bioreactor (LEP-N-MBR) System at Different Frequencies and Amplitudes

Evaluating Fouling Control and Energy Consumption in a Pilot-Scale, Low-Energy POREFLON Non-Aerated Membrane Bioreactor (LEP-N-MBR) System at Different Frequencies and Amplitudes

The Advancement in Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) Technology toward Sustainable Industrial Wastewater Management

Membrane bioreactor processes

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