Energy efficiency in membrane bioreactors

Abstract

Energy consumption remains the key factor for the optimisation of the performance of membrane bioreactors (MBRs). This paper presents the results of the detailed energy audits of six full-scale MBRs operated by Suez Environnement in France, Spain and the USA based on on-site energy measurement and analysis of plant operation parameters and treatment performance. Specific energy consumption is compared for two different MBR configurations (flat sheet and hollow fibre membranes) and for plants with different design, loads and operation parameters. The aim of this project was to understand how the energy is consumed in MBR facilities and under which operating conditions, in order to finally provide guidelines and recommended practices for optimisation of MBR operation and design to reduce energy consumption and environmental impacts.

Green technology in wastewater treatment technologies: Integration of membrane bioreactor with various wastewater treatment systems

“…Air scouring for the membrane and aeration of activated sludge are accounted for 60-80% of the energy consumption in MBR [94] .There are several methods to reduce the membrane fouling of MBR such as optimization of HRT and SRT which were discussed in some review papers [2,9,13,15]. However, this study is focusing on the integrated system with MBR that able to reduce membrane fouling.…”

Pilot plant study of a new rotating hollow fibre membrane module for improved performance of an anaerobic submerged MBR

“…Nevertheless, while the process is recognised as providing superior effluent quality with a small footprint, it is energy intensive (0.5-0.7 kW h/m 3 ) at optimum operation conditions [2] and produces large amounts of residual biomass (0.2-0.4 kg MLSS/kg COD removed) [1]. In this framework, MBR design is now focussed on reducing energy demands and environmental impacts.…”

Full-scale validation of an air scour control system for energy savings in membrane bioreactors

“…Membrane air scouring is a process that contributes markedly to the total operating costs (Fenu et al, 2010;Santos et al, 2011;Verrecht et al, 2010). Membrane aeration represents between 35 and 50% of operational costs (Krzeminski et al, 2012a(Krzeminski et al, , 2012b, but this range can be extended up to 80% if aeration for biological purposes is also taken into account (Barillon et al, 2013).…”

“…The most recent developments on the module configuration and aeration operational strategies have resulted in considerable aeration improvements (i.e., reusing the air scour between different modules, using aeration intermittently or using cyclic aeration for hollow fiber membranes (Barillon et al, 2013;Drews, 2010;Judd, 2011;Verrecht et al, 2008)). However, there are no robust control systems that can reduce membrane aeration requirements while maintaining optimum filtration performance.…”