Experimental study of the anaerobic urban wastewater treatment in a submerged hollow-fibre membrane bioreactor at pilot scale

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of several operational variables on both biological and separation process performance in a submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor pilot plant that treats urban wastewater. The pilot plant is equipped with two industrial hollow-fibre ultrafiltration membrane modules (PURON? Koch Membrane Systems, 30 m2 of filtration surface each). It was operated under mesophilic conditions (at 33 °C), 70 days of SRT, and variable HRT ranging from 20 to 6h. The effects of the influent COD/SO?-S ratio (ranging from 2 to 12) and the MLTS concentration (ranging from 6 to 22 g L?1) were also analysed. The main performance results were about 87% of COD removal, effluent VFA below 20 mg L?1 and biogas methane concentrations over 55% v/v. Methane yield was strongly affected by the influent COD/SO?-S ratio. No irreversible fouling problems were detected, even for MLTS concentrations above 22 g L?1.     

New insights into membrane fouling in a submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor based on characterization of cake sludge and bulk sludge

A laboratory-scale submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor (SAnMBR) treating thermomechanical pulping whitewater was operated for over 7 months to investigate and compare the characteristics of cake sludge and bulk sludge during stable state operation period. Serial analysis showed that cake sludge had a smaller particle size distribution (PSD), much higher specific filtration resistance (1.34 × 10¹⁴ m/kg), 1.5 times higher bound EPS and significantly different microbial community as compared with bulk sludge. Further analysis indicated that small flocs, bound EPS and inorganic materials play important role in cake formation process. The formed cake layer was found to have a heterogeneous structure. The results obtained in this study indicated that cake formation process started from attachment of small flocs and/or specific bacterial clusters which colonize the surface of the membrane and provide enhanced conditions that allow for cake formation to progress.     

Effects of the internal recycling rate on biological nutrient removal and microbial community structure in a sequential anoxic/anaerobic membrane bioreactor

This study investigated the effects of the internal recycling rate on nutrients removal in a sequential anoxic/anaerobic membrane bioreactor (SAM). Microbial community structure in sludge from the SAM was studied using quinone profile method. Above 98% COD, 68% nitrogen, and 55% phosphorus removal efficiencies were achieved when the internal recycling rate was 2.5 times influent flow. At that rate, the optimum specific nitrate loading rate and COD/NO(3)-N ratio were found to be 2.24 mgNO(3)-N g(-1) MLSS h(-1) and 9.13, respectively. Batch tests demonstrated that anoxic condition suppressed phosphorus release, and that denitrification was also influenced by initial substrate concentration. Denitrification appeared to have some priority over phosphorus release for substrate uptake. Microbial community analysis revealed a predominance of the subclass beta-Proteobacteria. Furthermore, it was found that Rhodocyclus-related bacteria were efficient at phosphorus removal than Actinobacteria.     

Effects of short solids retention time on microbial community in a membrane bioreactor

Effects of operating lab-scale nitrifying membrane bioreactors (MBR) at short solids retention times (SRT = 3, 5 and 10d) were presented with focus on reactor performance and microbial community composition. The process was capable of achieving over 87% removal of ammonia and 95% removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), almost regardless of SRT. The denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis shown that bacterial communities evolved in time in a similar way at different SRT. The results of clone library analysis indicated that Betaproteobacteria was the dominant bacterial group in all the reactors but there were significant difference of species for different SRT with higher species diversity at longer SRT. Ammonia and COD removal efficiencies were not correlated with the number of bacterial species or their diversity.     

Effect of organic loading rate on VFA production, organic matter removal and microbial activity of a two-stage thermophilic anaerobic membrane bioreactor

This study focused on the VFA (volatile fatty acid) profile variation with organic loading rate (OLR) of a two stage thermophilic anaerobic membrane bioreactor (TAnMBR). The two stage TAnMBR treating high strength molasses-based synthetic wastewater was operated under a side-stream partial sedimentation mode at 55 °C. Reactor performances were studied at different OLR ranging from 5 to 12 kg COD m⁻³ d⁻¹. Operational performance of TAnMBR was monitored by assessing biological activity, organic removal efficiency, and VFA. The major intermediate products of anaerobic digestion were identified as acetate, propionate, iso-butyrate, n-butyrate and valerate. Among them acetate and n-butyrate were identified as the most abundant components. Increase of OLR changes the predominant VFA type from acetic acid to n-butyric acid and the total VFA concentration was increased with increased OLR. Moreover, increased OLR increased organic removal efficiency up to second loading rate and dropped in third loading rate while biological activity was increased continuously.     

Effects of low-concentration Cr(VI) on the performance and the membrane fouling of a submerged membrane bioreactor in the treatment of municipal wastewater

The effects of low-concentration Cr(VI) (0.4 mg?l^?1) on the performance of a submerged membrane bioreactor (SMBR) in the treatment of municipal wastewater, as well as membrane fouling were investigated. Compared with the SMBR for control municipal wastewater, the SMBR for Cr(VI)-containing municipal wastewater had a higher concentration of soluble microbial products (SMP) with lower molecular weights, and smaller sludge particle sizes. Furthermore, low-concentration Cr(VI) induced membrane fouling, especially irreversible membrane pore blocking, which markedly shortened the service life of the membrane.     

Effects of biofilm formation on membrane performance in submerged membrane bioreactors

The effects of biofilm formation on membrane performance were evaluated for a submerged membrane bioreactor (sMBR) system with six different types of micro- and ultrafiltration membranes (working volume = 19 l). After operation for 24 h the permeability of the membranes with a larger pore size (microfiltration) decreased to that of the membranes with a much smaller pore size (ultrafiltration). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed that biofilms could reduce the influence of the membrane surface properties. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency was 95% for the oily wastewater treatment in the sMBR where the filtration process made an important contribution (47% based on feed COD). Significant enhancement in COD removal occurred at the initial filtration stage because of biofilm formation and the dynamic member role of the biofilm layer. Membranes with various pore sizes had approximately the same permeate quality that was attributed to the biofilm on the membrane surfaces. Nevertheless, the ultrafiltration membranes had 43% more COD removal efficiency than the other applied membranes at the beginning of filtration (before biofilm formation) because of the smaller pore sizes and better sieving.     

Effect of the concentration of suspended solids on the enzymatic activities and biodiversity of a submerged membrane bioreactor for aerobic treatment of domestic wastewater

A pilot-scale submerged membrane bioreactor was used for the treatment of domestic wastewater in order to study the influence of the variations in the concentration of volatile suspended solids (VSS) on the enzymatic activities (acid and alkaline phosphatases, glucosidase, protease, esterase, and dehydrogenase) and biodiversity of the bacterial community in the sludge. The influence of VSS concentration was evaluated in two separated experiments, which were carried out in two different seasons of the year (experiment 1 through spring–summer and experiment 2 through autumn–winter). Cluster analysis of the temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TGGE) profiles demonstrated that the community composition was significantly different in both experiments. Within the same experiment, the bacterial community experienced sequential shifts as the biomass accumulated, as shown by the evolution of the population profiles through time as VSS concentration increased. All enzymatic activities studied were significantly lower during experiment 2, except for glucosidase. Concentrations of VSS over 8 g/l induced a strong descent of all enzymatic activities, which overlapped with a significant modification of the community composition. Sequences of the major TGGE bands were identified as representatives of the Alpha-proteobacteria, filamentous bacteria (Thiotrix), and nitrite oxidizers (Nitrospira). Some sequences which were poorly related to any validated bacterial taxon were obtained.     

Bacterial community structure of a lab‐scale anammox membrane bioreactor

Autotrophic nitrogen removal technologies have proliferated through the last decade. Among these, a promising one is the membrane bioreactor (MBR) Anammox, which can achieve very high solids retention time and therefore sets a proper environment for the cultivation of anammox bacteria. In this sense, the MBR Anammox is an efficient technology for the treatment of effluents with low organic carbon and high ammonium concentrations once it has been treated under partial nitrification systems. A lab‐scale MBR Anammox bioreactor has been built at the Technological University of Delft, The Netherlands and has been proven for efficient nitrogen removal and efficient cultivation of anammox bacteria. In this study, next‐generation sequencing techniques have been used for the investigation of the bacterial communities of this MBR Anammox for the first time ever. A strong domination of Candidatus Brocadia bacterium and also the presence of a myriad of other microorganisms that have adapted to this environment were detected, suggesting that the MBR Anammox bioreactor might have a more complex microbial ecosystem that it has been thought. Among these, nitrate‐reducing heterotrophs and primary producers, among others, were identified. Definition of the ecological roles of the OTUs identified through metagenomic analysis was discussed. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 31:186–193, 2015     

Removal of organic pollutants and analysis of MLSS–COD removal relationship at different HRTs in a submerged membrane bioreactor

In order to investigate the influence of hydraulic retention time (HRT) on organic pollutant removal in a submerged membrane bioreactor (SMBR), a laboratory-scale experiment was conducted using domestic sewage as influent. The dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration was controlled at 2.0– during the experimental period. The experiments demonstrated that when HRT was 3, 2 and 1 h, the reduction of chemical oxygen demand (COD) was 89.3–97.2, 88.5–97.3 and 80–91.1%, and the effluent COD was 38.9–11.2, 41.6–10.8 and 63.4–, respectively. It is suggested that an HRT of 1 h could meet the normal standard of discharged domestic sewage, and an HRT of 2 h could meet that of water reclamation. In addition, we use mathematical software MATLAB to analyse the relation of mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) and COD removal. The results showed that the optimum MLSS concentration should be maintained at around in the SMBR. The results also showed that the COD removal was related to HRT (τ), influent concentration (S₀) and sludge loading rate for COD removal (N_S). Moreover, the high COD removal could be achieved through adjusting τ, S₀ and N_S.     

Nitrification performance and microbial community dynamics in a submerged membrane bioreactor with complete sludge retention

A submerged membrane bioreactor (MBR) supplied with inorganic ammonium-bearing wastewater (NH(4)(+)-N, 500 mgl(-1)) was operated for 260 days without sludge purge under decreased hydraulic retention times (HRT) through six steps (from 30 to 5h). Almost complete nitrification was obtained at a volumetric loading rate (VLR)1.2g NH(4)(+)-Nl(-1)day(-1). The sludge nitrification activities were evaluated at each stage. The specific ammonium oxidizing rate (SAOR) decreased from the initial 0.45 to 0.15 kg NH(4)(+)-Nkg(-1)MLSSday(-1) in the last four stages, while the specific nitrate forming rate (SNFR) increased from 0.17 to 0.39 kg NO(3)(-)-Nkg(-1)MLSSday(-1) at the third stage, and then decreased to below 0.1 kg NO(3)(-)-Nkg(-1)MLSSday(-1) from the fourth stage. Microbial population dynamics was investigated by a combination of the MPN method, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and quinone profiles. During the experiment, although the MLSS increased gradually from 4.5 to 11.5 gl(-1), the number of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) decreased from 10(9)l(-1) at the third stage to 10(7)l(-1) in the last two stages, and that of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) decreased gradually from 10(8)l(-1) at the second stage (HRT of 20 h) to the final 10(5)l(-1). FISH results showed that the active cells decreased gradually with time from about 60 to 20% in the last two stages, and most of sludge was inert cells. The sum of nitrifiers occupied only about 10% of the total bacteria number in the last stage even though only ammonium-bearing inorganic wastewater was fed in. Nitrosomonas sp. and Nitrospira sp. were confirmed by FISH as the dominant nitrifying genera responsible for ammonia and nitrite oxidation, respectively. In the mean time, a small ratio of Nitrobacter sp. also existed in the system. FISH analysis matched better with the batch activity test results than did the MPN techniques. Quinone profiles revealed that the dominant ubiquinone was ubiquinone-8 (UQ-8), ranging from 84 to 66%, followed by UQ-10 of 7-13%, UQ-7 of 3-5% and UQ-9 of 1.6-2.6%. The dominant menaquinone in the MBR was menaquinone-7 (MK-7) followed by MK-6, MK-8 and MK-8 (H(2)). With the prolongation of operation, the percentage of menaquinones increased from 8 to 14%. The use of the polyphasic approach gave some new insight on variations of microbial community structures.     

Comparison between a moving bed membrane bioreactor and a conventional membrane bioreactor on membrane fouling

A membrane bioreactor filled with carriers instead of activated sludge named a moving bed membrane bioreactor (MBMBR) was investigated to minimize the effect of suspended solids on membrane fouling. The MBMBR and a conventional membrane bioreactor (CMBR) were operated in parallel for about two months. Unexpectedly, the rate of membrane fouling in MBMBR was about three times of that in CMBR. MBMBR showed a higher cake layer resistance than CMBR due to plenty of filamentous bacteria inhabited in suspended solids in MBMBR. Protein and polysaccharide contents of soluble EPS in MBMBR were obviously larger than those in CMBR. It could be speculated that the overgrowth of filamentous bacteria in MBMBR resulted in severe cake layer and induced a large quantity of EPS, which deteriorated the membrane fouling.     

Spatial sequencing of microbial reduction of chromate and nitrate in membrane bioreactor

Sequential reduction of chromate and nitrate, two competitive electron acceptors, has been demonstrated for strains of Pseudomonas genus for both planktonic cells and cells immobilised in agar layers on the surface of synthetic membrane. Denitrification occurs practically after chromate depletion. This order of reduction process is consistent with redox potentials of the respective reactions. In a membrane bioreactor, competitive inhibition results in nitrate transfer through the membrane without transformation. Thus the receiving phase is contaminated with nitrate. To address this problem, a membrane has been used for spatial sequencing of chromate and nitrate reduction. Bacterial cells were immobilised in two layers with each layer placed on opposing sides of the membrane. By this means, chromate reduction is localised into the layer contacting the feed phase while nitrate reduction occurs in the layer facing the receiving phase. As a result, only traces of the pollutants are detected in the receiving phase.     

Influence of elevated pH shocks on the performance of a submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor

The effects of elevated pH shocks on the performance and membrane fouling of a submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor (SAnMBR) treating thermomechanical pulping (TMP) whitewater was studied over a 120-day period. Changes in chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal, biogas production, sludge and cake layer properties, and their correlations to membrane fouling – before and after pH shocks – were systematically studied using various analytical tools. The results showed that a pH 8.0 shock had a minor impact, while pH 9.1 and 10.0 shocks exerted significant long-lasting negative impacts on COD removal, biogas production and membrane filtration performance of the SAnMBR. When the normal pH (7.0) was resumed, it took approximately 1, 6, and 30 days for the performance to recover for pH 8.0, 9.1 and 10.0 shocks, respectively. The elevated pH shocks induced the dispersion of sludge flocs and resulted in the accumulation of colloids and solutes or biopolymers in the sludge suspension, and thus deteriorated membrane performance. Statistical analysis showed that the ratio of proteins (PN) to polysaccharides (PS) in extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) had a strongly negative effect on the membrane fouling rate. There were smaller size particles deposited on the membrane surface and a more compact and denser cake layer was formed after being exposed to an alkaline shock at pH 10, resulting in higher membrane fouling rates.     

Effects of internal recycling time mode and hydraulic retention time on biological nitrogen and phosphorus removal in a sequencing anoxic/anaerobic membrane bioreactor process

This study investigated the effects of internal recycling time mode and hydraulic retention time (HRT) on nutrient removal in the sequencing anoxic/anaerobic membrane bioreactor process. Denitrification and phosphorus release were reciprocally dependent on the anoxic/anaerobic time ratio (Ax/An). As Ax/An increased, nitrogen removal rate increased but phosphorus removal rate decreased. The increasing Ax/An provided the longer denitrification period so that the organic substrate were consumed more for denitrification rather than phosphorus release in the limited condition of readily biodegradable substrate. Decreasing HRT increased both nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiency because as HRT decreased, food-to-microorganism loading ratio increased and thus enhanced the biological capacity and activity of denitrifying bacteria. This could be verified from the observation mixed liquor suspended solids concentration and specific denitrification rate. The change of Ax/An and HRT affected phosphorus removal more than nitrogen removal due to the limitation of favourable carbon source for phosphorus accumulating organisms.     

Effect of membrane bioreactor configurations on sludge structure and microbial activity

The aim of this paper was to determine the effect of two different membrane bioreactor (MBR) configurations (external/immersed) on sludge structure and microbial activity. Sludge structure was deduced from rheological measurements. The high shear stress induced by the recirculation pump in the external MBR was shown to result in decreasing viscosity due to activated sludge (AS) deflocculation. Besides, soluble microbial products (SMP) release was higher in the external MBR (5 mg_COD g_MLVSS⁻¹) than in the immersed configuration (2 mg_COD g_MLVSS⁻¹). Microbial activity was followed from respirometry tests by focusing on the distinction between heterotrophs and autotrophs. An easier autotrophic microbe development was then observed in the immersed MBR compared to the external one. However, the external MBR was shown to allow better heterotrophic microbe development.     

Application of biocathode in microbial fuel cells: cell performance and microbial community

Instead of the utilization of artificial redox mediators or other catalysts, a biocathode has been applied in a two-chamber microbial fuel cell in this study, and the cell performance and microbial community were analyzed. After a 2-month startup, the microorganisms of each compartment in microbial fuel cell were well developed, and the output of microbial fuel cell increased and became stable gradually, in terms of electricity generation. At 20 ml/min flow rate of the cathodic influent, the maximum power density reached 19.53 W/m3, while the corresponding current and cell voltage were 15.36 mA and 223 mV at an external resistor of 14.9 Omega, respectively. With the development of microorganisms in both compartments, the internal resistance decreased from initial 40.2 to 14.0 Omega, too. Microbial community analysis demonstrated that five major groups of the clones were categorized among those 26 clone types derived from the cathode microorganisms. Betaproteobacteria was the most abundant division with 50.0% (37 of 74) of the sequenced clones in the cathode compartment, followed by 21.6% (16 of 74) Bacteroidetes, 9.5% (7 of 74) Alphaproteobacteria, 8.1% (6 of 74) Chlorobi, 4.1% (3 of 74) Deltaproteobacteria, 4.1% (3 of 74) Actinobacteria, and 2.6% (2 of 74) Gammaproteobacteria.