Continuous biological ferrous iron oxidation in a submerged membrane bioreactor

Microbial oxidation of ferrous iron may be available alternative method of producing ferric iron, which is a reagent used for removal of H2S from biogas. In this study, a submerged membrane bioreactor (MBR) system was employed to oxidize ferrous iron to ferric iron. In the submerged MBR system, we could keep high concentration of iron-oxidizing bacteria and high oxidation rate of ferrous iron. There was membrane fouling caused by chemical precipitates such as K-jarosite and ferric phosphate. However, a strong acidity (pH 1.75) of solution and low ferrous iron concentration (below 3000 mg/I) significantly reduced the fouling of membrane module during the bioreactor operation. A fouled membrane module could be easily regenerated with a 1 M of sulfuric acid solution. In conclusion, the submerged MBR could be used for high-density culture of iron-oxidizing bacteria and for continuous ferrous iron oxidation. As far as our knowledge concerns, this is the first study on the application of a submerged MBR to high acidic conditions (below pH 2).