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Dynamic modeling of nutrient removal by a MBR operated at elevated temperatures
M Sarioglu1, N Sayi-Ucar2, E Cokgor2
1MWH Global, London, United Kingdom.
Water Research
|July 10, 2017
Summary
High temperatures in membrane bioreactors (MBRs) significantly impact enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) and nitrification. Dynamic modeling revealed optimal conditions for phosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs) and glycogen accumulating organisms (GAOs).
Area of Science:
- Environmental Engineering
- Wastewater Treatment Technologies
- Biological Nutrient Removal
Background:
- Membrane bioreactors (MBRs) are increasingly used for municipal wastewater treatment.
- Understanding the impact of elevated temperatures on MBR performance is crucial for optimizing nutrient removal.
- Enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) is a key process affected by temperature fluctuations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the process performance of an MBR treating municipal sewage at elevated temperatures using dynamic modeling.
- To investigate the influence of temperature on enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) and nitrification.
- To assess the proliferation of Glycogen Accumulating Organisms (GAO) and Phosphate Accumulating Organisms (PAO) under varying conditions.
Main Methods:
- Dynamic modeling was employed to simulate MBR operation under different temperature regimes (24–38 °C).
- Kinetic parameters, including maximum substrate uptake rates (qPHA) and Arrhenius coefficients (θ) for GAOs and PAOs, were estimated.
- The model was validated against 450 days of operational data, assessing effluent PO4 levels, nitrification, and denitrification.
Main Results:
- EBPR performance varied significantly with temperature, ranging from 40% to 95%.
- Maximum uptake rates were estimated at 1.5 gCODS/gCODX.day-1 for GAOs and 4.7 gCODS/gCODX.day-1 for PAOs.
- Nitrification was impaired at high temperatures (around 38 °C), while simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SNdN) contributed significantly to overall denitrification (40-50%) due to mass transfer limitations.
Conclusions:
- Dynamic modeling accurately described MBR performance, including effluent PO4 levels, at elevated temperatures.
- Temperature plays a critical role in EBPR efficiency and the competition between PAOs and GAOs.
- High mixed liquor viscosities in MBRs can limit gas/liquid mass transfer, impacting denitrification efficiency.
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