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Effect of powdered activated carbon dosage on sludge properties and membrane bioreactor performance in a hybrid

Shi Zhang1, Xingtao Zuo1, Juan Xiong2

  • 1a College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University , Wuhan , People's Republic of China.

Environmental Technology
|December 14, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Powdered activated carbon (PAC) significantly reduces membrane fouling in membrane bioreactors (MBRs) by improving sludge filterability and decreasing filtration resistance. This enhances MBR performance and extends operational time.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Water Treatment

Background:

  • Membrane fouling is a major challenge in Membrane Bioreactors (MBRs), impacting performance and increasing operational costs.
  • Understanding the role of additives like powdered activated carbon (PAC) is crucial for mitigating fouling.
  • Soluble microbial products (SMP) and sludge properties significantly influence membrane fouling dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of powdered activated carbon (PAC) on membrane fouling in MBRs.
  • To analyze the impact of PAC on sludge properties, soluble microbial products (SMP), and transmembrane pressure (TMP).
  • To evaluate PAC as a strategy for fouling mitigation in MBR systems.

Main Methods:

  • Monitoring of sludge properties, SMP, and TMP in MBRs with PAC addition.
  • Analysis of membrane fouling rate using TMP profiles and a resistance-in-series model.
  • Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis to assess organic carbon deposition on membranes.

Main Results:

  • PAC addition reduced membrane filtration resistance and significantly decreased the fouling rate.
  • Sludge filterability improved, extending filtration time by approximately twofold.
  • PAC altered SMP composition, lowering the protein/polysaccharide ratio and reducing organic matter deposition on membranes.

Conclusions:

  • Powdered activated carbon (PAC) is effective in mitigating membrane fouling in MBRs.
  • The degree of fouling mitigation is dependent on PAC dosage, with an optimum at 2 g/L.
  • PAC shows significant potential as a cost-effective strategy to enhance MBR performance and longevity.
Keywords:
Activated sludgeMBRPACSMPmembrane fouling

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