Integrated self-forming dynamic membrane (SFDM) and membrane-aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) system enhanced single-stage autotrophic nitrogen removal

The membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) is a novel bioreactor technology, facilitating single-stage autotrophic nitrogen removal. Two laboratory-scale MABRs equipped with non-woven fabrics were operated simultaneously without and with a self-forming dynamic membrane (SFDM) filtration module. After 87 days of operation (system start-up), the reactor incorporated with SFDM filtration showed better performance in terms of total nitrogen removal (>80%) and effluent suspended solid (less than1 mg/L) than the MABR in the up flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) configuration (i.e., without SFDM). The incorporation of SFDM has the ability to retain more slow growing biomass (anammox) inside the reactor. Microbial characterization by 16S rRNA-based amplicon sequencing shows that the abundance and composition of microbial communities in two MABR systems were different, i.e., the genusRhodanobacterwas abundant in UASB-MABR, while Calorithrixwas dominant in SFDM-MABR. PCA-based statistical analysis demonstrated a positive association between reactor performance, membrane characteristics and microbial communities.