Pilot study on an integrated anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) and intermittent cycle extended aeration system
Tran Thi Thai Hang1, Vien Vinh Phat1, Huynh Hieu Hanh1
1Faculty of Engineering, Vietnamese-German University, Binh Duong Province, Viet Nam.
Abstract:
Seafood processing wastewater presents a significant treatment challenge due to its high salinity, elevated organic load, and substantial lipid-protein content. This study evaluated a pilot-scale hybrid Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor-Intermittent Cycle Extended Aeration System (AnMBR-ICEAS) operated onsite with real seafood wastewater to achieve simultaneous organic removal, nutrient reduction, and energy recovery. The AnMBR achieved stable COD removal of 75.2-87.6 % with methane yields of 132-289 mL CH4/g COD_removed (average 220 ± 50 ml/g), supported by a robust fermentative-syntrophic microbial consortium despite moderate membrane fouling. Nutrient removal in the AnMBR remained limited (TN: 6.4-17.6 %; TP: 10-20 %). The ICEAS maintained active biomass (∼3,500 mg/l) and achieved high removals of COD (89-92 %), TN (77-91 %), and TP (11-38 %), with phosphorus removal strongly governed by hydraulic retention time. Microbial analysis revealed the dominance of Pseudomonadota, Betaproteobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, and Planctomycetota, supporting efficient heterotrophic degradation and synergistic nitrogen removal via nitrification-denitrification and anammox-related pathways. When integrated, the hybrid AnMBR-ICEAS system achieved up to 98.7 % COD, 96 % TN, and 47 % TP removal, demonstrating synergistic performance and operational robustness. These results highlight the AnMBR-ICEAS configuration as a compact, energy-efficient, and sustainable treatment strategy for high-strength saline seafood wastewater.
Related Concept Videos
Pilot and Numeric Relaying
What are Biogeochemical Cycles?
Lysogenic Cycle of Bacteriophages
The Phosphorus Cycle
The Nitrogen Cycle
The Sulfur Cycle


