Enhancement of Organic Matter Removal in an Integrated Biofilm-Membrane Bioreactor Treating High-Salinity Wastewater

Abstract EN

High salinity can strongly inhibit microbial activity and decrease the sedimentation ability of activated sludge.

The combination of biofilm and membrane bioreactor is a practical approach towards effective removal of pollutants and low fouling rate.

An integrated biofilm-membrane bioreactor (BMBR) treating mustard tuber wastewater was investigated.

An average COD removal efficiency of 94.81% and ammonium removal efficiency of 96.84% were achieved at an organic load of 0.5 kg COD/(m3·d).

However, the reactor showed a relatively low efficiency in total nitrogen and soluble phosphorus removal due to the lack of anaerobic environment.

The increase of influent organic load resulted in a performance degradation because a balance between the degradation ability and pollution has been reached.

Images of scanning electron microscopy revealed that halophilic bacteria were the dominant microbe in the system that leads to a loose sludge structure and declined settling properties.

It was found that membrane fouling was the consequence of the interaction of microbial activities and NaCl crystallization.