Membrane bioreactor with external side-stream membranes and high cross flow velocity to treat municipal wastewater

Abstract EN

In this work, a pilot unit using side-stream MBR configuration was operated in BioFlow mode (i.e.

no back pulse) and BioPulse mode (with intermittent back pulses) to treat municipal wastewater with relatively low MLSS.

The results showed that the trans-membrane pressure (TMP) was less in the case of BioPulse over the whole period of system operation compared to that of BioFlow mode.

However, the energy consumption per unit volume of permeated water is slightly higher in the case of BioFlow mode (3.4 kW.hr/m3) than that in the case of BioPulse mode (3.2 kW.hr/m3).

Therefore, operation in BioPulse is preferable due to stable TMP caused by nearly fully recoverable fouling type, which results in lower chemical cleaning frequency.

The MBR unit showed steady performance at a flux of 60 L/m2.hr.

The system could achieve good water quality that satisfies Iraqi standards requirements for wastewater reuse or discharge to water resources