fouling in membrane biorector
Flat sheet membrane modules are a popular and effective technique for water filtration[1].
These membranes consist of thin, semi-permeable sheets that filter water[1]. To maintain
optimal performance, regular cleaning and maintenance are essential[1].
Membrane fouling is the process where a solution or particle deposits on a membrane surface
or within the pores of a membrane, which degrades the membrane's performance. It is a
significant challenge in membrane bioreactors (MBRs) that can decrease permeate flux and
water quality, and may require intense chemical cleaning or membrane replacement,
increasing operational costs.
Fouling in MBRs can manifest as pore narrowing, pore clogging, and cake formation. Pore
clogging occurs when foulants block the membrane's micro-pores, largely depending on the
particle size relative to the pore size. Cake formation results from the continuous
accumulation of bacteria clusters, biopolymers, and inorganic matter, forming a layer on the
membrane that increases filtration resistance.
Foulants can be colloidal (clays, flocs), biological (bacteria, fungi), organic (oils,
polyelectrolytes, humics), or scaling (mineral precipitates). Organic foulants, such as
polysaccharides and proteins found in the metabolic products of bacteria (EPS), can deposit
on the membrane, reducing its permeability.
Membrane fouling can be either reversible or irreversible. Reversible fouling can be removed
through physical methods like backwashing, while irreversible fouling requires chemical
cleaning. However, frequent backwashing and chemical treatments can cause mechanical and
chemical degradation, potentially reducing the membrane's lifespan.[1]
Cleaning Techniques:
* Backwashing Reverses the water flow through the membrane to dislodge accumulated
particles[1].
* Chemical Cleaning Employs cleaning agents to dissolve organic and inorganic deposits[1].
It is important to follow the manufacturer's guidelines when selecting the appropriate cleaning
technique and chemicals to avoid damage to the membrane modules[1].
Maintenance Practices:
* Water Pressure Monitoring Controlling water pressure is essential to prevent damage to the
membranes. Excessive pressure can lead to rupture or deformation, compromising filtration
efficiency[1].
* Regular Inspections Regular inspections for physical damage or signs of fouling are
necessary. Damaged or worn-out modules should be replaced to prevent further
complications[1].
Fouling can occur during wastewater treatment and can be controlled and mitigated through
chemical surface modifications, treatments by plasma, or fouling-resistant coatings[4][6].
Zwitterionic coatings have demonstrated robust antifouling capabilities[4].
Modeling MBR :
ASM1 and COD composants :
The Activated Sludge Model No. 1 (ASM1) is a widely used mathematical model for
designing and operating wastewater treatment plants. It was developed in 1987 by the
International Water Association to explain organic compound and nitrogen removal using
oxygen and nitrate as electron acceptors. ASM1 utilizes Monod kinetics to predict biological
reaction processes and is implemented in many commercial software for modeling .
The Activated Sludge Model No. 1 (ASM1) uses chemical oxygen demand (COD) to measure
organic matter concentration and explain sludge production. In ASM1, carbon material is
divided into biomass, biodegradable COD, and non-biodegradable COD. A soluble
component is notated as S, while a particulate component is notated as X.
Key aspects of ASM1-SMP:
* Objective: The model aims to predict soluble COD and model high SRT (Solids Retention
Time) processes[1].
* Components: The model includes the kinetics of SMP formation and degradation[1]. Some
models consider UAP production from original substrate metabolism and classify soluble
biodegradable organics from biomass decay as BAPs[1].
* Integration: ASM1-SMP can be coupled with a resistance-in-series model to describe
membrane fouling in membrane bioreactors (MBRs)[1].
* Calibration: Model calibration is performed to validate the model against experimental
data[1].
* Limitations: Some models may have COD and charge imbalances or neglect physical
mechanisms like dynamic deep-bed filtration[1].
* Modifications: Several modifications to the ASM1-SMP model have been proposed to
improve its accuracy and applicability[1].
* Usefulness: The model can be integrated with available cake resistance models to capture
the membrane fouling phenomena of MBR[1].
COD components in ASM1:
Biodegradable COD This is divided into readily biodegradable substrate (S_S]) and
slowly biodegradable substrate (X_S]). Readily biodegradable substrates consist of simple
soluble molecules that organisms can easily absorb and metabolize for energy and
synthesis. Slowly biodegradable substrates are made up of particulate, colloidal, or
complex organic molecules that require enzymatic breakdown before they can be
absorbed and utilized.
Non-biodegradable COD This is divided into soluble (S_I]) and particulate (X_I])
material, neither of which are affected by biological action in the system. The soluble inert
material exits the system through the secondary clarifier effluent. The inert particulate
material is trapped in the sludge mass and accumulates as inert volatile suspended solids
(VSS). Excess sludge removes the inert particulate material from the system, and to some
extent, it is present in the settler effluent as well.
Active biomass This is divided into heterotrophic biomass (X_{B,H}) and autotrophic
biomass (X_{B,A}).
Extra state variable An extra state variable (X_P]) is included for modeling the inert
particulate products that arise from biomass decay.
The total COD balance of ASM1 is given by: COD= S_I + S_S + X_S+ X_{B,H} + X_{B,A}
+ X_I + X_P. Note that from a practical point, (X_I] and( X_P] may be merged into one
variable.
Nitrogenous material is divided into ammonia nitrogen (S_{NH}), organically bound
nitrogen, and active mass nitrogen. Organically bound nitrogen is divided into soluble and
particulate fractions, which may be biodegradable or non-biodegradable. Only particulate
biodegradable organic nitrogen (X_{ND}) and soluble biodegradable organic nitrogen
(S_{ND}) are explicitly included in the model.
ASM1 can be modified into an ASM1-SMP model. A combined EPS and SMP production
ASM1-based model (CES-ASM1) extends ASM1 with biokinetics. The ASM1-SMP model
can be integrated with hybrid modeling, like the PLS model, to correlate with relevant factors.
Definition of SMP,UAP,BAP :
Soluble Microbial Products (SMP) are a complex collection of organic compounds that
originate from bacterial metabolism and decay. They represent a significant portion of the
soluble organic carbon found in the effluent from biological treatment processes. SMPs are
also referred to as soluble Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPSs), and can move freely
among microbial flocs and the surrounding liquid.
SMPs consist of hydrophilic organic colloids and macromolecules. High molecular weight
SMP compounds can cause increased membrane resistance, which reduces permeate flux.
Two categories of SMPs include:
Utilization-associated products (UAPs) : These are produced during the metabolism
of substrates.
Biomass-associated products (BAPs) : These are produced from biomass decay or
cell lysis.
kinetic Parameters and Influence:
* SMP Formation and Degradation: The model includes the kinetics of SMP formation and
degradation[1]. Utilization-Associated Products (UAP) are produced from original substrate
metabolism, while Biomass-Associated Products (BAP) are soluble biodegradable organics
from biomass decay[1].
* Integration with Resistance Models: ASM1-SMP can be coupled with a resistance-in-
series model to describe membrane fouling in membrane bioreactors (MBRs)[1].
* Calibration: Model calibration is performed to validate the model against experimental
data[1][2].
* Operational Parameters: The SRT has been identified as a main influential parameter for
SMP concentration[1]. SMP concentrations were observed to drop at higher SRT, which can
be correlated with less fouling propensity[1].
* Biological Kinetic Parameters: SMP production is closely related to biological kinetic
parameters, and in MBR systems, membrane fouling should not be controlled apart from
biological factors such as SMP, TSS, SRT, and F/M ratio[2].
[1]Oliver Terna Iorhemen , Rania Ahmed Hamza , Joo Hwa Tay (2016). Membrane
Bioreactor (MBR) Technology for Wastewater Treatment and Reclamation: Membrane
Fouling. Membranes, 6(2), 33
[2] PhD thesis U. Jeppsson (1996). Modelling aspects of wastewater treatment processes. Lund
Institute of Technology, ISBN 91-88934-00-4 (asm1)
Henze et al., Activated Sludge Model No. 1, IAWPRC Scientific & Technical
Reports No. 5 (1987).
Jeppsson, U., Modelling Aspects of Wastewater Treatment Processes, Lund
Institute of Technology (1996).
Water Treatment Suppliers: Flat Sheet Membrane
Zuthi, M.F.R.; Ngo, H.H.; Guo, W.S.; Zhang J.; Liang S.: A review towards finding a
simplified approach for modelling the kinetics of soluble microbial products (SMP)
in an integrated mathematical model of membrane bioreactor (MBR) [PDF].
University of Technology Sydney