Comparison Between a Sequencing Batch Membrane Bioreactor and A
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中国科技论文在线 http://www.paper.edu.cn Process Biochemistry 41 (2006) 87–95 Comparison between a sequencing batch membrane bioreactor and a conventional membrane bioreactor Han-Min Zhang *, Jing-Ni Xiao, Ying-Jun Cheng, Li-Fen Liu, Xing-Wen Zhang, Feng-Lin Yang School of Environmental and Biological Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, PR China Received 1 July 2004; received in revised form 26 January 2005; accepted 19 March 2005 Abstract An operation of a membrane bioreactor in sequencing batch mode named a sequencing batch membrane bioreactor (SBMBR) was investigated for enhancing nitrogen and phosphorus removal. Its performance was compared with a conventional membrane bioreactor (CMBR) at various influent COD/TN ratios of 3.4–28.2. The operational parameters were optimized to increase the treatment efficiency. COD removal averaged at 94.9 and 97.7%, respectively, for SBMBR and CMBR during the 8 months experimental period. The SBMBR system demonstrated good performance on nitrogen and phosphorus removal at different COD/TN ratios. When COD/TN was 6.3 and the total nitrogen (TN) load was 0.22 kg/(m3 days), the TN and ammonium nitrogen removals of the SBMBR were maintained over 65 and 90%, respectively. Total phosphorus (TP) removal of the SBMBR was approximately 90% during most of the experimental time. In comparison, the CMBR did not perform so well. Its effluent TN concentration was close to that in the influent at COD/TN = 6.3 and TP removal was not stable. The specific nitrification rate test showed that pH value affected the activity of nitrifiers but no irreversible harm was induced. Furthermore, the sequencing batch mode operation of MBR retarded membrane fouling according to the monitoring of trans-membrane pressure (TMP). # 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Sequencing batch membrane bioreactor (SBMBR); Conventional membrane bioreactor (CMBR); Nitrogen and phosphorus removal; Membrane fouling; Specific nitrification rate 1. Introduction However, SBR has a potential deficit in that poor clarification and a turbid effluent are associated with it. The key nutrients causing eutrophication in waterways To overcome these drawbacks and improve system are excess phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations in performance, membrane filtration technology has been effluents from municipal or industrial plants discharged in introduced in biological wastewater treatment. The filtration the environment. Therefore, it is necessary to removal these function of membrane enables a complete solid–liquid from wastewater at their sources. A number of biological separation in membrane bioreactor (MBR), eliminating the nutrient removal (BNR) processes had been developed. need for the formation of flocs or aggregates [2–5]. The Among these processes, the sequencing batch reactor (SBR) combination of MBR have been used for treating various has been applied as one alternative BNR technology since its types of wastewater, which demonstrate good performance process is simple to operate and very flexible for combining for removal of organic matter and biological sludge nitrogen and phosphorus removal. Its cycle format can be separation [6–8]. easily modified at any time to offset changes in process Recent studies have introduced alternating aerobic and conditions, influent characteristics or effluent objectives [1]. anaerobic conditions in a submerged MBR by intermittent aeration for simultaneous removal of carbon and nitrogen. Yeom et al. [9] reported that an intermittently aerated * Corresponding author. membrane bioreactor with a submerged fibre hollow E-mail address: [email protected] (H.-M. Zhang). membrane was capable of achieving 96% COD and 83% 1359-5113/$ – see front matter # 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.procbio.2005.03.072 转载 中国科技论文在线 http://www.paper.edu.cn 88 H.-M. Zhang et al. / Process Biochemistry 41 (2006) 87–95 TN removals at 8–15 h HRT and a very long SRT. Ueda and 2. Materials and methods Hata [10] introduced an intermittent suction method in a membrane bioreactor for treatment of domestic sewage from 2.1. Reactors set-up and operation rural settlements. Ng et al. [11] investigated the effect of MLSS concentration in a sequencing batch membrane Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of experimental bioreactor on COD and nitrogen removal. Bae et al. [12] apparatus consisting of two 11 L Plexiglas reactors. evaluated the biological nutrient removal performance of a Temperature was controlled at 25 Æ 1 8C using thermostats. membrane separation process coupled to a SBR in the A balance-box with a float-ball valve was used to control treatment of dairy industry wastewater. All these studies water level of the two reactors. The membrane module used demonstrated that MBR operated in an intermittent way can in the two systems was a bundle of U-shaped hollow fibre obtain a high organic substrate and nitrogen removal. The membranes made of polyethylene (DAIKI, Japan) with a removal of phosphorus remains inadequate, however, and pore size of 0.1 mm and a filtration area of 0.15 m2. should be optimized to increase phosphorus removal. SBMBR and CMBR were in continuous operation in The objective of this study was to enhance nitrogen and parallel for about 8 months. The variation of operational phosphorus removal by sequential operation of a membrane parameter is listed in Table 1. The exchange ratio fB is bioreactor in alternating aerobic and anoxic/anaerobic defined as the ratio between the volume discharged per cycle condition. This system was named a sequencing batch and the entire working volume of the reactor. The water fed membrane bioreactor (SBMBR). Besides the advantages of rate of the two systems was the same and the SRT was 60 no sedimentation phase and thus a shorter cycle time, the days. combination may provide a suitable environment for both In the SBMBR system, the water was fed to the reactor nitrobacteria and phosphorus accumulating organisms during the anaerobic phase and the discharging of water (PAO) to survive under the appropriate operational condi- occurred during the aerobic phase. To make it work this way tions. This combination can also make it possible that the a timer-controlled power supply system was used and a Y- solids retention time (SRT) is independent of hydraulic shaped filter was installed before the electromagnetic valve retention time (HRT). Furthermore, the intermittent suction that connected to the influent pipeline. An agitator was used and the introduction of air diffusers near the membrane had for mixing during the anaerobic phase. The alternating been reported as the effective methods to reduce fouling and aerobic and anaerobic conditions in the SBMBR was created prolong membrane operation time and lifespan [13–16].It by the on and off control of the air pump. The air pump and also allowed good growth of strains with different doubling peristaltic pump worked simultaneously during the aerobic times. phase, while the electromagnetic valve placed in the influent The performance of the SBMBR and a conventional pipeline was closed. This resulted in discharge of water and membrane bioreactor (CMBR) on nutrient removal was the descending of water level in the reactor. For the anoxic/ compared at different influent COD/TN ratios from 3.4 to anaerobic phase, the air pump and peristaltic pump were 28.2. The suitable operation parameters under each closed and the agitator started to work to keep a complete condition were selected and membrane fouling monitored mixing of sludge and water. The feed water flowed into at the same time. the SBMBR by gravitational force. Its level was controlled Fig. 1. Schematic diagram of experimental process. 中国科技论文在线 http://www.paper.edu.cn H.-M. Zhang et al. / Process Biochemistry 41 (2006) 87–95 89 Table 1 Operation parameters in the experiment Phase Operational days (days) TNin (mg/L) COD/TN HRT (h) fB Cycle time of SBMBR (min) Anaerobic Aerobic I 1–12 16.5 (2.4) 28.2 (3.1) 22 9.1 60 60 II 13–30 22.9 (1.8) 19.4 (1.5) 22 9.1 60 60 III 31–72 47.1 (6.7) 9.4 (2.7) 22 9.1 60 60 IV 73–110 75.6 (8.1) 6.3 (1.4) 22 9.1 60 60 V 111–168 75.6 (8.1) 6.3 (1.4) 22 12.2 40 120 VI 169–175 75.6 (8.1) 6.3 (1.4) 11 24.2 40 120 VII 176–209 122.8 (7.2) 3.4 (1.4) 11 24.2 40 120 VIII 210–236 122.8 (7.2) 3.4 (1.4) 7.3 36.4 40 120 Standard deviation is given between parentheses; TNin, influent TN concentration. by the balance-box during this time. When this anaerobic removal of nitrogen and phosphorus. For the SBMBR, the phase was over the next cycle began with the aerobic phase. effluent of one cycle was collected in a beaker and the The CMBR was operated continuously in aerobic mixture used for analysis, while the instantaneous effluent environment through the whole experimental period. The was used for CMBR. influent and the effluent were not interrupted. Other conditions were the same as the SBMBR. 2.5.2. Cyclic studies This test was carried out when the performance of 2.2. Feed medium SBMBR was stable. It was applied to the SBMBR for optimizing nutrient removal, which includes a series of Synthetic wastewater fed to the reactors consisted of sampling and analysis during one cycle. t = 0 min was set for sucrose, NH4Cl, KH2PO4 and mineral solution containing the starting of the anaerobic phase. The sampling was done MgSO4Á7H2O, CaCl2Á2H2O, FeSO4Á2H2O and NaCl. The by manual adjustment peristaltic pump during the anaerobic initial complete influent contained 400 mg COD/L, 20 mg + + phase. Cyclic studies could clarify the transformation of NH4 -N/L and 4 mg PO4 -P/L.