Characterisation of initial fouling in aerobic submerged membrane bioreactors in relation to physico-chemical characteristics under different flux conditions
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Abstract
The initial fouling characteristics of aerobic submerged membrane bioreactors (MBRs)
were analysed under different flux conditions. Physico-chemical analyses of the mixed
liquor hinted that carbohydrates were more important to membrane fouling than proteins.
However, this contrasted with the characterisation of foulants on the membrane surfaces.
Micro-structural analyses of the foulants on the membrane surfaces showed that the
dominant foulants were different under different flux conditions. Membrane fouling
occurred through a biofilm-dominated process under lower flux conditions, but the
mechanism shifted towards a non-biofilm, organic fouling process as the flux was increased.
In spite of the differences in fouling mechanisms, it was found that the protein fraction
on the membrane surfaces, in the initial stages of MBR operations, had the greatest
impact in the rise of transmembrane pressure.
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