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Analysis of the Activated Sludge Process in an MBR under Starvation Conditions
Author(s) -
Vukovic M.,
Briški F.,
Matošic M.,
Mijatovic I.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
chemical engineering and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.403
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1521-4125
pISSN - 0930-7516
DOI - 10.1002/ceat.200500314
Subject(s) - activated sludge , volatile suspended solids , mixed liquor suspended solids , chemistry , membrane bioreactor , bioreactor , biodegradation , nitrification , kinetics , chromatography , wastewater , environmental engineering , nitrogen , environmental science , organic chemistry , physics , quantum mechanics
An aerobic membrane bioreactor (MBR) at complete biomass retention was studied over a period of time under starvation conditions. Kinetic parameters were determined in a no‐feed batch test. The decay rate of activated sludge, k d = 0.05 d –1 , was determined by tracking the decrease of MLSS. The ratio of MLVSS/MLSS was in the range 0.76–0.85. The pH values were between 7.02 and 8.23. As a function of different initial concentrations of MLSS, specific nitrification rates q N, decreased from 4.23 to 0.02 mg‐N/(g MLVSS d) and specific biodegradation rates q b increased from 0.23 to 1.90 mg‐COD/(g MLVSS d). From experimental data the kinetic constants for respiration, which followed Monod kinetics, were determined as q O2max = 9.8 mg‐O 2 /(g MLVSS h), K x = 2.9 g/dm 3 . Additionally, a linear correlation between MLSS and mean floc size was found to exist during the biodegradation process.