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Enhancement of oxygen mass transfer coefficients in a hybrid membrane bioreactor
Author(s) -
Zerari Kamel,
Seyssieq Isabelle,
Akretche DjamalEddine,
Roche Nicolas
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of chemical technology and biotechnology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.64
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1097-4660
pISSN - 0268-2575
DOI - 10.1002/jctb.4062
Subject(s) - bioreactor , mass transfer , aeration , membrane , suspension (topology) , non newtonian fluid , chemical engineering , materials science , mass transfer coefficient , oxygen , membrane bioreactor , newtonian fluid , drop (telecommunication) , porosity , chemistry , chromatography , thermodynamics , composite material , mechanical engineering , organic chemistry , biochemistry , physics , mathematics , homotopy , pure mathematics , engineering
Background Oxygen mass transfer is a key parameter for processing aerobic bioreactors in terms of operational costs and efficiency. In membrane bioreactors, a reduction of the aeration capacity is often observed at high solid ratios, caused by the presence of solids and the non‐Newtonian properties of activated sludge . Results The aim of this work is to study how oxygen transfer is impacted when a high porosity packing material is added (free bacteria plus fixed bio‐films). Measurements are performed on a pilot scale ‘hybrid membrane bioReactor ’ ( HMBR ), using clear water, a Newtonian solid suspension and a non‐Newtonian solution. The influence on the oxygen transfer coefficient ( k L a ) of non‐Newtonian properties, the presence of solids, the presence of a packing material and of the air flowrate, are presented. It is observed that the type of fluid used and the presence of a packing material both have a strong influence . Conclusion An important drop in k L a (respectively 53% and 31%) is obtained with the non‐Newtonian solution and the physico‐chemical suspension, compared with water. On the contrary, an enhancement in k L a , up to 46% is observed in the presence of a packing material. The air flow rate has little influence in the range of parameters investigated here. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry