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Pilot Demonstration of Energy‐Efficient Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) Using Reciprocating Submerged Membrane
Author(s) -
Ho Jaeho,
Smith Shaleena,
Patamasank Jaren,
Tontcheva Petia,
Kim Gyu Dong,
Roh Hyung Keun
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
water environment research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.356
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1554-7531
pISSN - 1061-4303
DOI - 10.2175/106143015x14212658613280
Subject(s) - membrane bioreactor , membrane fouling , fouling , membrane , hollow fiber membrane , reuse , waste management , reciprocating motion , energy consumption , filtration (mathematics) , environmental engineering , bioreactor , environmental science , wastewater , process engineering , engineering , chemistry , mechanical engineering , biochemistry , electrical engineering , statistics , mathematics , organic chemistry , gas compressor
Membrane bioreactor (MBR) is becoming popular for advanced wastewater treatment and water reuse. Air scouring to “shake” the membrane fibers is most suitable and applicable to maintain filtration without severe and rapid fouling. However, membrane fouling mitigating technologies are energy intensive. The goal of this research is to develop an alternative energy‐saving MBR system to reduce energy consumption; a revolutionary system that will directly compete with air scouring technologies currently in the membrane water reuse market. The innovative MBR system, called reciprocation MBR (rMBR), prevents membrane fouling without the use of air scouring blowers. The mechanism featured is a mechanical reciprocating membrane frame that uses inertia to prevent fouling. Direct strong agitation of the fiber is also beneficial for the constant removal of solids built up on the membrane surface. The rMBR pilot consumes less energy than conventional coarse air scouring MBR systems. Specific energy consumption for membrane reciprocation for the pilot rMBR system was 0.072 kWh/m 3 permeate produced at 40 LMH, which is 75% less than the conventional air scouring in an MBR system (0.29 kWh/m 3 ). Reciprocation of the hollow‐fiber membrane can overcome the hydrodynamic limitations of air scouring or cross‐flow membrane systems with less energy consumption and/or higher energy efficiency.