Begoña Moreno

Applicability of the Sludge Biotic Index (SBI) for MBR activated sludge control.

In 1994, Madoni created the Sludge Biotic Index (SBI) based on the presence and abundance of certain key protozoan groups. The use of this index has become increasingly common in wastewater treatment plant control and its applicability has been demonstrated. In this study, we applied the SBI index to a pilot-scale membrane bioreactor equipped with polyvinylidenefluoride hollow fibre membranes (0.04 microm pore size). Two different sludge retention times (SRT)--25 and 35 days--were assayed, with a constant hydraulic retention time of 30h. Operational conditions for MBR cause the fragmentation of flocs which are broken down into small dissipated elements with abundant dispersed bacteria. This process determines protozoan composition and colonization of the activated sludge. Results of the experiment showed a constant predominance of small flagellates, carnivorous ciliated protozoa and rotifers, above all in assays with 35-day SRT, independently of effluent quality. However, continuous changes in microbiota were observed, with a clear tendency for the SBI to increase over time as the sludge became more stable. Therefore, although it was not possible to establish an association between SBI and effluent quality for MBR activated sludge, the stabilisation of the process may be related to SBI.

Effect of the mixed liquor suspended solid on permeate in a membrane bioreactor system applied for the treatment of sewage mixed with wastewater of the milk from the dairy industry.

The performance of a bench-scale submerged membrane bioreactor (MBR) equipped with ultrafiltration membranes (ZENON) was investigated at different mixed liquor suspended solid (MLSS) concentrations (3069, 4314 and 6204 mg/L). The pilot plant was located in the wastewater treatment plant of the city of Granada (Puente de los Vados, Granada, Spain), which receives the wastewater of the milk from the dairy industry of Granada. The results showed the capacity of the MBR systems to remove organic material (COD and BOD5), suspended solids, turbidity, color and microbial indicators such as E. coli and coliphages. Therefore, the results suggest that the transmembrane pressure (TMP) was influence by the MLSS concentration assayed. However, an increase in the MLSS concentration increases the nitrification processes and consequently the amount of NO3 − in permeate.

Potabilization of low NOM reservoir water by ultrafiltration spiral wound membranes

Membrane technologies such as ultrafiltration offer an interesting alternative to integral treatment of surface water destined for human consumption. With this in mind, a pilot-scale ultrafiltration module was set up, equipped with spiral-wound polyethersulphone membranes (16.6m(2)) with an effective pore size of 0.05 microm. The system operated continuously with a stable production of 0.9 m(3)/h (54 lmh) and a constant transmembrane pressure of -0.2 bar. The effluent obtained showed a total absence of faecal contamination indicators of both bacterial and viral origin, and also presented an excellent physico-chemical quality, independently of the quality of influent. Total aerobic bacteria counts revealed the problem of bacterial contamination in the membrane permeate zone, which could be controlled through daily chemical cleansing of the membrane. The chief problem presented by this type of system, applied as exclusive treatment, is low effectiveness in the retention of natural organic matter (NOM), in which respect the quality of the effluent was observed to depend on the quality of influent. This constitutes the principal limitation for applying the system to surface water due to the risk of disinfection by-products formation during the final post-chlorination. However, spiral wound ultrafiltration (SWUF) membranes could be used for low NOM reservoir water total treatment offering several advantages over conventional technologies.

Influence of velocity gradient in a hydraulic flocculator on NOM removal by aerated spiral-wound ultrafiltration membranes (ASWUF).

A hydraulic coagulation-flocculation processes combined with aerated spiral-wound ultrafiltration membranes (ASWUF) was designed with the objective of improving natural organic matter (NOM) removal by ASWUF in the treatment of water for human consumption. The pilot-scale experimental system had capacity for treating 0.9 m(3)/h. Dosage of Cl(3)Fe as coagulant and hydraulic retention time (HRT) were calculated to generate microflocculation and different velocity gradients (G=27, 47, 87 and 104 s(-1)) were applied in the hydraulic flocculator. Operating alone, the ASWUF system achieved an NOM removal performance of 39% without problems of membrane clogging, although there was a significant correlation between effluent and influent quality. Application of microflocculation achieved considerable improvement in NOM removal, but values of G< or =87 s(-1) resulted in rapid clogging of the membrane due to flocs disintegration in the aerated membrane tank. Particle analysis revealed that the reduction of the velocity gradient had the effect of inclining the particle size distribution towards larger sizes, affecting both NOM removal capacity and membrane clogging. For G=104 s(-1) an NOM removal yield of 90% was reached, while transmembrane pressure (TMP) was stabilised as a result of the control of membrane clogging.

Evolution of filamentous bacteria during urban wastewater treatment by MBR

Evolution of filamentous bacteria in two full-scale experimental MBR systems (microfiltration and ultrafiltration) was studied during two years. Sludge Retention Time (SRT) and Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT) were modified and acted as variables, together with temperature and variation in loading. With SRT values between 20 and 35 d and HRT between 31 and 40 h, both MBR systems presented a high density of filamentous bacteria, according to the Filamentous Index (FI) and Simplified Technique of Filamentous Count (STFC). Highest density was achieved when contaminant loads were high and temperature was low. However, the elevated presence of filamentous bacteria did not affect the quality of effluent or the permeability of the membranes. Nocardioform bacteria showed a high degree of adaptation to the characteristics of the system. Predominance of Nocardioforms gave rise to isolated episodes of massive growth at temperatures between 15 and 20°C, which in turn caused episodes of intense foaming whose most significant consequence was a loss in biomass, leading to a slight increase in transmembrane pressure. In the light of these results, FI and STFC should not be considered as suitable tools for predicting operational problems deriving from filamentous bacteria in MBR systems, which could be prevented through identification.

Removal performance of heavy metals in MBR systems and their influence in water reuse

The removal performance of heavy metals by two experimental full-scale membrane bioreactors (microfiltration and ultrafiltration) and the influence of activated sludge total suspended solid (TSS) concentration were studied under real operational conditions. Influent and effluent Be, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Cd, Ba, Sn, Sb, Pb and U concentrations were analysed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. An average contamination rate for most of the analysed heavy metals was observed in raw wastewater, resulting in effluents without limitation for reuse in agricultural destinations according to Spanish law. Removal efficiencies up to 80% were obtained regardless of whether microfiltration or ultrafiltration membranes were used, except for As, Mo and Sb. The removal yields of different heavy metals can be strengthened by increasing the activated sludge TSS concentration, mainly at concentrations above 10 g/L.

Removal of low concentrations of phenanthrene, fluoranthene and pyrene from urban wastewater by membrane bioreactors technology

The fate and removal of phenanthrene (Phen), fluoranthene (F) and pyrene (Py) in urban wastewater treatment by membrane bioreactor (MBR) with low influent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentration were studied. A full experimental ultrafiltration MBR with a pre-denitrification configuration and capacity to treat 20 m3/d was employed. The system was operated with real urban wastewater, to which a concentration of PAHs was added. A constant purge was achieved in order to obtain 12 d of sludge retention time and the hydraulic retention time was 34 h. Concentration of PAHs was determined by Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry with Twister, and mass balance on the MBR system were calculated. Data were supplemented by respirometric analyses, isolation of PAHs degrading microorganisms and bench-scale experiments. All effluent samples presented concentrations of PAHs, with removal levels of 91% and 92% for F and Py respectively, while for Phen performance did not surpass 82%. In spite of the high hydrophobicity of the tested compounds, their accumulation in the biomass was scarce and the sludge presented a low PAH concentration. The experiments reveal that PAHs removal is mainly due to air stripping, with biodegradation and adsorption making an insignificant contribution.