An Assessment of the Effects of Microbial Products on the Specific Oxygen Uptake in Submerged Membrane Bioreactor

Authors: M. F. R. Zuthi, H. H. Ngo, W. S. Guo, S. S. Chen, N. C. Nguyen, L. J. Deng, T. D. C. Tran

Abstract:

Sustaining a desired rate of oxygen transfer for microbial activity is a matter of major concern for biological wastewater treatment (MBR). The study reported in the paper was aimed at assessing the effects of microbial products on the specific oxygen uptake rate (SOUR) in a conventional membrane bioreactor (CMBR) and that in a sponge submerged MBR (SSMBR). The production and progressive accumulation of soluble microbial products (SMP) and bound-extracellular polymeric substances (bEPS) were affecting the SOUR of the microorganisms which varied at different stages of operation of the MBR systems depending on the variable concentrations of the SMP/bEPS. The effect of bEPS on the SOUR was stronger in the SSMBR compared to that of the SMP, while relative high concentrations of SMP had adverse effects on the SOUR of the CMBR system. Of the different mathematical correlations analyzed in the study, logarithmic mathematical correlations could be established between SOUR and bEPS in SSMBR, and similar correlations could also be found between SOUR and SMP concentrations in the CMBR.

Keywords: Microbial products, Microbial activity, Specific oxygen uptake rate, Membrane bioreactor.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1090683

References:

[1] D. D. Trapani, M. Capodici, A. Cosenza, G. D. Bella, G. Mannina, M. Torregrossa, and G. Viviani, "Evaluation of biomass activity and wastewater characterization in a UCT-MBR pilot plant by means of respirometric techniques,” Desalination, vol. 269, pp. 190-197, 2011.
[2] C. G. Silvan, J. Arevalo, J. Perez, J. G. Lopez, and B. Rodelas," Linking hydrolytic activities to variables influencing a submerged membrane bioreactor(MBR) treating urban wastewater under real operating conditions,” Water Research, vol. 47, pp. 66–78, 2013.
[3] H. Hasar, C. Kinaci, and A. Unli, "Viability of microbial mass in a submerged membrane bioreactor,” Desalination, vol. 150, pp. 263-268, 2002.
[4] L. Clouzot, N. Roche, and B. Marrot,"Effect of membrane bioreactor configurations on sludge structure and microbial activity,” Bioresource Technology, vol. 102, pp 975-981, 2011.
[5] S. Malamis, A. Andreadakis, D. Mamais, and C. Noutsopoulos, "Investigation of long-term operation and biomass activity in a membrane bioreactor system,” Water Science and Technology, vol. 63.9, pp. 1906-1912, 2011.
[6] E. Germain, F. Nelles, A. Drews, P. Pearce, M. Kraume, E. Reid, S. Judd, and T. Stephenson, "Biomass effects on oxygen transfer in membrane Bioreactors,” Water Research, vol. 41, pp.1038 –1044, 2007.
[7] J. Chuboda, "Inhibitory effect of refractory organic compounds produced by activated sludge micro-organisms on microbial activity and flocculation,” Water Research, vol. 19, pp. 197-200, 1984.
[8] X. Huang, R. Liu, and Y. Qian, "Behaviour of soluble microbial products in a membrane bioreactor” Process Biochemistry, vol. 36, pp. 401–406, 2000.
[9] J. A. Muller, W, C. Boyle, and H. J. Popel, "Aeration: Principles and Practice,” CRC Press, Boca Raton, USA, 2002.
[10] A. Kim, C. Lee, and I. Chang, "Effect of pump shear on the performance of a crossflow membrane bioreactor,” Water Research, vol. 35, pp. 2137-2144, 2001.
[11] W. S. Guo, H. H. Ngo, S. Vigneswaran, W. Xing, and P. Goteti, "A novel sponge-submerged membrane bioreactor (SSMBR) for wastewater treatment and reuse,” Separation Science and Technology, vol. 43, pp. 273–285, 2008.
[12] W. Lee, S. Kang, and H. Shin, "Sludge characteristics and their contribution to microfiltration in submerged membrane bioreactors,” Journal of Membrane Science, vol. 216, pp. 217–227, 2003.
[13] B. Frolund, R. Palmgren, K. Keiding, and P. H. Nielsen," Extraction of extracellular polymers from activated sludge using cation exchange resin,” Water Research, vol. 30, pp. 1749-1758, 1996.
[14] A. F. Gaudy, "Colorimetric determination of protein and carbohydrate,” Indus. Wat. Wastes, vol. 7, 17-22, 1962.
[15] APHA., AWWA., WEF., "Standard Methods for the examination of Water and Wastewater,” 20th edition, American Public Health Association, 1998.
[16] M. E. H. Rojas, R. V. Kaam, S. Schetrite, and C. Albasi,"Role and variations of supernatant compounds in submerged membrane bioreactor,” Desalination, vol.179, pp. 95-107, 2005.