Optimization of full-scale membrane bioreactors for wastewater treatment through a model-based approach

Despite the high number of advantages of membrane bioreactors (MBR), operational costs still remain as one of the main obstacles of this technology. In that sense, a full-scale MBR was studied in order to explore and identify viable optimization strategies for improving effluent quality and reducing...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Gabarrón Fernández, Sara, Dalmau Figueras, Montserrat, Porro, Jose, Rodríguez-Roda Layret, Ignasi, Comas Matas, Joaquim
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2015
País:España
Institución:Varias* (Consorci de Biblioteques Universitáries de Catalunya, Centre de Serveis Científics i Acadèmics de Catalunya)
Repositorio:Recercat. Dipósit de la Recerca de Catalunya
OAI Identifier:oai:recercat.cat:10256/13273
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10256/13273
Access Level:acceso embargado
Palabra clave:Bioreactors
Reactors de membrana
Membrane reactors
Aigües residuals -- Depuració -- Tractament biològic
Sewage -- Purification -- Biological treatment
Descripción
Sumario:Despite the high number of advantages of membrane bioreactors (MBR), operational costs still remain as one of the main obstacles of this technology. In that sense, a full-scale MBR was studied in order to explore and identify viable optimization strategies for improving effluent quality and reducing operational costs through a model-based approach. Opportunities for optimization strategies, identified through the initial experimental phase, were focused on improving the nitrogen removal efficiencies and reducing the aeration energy costs through the aerobic DO set point and recirculation modifications. A mechanistic model was developed to reproduce the operation of the full-scale MBR and predict the effects of the optimization actions. Moreover, a qualitative risk model was also applied to ensure that the DO set point reduction did not negatively affect the microbiology of the activated sludge. The best viable control scenario was identified and then tested in the full-scale MBR. The results achieved maximum improvements on the nitrogen removal efficiencies of 27% and reduction on the aeration energy (7%) without affecting the sludge properties or the filtration performance. The model approached proved in this study and the optimization strategies identified can be generalized for municipal MBRs