Experimental Study and Modeling of Fouling in Immersed Membrane Bioreactor Operating in Constant Pressure Filtration

A new mathematical model is proposed based on filtration mechanisms for the prediction of fouling in airlift immersed membrane bioreactors (iMBRs). The cake formation on the membrane surface through constant pressure filtration process in the iMBR was explained by a proposed cake filtration mechanism which assumes that no particle enters the pores when forming the cake layer on the membrane surface. The cake porosity reduction due to diffusion of particles was described by an intermediate blocking mechanism. Experimental study of fouling was also performed in a lab-scale airlift flat-sheet iMBR operating at constant vacuum. The mixed liquor suspended solid (MLSS) concentration was changed within the range of 5000 to 15000 mg/L, while the superficial air velocity was varied between 32 and 128 m 3 /m 2 /h. The presented model includes two parameters, that is, ultimate filtration resistance and initial rate of cake formation. The effect of the MLSS concentration and superficial air velocity on the parameters of the proposed model was studied. The results obtained from the model demonstrated that the ultimate filtration resistance and the initial rate of cake formation are more sensitive to the aeration rate at lower superficial velocities. It was also shown that the ultimate filtration resistance has a linear relation with MLSS concentration. A good agreement exists between the results of the model and the experimental data. The proposed model also showed a better compatibility with the experimental data compared to other fouling models available in the literature.