A review towards finding a simplified approach for modelling the kinetics of the soluble microbial products (SMP) in an integrated mathematical model of membrane bioreactor (MBR)

Abstract

Soluble microbial products (SMPs) tend to accumulate in the membrane bioreactor (MBR) systems as a consequence of high membrane rejection and apparently low biodegradability within the wastewater treatment system. The extension of the activated sludge models (ASMs) with SMPs, therefore, has received crucial importance in recent days, particularly considering their potential use as indicators of the membrane fouling propensity. This paper presents a critical review of the formation and degradation kinetics of SMP subdivisions that have so far been used for the mathematical modelling of MBR. The paper identified a simplified approach to incorporate the kinetics of the SMP formation and degradation in the general mathematical models of MBR. It suggested that the inclusion of only four additional linear differential equations in the ASM1-SMP integrated mathematical model could simulate well the effluent quality and membrane fouling prediction. The model would also serve as a useful tool in optimizing operation conditions for better treatability and fouling control.

Membrane bioreactors – A review on recent developments in energy reduction, fouling control, novel configurations, LCA and market prospects

“…Space limitations were also of importance in retrofitting Henriksdal WWTP, which is located underground in the centre of Stockholm inside a rock. Therefore, to avoid the challenge of laborious and expansive works in the rock structure, MBR was selected for the retrofit and upgrade 5 . The increase in land price will favour MBR development since such systems require much less space than CAS.…”

“…These R&D efforts and continuous interest in MBR technology has led to an increased number of academic publications and MBR-related reviews in the recent years. Current reviews focused on aspects, such as fouling characterization, visualization and foulants identification [1,2], modelling [3][4][5], membrane cleaning [6], addition of activated carbon [7], fouling control [8], process monitoring [9], osmotic MBRs [10][11][12], removal of pharmaceutical compounds/CECs [13] and treatment of industrial wastewaters [14,15]. However, recent developments often resulting in novel configurations or focused on aspects related to energy reduction has attracted little attention.…”

The fouling phenomenon in membrane bioreactors: Assessment of different strategies for energy saving

“…Among the published integrated models only a few models take into account the relationships between the reversible fouling (i.e., cake layer) and the biological processes (among others, [15][16][17]). Recently Zuthi et al [60] addressed the importance of using integrated modeling approach with the use of resistance-in-series models to better simulate the membrane fouling, as physical mechanisms of membrane play a vital role.…”

Impact of reactor configurations on the performance of a granular anaerobic membrane bioreactor for municipal wastewater treatment

“…EPS clog the membrane pores, accelerating the formation of a strongly attached fouling layer on the membrane surface due to their multiple functions including cell aggregation, formation of a protective barrier and retention of water and adhesion to surfaces (Salazar-Pelaez et al, 2011a;Sun et al, 2016). On the other hand, accumulation of SMP in the pores and/or on the membrane surface causes pores blockage and a gel layer formation, limiting membrane permeability (Deng et al, 2014;Zuthi et al, 2013).…”