Effect of sequencing batch reactor (SBR)/granular activated carbon (GAC) bed and membrane hybrid system for simultaneous water reuse and membrane fouling mitigation

Abstract

The objectives of this study are to assess the potential of an activated and granular sludge (AS and GS) sequencing batch reactor (SBR)/granular activated carbon (GAC) coupled with a membrane for achieving reclamation and reuse of real mixed wastewater and to evaluate the feasibility of the configured systems for achieving membrane fouling mitigation. A better performance of membrane filtration (MF) having lower membrane fouling was observed at both higher agitation velocity and lower permeate flux. Despite a twice shorter hydraulic retention time (HRT) than that of the AS-SBR/MF configured system, the performances of the GS-SBR/MF system without and with a GAC bed as a pretreatment for the MF process achieved higher efficiencies than those of the AS-SBR system for organics and nutrient removal and higher flux in the MF. The addition of a GAC filter after SBR processes was more effective in mitigating membrane fouling due to effective foulant removal. These results indicate that the GS-SBR as an alternative process for the AS-SBR or the addition of a GAC bed after the SBR process is needed to obtain the reusable water with good quality and to improve the fouling rate and filtration time of the MF process.

Membranes in Water Reclamation: Treatment, Reuse and Concentrate Management

“…The use of GAC as a pretreatment to a granular sludge sequencing batch reactor (GS-SBR)/MF system demonstrated improved performance of the MF membrane with reduced membrane fouling. Additionally, significant removals of organics and nutrients were observed, ranging from 27.3% to 32.1% [ 43 ]. In another study involving synthetic wastewater containing syntan with an initial concentration of 500 mg/L, a GAC column packed with 58 g of GAC achieved the removal of 55–70% of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) at a low filtration velocity of 0.5 m/h [ 44 ].…”

Review of SBR process in effluent treatment

“…Yang Huimin [16] and others add accel to SBR tank, which can significantly improve the activity of microorganisms in the environment, accelerate the microbial treatment of pollutants, and increase the treatment load of the reaction tank. Li Hengyu [17] and others explored the influence of granular activated carbon bed and membrane mixing system on SBR reactor. Shenyang Institute of Environmental Sciences [18] has designed a new patent.…”