The granular sludge membrane bioreactor: A new tool to enhance Anammox performance and alleviate membrane fouling

• Published in: Biochemical engineering journal Vol. 187; p. 108628
• Main Authors: Xing, Fanghua, Wang, Tao, Yun, Hongying, Wang, Xian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.11.2022
• Subjects: Anammox; GSMBR; Membrane fouling; Start-up and operation; Anammox; Start-up and operation; Membrane fouling; GSMBR
• ISSN: 1369-703X; 1873-295X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2022.108628

Anammox process has be widely concerned as a novel biological nitrogen removal technology because of reduced operating costs and environmental friendliness. However, the long start-up time and operational instability of Anammox process has hindered its wide applications. A new-type hybrid granular sludge membrane bioreactor (GSMBR) combining sludge granulation with membrane filtration was developed for accelerating start-up of Anammox process and stabilizing its operation as well as alleviating the membrane fouling. Anammox start-up period was shortened to 43 days, the maximum nitrogen removing rate and efficiency reached 0.83 kg N m−3 d−1 and 97 % respectively on 115 d. Moreover, the membrane fouling is relatively light. The maximum transmembrane pressure only reached 32 kPa on 115 d, when there were still several visible micropores and channels on the fouled membrane surface. The mature brownish-red Anammox granular sludge mostly sized at 0.5–1.0 mm. The specific population shift from norank Alphaproteobacteria to Candidatus Brocadia was found. Three Anammox species were present in the mature sludge and uncultured Candidatus Brocadia sp. was the predominated bacteria. GSMBR was proven to be a robust reactor for enhancing Anammox performance. This study was helpful to promote the engineering applications of Anammox process in treating the high-strength nitrogenous wastewaters. [Display omitted] •A novel granular sludge membrane bioreactor was developed for the Anammox process.•The rapid start-up of the Anammox process was realized within 43 days.•The mature brownish-red Anammox granular sludge mostly sized at 0.5–1.0 mm.•The specific shift from norank Alphaproteobacteria to Candidatus Brocadia was found.•The maximum transmembrane pressure only reached 32 kPa after 115 days operation.