Treatment of molasses wastewater in a membrane bioreactor: Influence of membrane pore size

• Published in: Separation and purification technology Vol. 78; no. 2; pp. 105 - 112
• Main Authors: Bilad, Muhammad R., Declerck, Priscilla, Piasecka, Anna, Vanysacker, Louise, Yan, Xinxin, Vankelecom, Ivo F.J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier B.V 11.04.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: activated sludge; Applied sciences; biodegradability; Biological and medical sciences; bioreactors; Biotechnology; Chemical engineering; chemical oxygen demand; color; Exact sciences and technology; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General purification processes; Membrane bioreactor; Membrane fouling; Methods. Procedures. Technologies; molasses; Molasses wastewater; nitrogen content; Others; Phase inversion; Pollution; Reactors; scanning electron microscopy; Various methods and equipments; wastewater; Wastewaters; Water treatment and pollution; Phase inversion; Membrane bioreactor; Membrane fouling; Molasses wastewater; Activated sludge; Scanning electron microscopy; Fouling; Biodegradability; Color; Phase reversal; Waste water; Membrane reactor; Bioreactor; Pore size; Batchwise; Chemical oxygen demand; Industrial waste water; Strength
• ISSN: 1383-5866; 1873-3794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2010.12.005

[Display omitted] ► Membrane bioreactor was used to treat molasses containing wastewater. ► More than 80.9%, 90.1%, and 30% of COD, TN and color, respectively, were removed. ► Lower membrane fouling was observed for higher membrane pore size. ► Foulant autopsy showed no significant differences between the sludge and the cake. Due to high chemical oxygen demand (COD) and its low biodegradability, molasses wastewater is usually classified as a high-strength industrial wastewater. The possibility and efficiency of a membrane bioreactor (MBR), containing lab-made membrane modules, in treating molasses containing wastewater was studied. The research was conducted in two phases, namely a first period of fed-batch operation followed by a second with continuous MBR operation. The results showed that more than 80, 90 and 30%, respectively, of the COD, total nitrogen (TN) and color were removed. There was a clear influence of the membrane pore size on trans-membrane pressure (TMP) build-up. Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR) analyses revealed no significant differences in organic constituents between the membrane cake layer and the activated sludge.