Novel magnetically induced membrane vibration (MMV) for fouling control in membrane bioreactors

• Published in: Water research (Oxford) Vol. 46; no. 1; pp. 63 - 72
• Main Authors: Bilad, Muhammad R., Mezohegyi, Gergo, Declerck, Priscilla, Vankelecom, Ivo F.J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Aerobiosis; Applied sciences; Biofouling - prevention & control; Bioreactors; Exact sciences and technology; Filtration; Flux; Fouling; Magnetically induced vibration; Magnetics - instrumentation; Magnetics - methods; Membrane bioreactor; Membrane fouling; Membranes; Membranes, Artificial; Pollution; Shear rate; Strategy; Thermodynamics; Time Factors; Vibration; Waste water; Water treatment and pollution; Membrane bioreactor; Membrane fouling; Magnetically induced vibration; Shear rate; Fouling; Filtration; Vibration; Permeability; Biological purification; Aeration; Membrane reactor; Bioreactor; Waste water purification; Performance; Magnetic field; Interface
• ISSN: 0043-1354; 1879-2448
• DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2011.10.026

Conventional submerged membrane bioreactors (MBRs) rely on the coarse bubbles aeration to generate shear at the liquid–membrane interface to limit membrane fouling. Unfortunately, it is a very energy consuming method, still often resulting in a rapid decrease of membrane permeability and consequently in higher expenses. In this paper, the feasibility of a novel magnetically induced membrane vibration (MMV) system was studied in a lab-scale MBR treating synthetic wastewater. The effects on membrane fouling of applied electrical power of different operation strategies, of membrane flux and of the presence of multiple membranes on one vibrating engine on membrane fouling were investigated. The filtration performance was evaluated by determining the filtration resistance profiles and critical flux. The results showed clear advantages of the vibrating system over conventional MBR processes by ensuring higher fluxes at lower fouling rates. Intermittent vibration was found a promising strategy for both efficient fouling control and significant energy saving. The optimised MMV system is presumed to lead to significant energy and cost reduction in up-scaled MBR operations. [Display omitted] ► A novel magnetic vibrating module (MVM) system was developed. ► The effect of operational parameters was studied. ► MVM showed a promising energy efficient process to limit fouling. ► Long-term operation showed clear advantages of MVM system. ► The MVM system offers high flux and lower degree of fouling.