A novel loosely structured nanofiltration membrane bioreactor for wastewater treatment: Process performance and membrane fouling

A novel nanofiltration membrane bioreactor (NF-MBR) was constructed by integrating a loosely structured hollow fiber into an aerobic activated sludge system. In order to verify the feasibility of loose NF bioreactor, parallel experiments conventional ultrafiltration (UF-MBR) and NF-MBR were conducted investigate process performances, fouling characteristics. The showed relatively high permeability at level around 10 L m-2 h-1 bar-1 (flux 2.0 h-1) under low operation pressure (10–30 KPa). results that achieved higher removal efficiency chemical oxygen demand (CODCr) dissolved organic carbon (DOC) due rejection for biopolymers part humic substances. During long term in NF-MBR, displayed salt rejection, resulting no obvious salts accumulation comparison with UF-MBR. average rising rates TMP 0.16 KPa/day, which twice lower than mechanism reversible cake dominant both UF membranes, while small pore size mitigated irreversible blockage. Further biofouling layer analysis demonstrated substances, polysaccharides proteins main foulants. energy consumption revealed had comparable total compared outcomes this study show provide great potential as advanced wastewater treatment.