Hanced biological phosphorus removal in membrane bioreactors.
Enhanced biological phosphorus removal (Bio-P) in a membrane bioreactor (MBR) promises several advantages but was never attempted as not compatible with high sludge ages. This article includes description and results of bench-scale investigations on Bio-P removal in an MBR. An MBR bench-scale plant (210 L) was operated in parallel to a conventional WWTP under comparable process conditions. The results show that Bio-P removal is possible in MBR. The effluent qualities of the plants were comparable. The effluent P-concentration was always lower than 0.2 mg P(T)/L. In the MBR bench-scale plant P-uptake occurred mainly in the anoxic zone. Investigations with P-spiking showed higher Bio-P potential as P-removal increased up to 20-25 mg/L while P/TS rose up to >6%.
D019149:Bioreactors; D005374:Filtration; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012722:Sewage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods
D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D012722:Sewage; D010758:Phosphorus