title: Anaerobic treatment of brewery wastewater with an internal membrane bioreactor.
abstract: Anaerobic treatment is growing very popular these days because of low sludge production compared to activated sludge processes. The drawback of the process is the risk of sludge washout, especially when the formation of granular sludge is not expected. By using an internal anaerobic bioreactor this problem can be overcome. A lab scale internal anaerobic membrane bioreactor was operated at SEGHERSbetter technology for Water N.V. to which brewery wastewater was fed (COD=2300 mg/l). Hollow fibres were inserted into the anaerobic bioreactor, from which the effluent was extracted by underpressure. The COD-removal was excellent and very constant at a value of 95%. No suspended solids were present in the effluent. The membrane permeability stabilised at relatively low value of 18 l/m2.h.bar due to an irreversible adhesion of constituents in the bioreactor. No growth of biomass was found during two months of operation. Inocculated granular sludge fell apart into loose flocs within several weeks of the startup, not affecting biological performance. The internal anaerobic membrane bioreactor is a promising new area within the field of wastewater treatment. It is expected that this process will have an important future.
authors.affiliation: SEGHERS better technology for Water n.v., Grote baan 63, B-3150 Wespelaar, Belgium.
authors.forename: E R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Cornelissen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: van Buggenhout
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: van Ermen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Smedt
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Impe
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Koning
mesh_terms: D000693:Anaerobiosis; D001515:Beer; D001530:Belgium; D019149:Bioreactors; D007220:Industrial Waste; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D012722:Sewage; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid
chemical_list: D007220:Industrial Waste; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D012722:Sewage