title: A modeling study of fouling development in membrane bioreactors for wastewater treatment.
abstract: Membrane fouling is a primary concern in membrane bioreactors (MBRs) in wastewater treatment because it strongly affects both system stability and economic feasibility. A mathematical model was developed in this study for membrane fouling in submerged MBR systems for wastewater treatment, in which both reversible and irreversible fouling were quantified. While mixed liquor suspended solids are the major components of the reversible fouling layer, dissolved organic matter is thought to be the key foulant, in particular, responsible for the long-term irreversible fouling of the filtration unit. The model was calibrated (parameter identification) with a set of operational data from a pilot MBR and then verified with other independent operational data from the MBR. The good agreement between theoretical predictions and operational data demonstrates that the outlined modeling concept can be successfully applied to describe membrane fouling in submerged MBR systems.
authors.affiliation: Division of Environmental Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore.
authors.forename: Shuang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Lianfa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Guihe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tao
authors.forename: Kiran Arun
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Kekre
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Seah
mesh_terms: D019149:Bioreactors / Q000191:economics; D003198:Computer Simulation; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D005374:Filtration; D008283:Maintenance / Q000379:methods; D008851:Micropore Filters / Q000191:economics; D008954:Models, Biological; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010316:Particle Size; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013997:Time Factors; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D052638:Particulate Matter