title: Influence of diatomite addition on membrane fouling and performance in a submerged membrane bioreactor.
abstract: This paper examined the effect of diatomite addition on membrane fouling and process performance in an anoxic/oxic submerged membrane bioreactor (A/O MBR). Particle size distribution, molecular weight distribution and microbial activity have been investigated to characterize the sludge mixed liquor. Results show that diatomite addition is a reliable and effective approach in terms of both membrane fouling mitigation and pollutants removal improvement. The MBR system with diatomite addition of 50 mg/L enhanced the removal of COD, TN and TP by 0.9%, 6.9% and 31.2%, respectively, as compared to the control MBR (without diatomite addition). The NH(4)-N removal always maintained at a high level of over 98% irrespective of diatomite addition. Due to the hybrid effect of adsorption and co-precipitation on fine colloids and dissolved organic matter (DOM) from the addition of diatomite, a reduction in foulants amount, an increase in microbial floc size and an improvement in sludge settleability have been achieved simultaneously. As a result, the membrane fouling rate was mitigated successfully.
authors.affiliation: School of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, PR China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Li
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Hai-Liang
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Ji-Lai
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Da-Fang
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cheng
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D057219:Biofouling; D019149:Bioreactors / Q000382:microbiology / Q000592:standards*; D007692:Diatomaceous Earth / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010316:Particle Size; D011312:Pressure; D014835:Volatilization; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D007692:Diatomaceous Earth; C033787:diatomite