title: The impact of different operating conditions on membrane fouling and EPS production.
abstract: The main goal of this research was to investigate how different factors influence membrane fouling. The impact of the different concentrations of activated sludge and the amount of extracellular polymer substances (EPS) were monitored. Two pilot plants with submerged membrane modules (hollow fiber and flat sheet) were operated and the raw wastewater was used. Humic substances were identified as the major components of EPS in the activated sludge (more than 34%) in both pilot plants. As the basic constituent in permeate, humic substances were identified as the most dominant components in the effluent (61%) in both pilot plants. Conversely, proteins were mostly analyzed in permeate and supernatant below the detection limit. The total amount of EPS [mgg(-1) (VSS)] was similar for concentrations of activated sludge 6, 10 and 14 g L(-1). Carbohydrates were identified as the component of EPS which tends most to clog membranes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Water Technology and Environmental Engineering, Institute of Chemical Technology, Prague, Technická 5, 166 28 Prague 6 - Dejvice, Czech Republic. lukas.dvorak@vscht.cz
authors.forename: Lukáš
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dvořák
authors.forename: Marcel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gómez
authors.forename: Markéta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dvořáková
authors.forename: Iveta
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Růžičková
authors.forename: Jiří
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wanner
mesh_terms: D057219:Biofouling; D057919:Biological Oxygen Demand Analysis; D001704:Biopolymers / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000737:chemistry*; D007700:Kinetics; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011312:Pressure; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D012995:Solubility; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D001704:Biopolymers; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds