title: Filtration characterization method as tool to assess membrane bioreactor sludge filterability-the delft experience.
abstract: Prevention and removal of fouling is often the most energy intensive process in Membrane Bioreactors (MBRs), responsible for 40% to 50% of the total specific energy consumed in submerged MBRs. In the past decade, methods were developed to quantify and qualify fouling, aiming to support optimization in MBR operation. Therefore, there is a need for an evaluation of the lessons learned and how to proceed. In this article, five different methods for measuring MBR activated sludge filterability and critical flux are described, commented and evaluated. Both parameters characterize the fouling potential in full-scale MBRs. The article focuses on the Delft Filtration Characterization method (DFCm) as a convenient tool to characterize sludge properties, namely on data processing, accuracy, reproducibility, reliability, and applicability, defining the boundaries of the DFCm. Significant progress was made concerning fouling measurements in particular by using straight forward approaches focusing on the applicability of the obtained results. Nevertheless, a fouling measurement method is still to be defined which is capable of being unequivocal, concerning the fouling parameters definitions; practical and simple, in terms of set-up and operation; broad and useful, in terms of obtained results. A step forward would be the standardization of the aforementioned method to assess the sludge filtration quality.
authors: Department of Water Management, Delft University of Technology, P.O. Box 5048, Delft 2600 GA, The Netherlands. m.lousadaferreira@tudelft.nl.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Lousada-Ferreira
authors: Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Section Water Supply and Sanitation Technology, Gaustadalléen 21, Oslo N-0349, Norway. pawel.krzeminski@niva.no.
authors: Pawel
authors: P
authors: Krzeminski
authors: Waterboard Hollandse Delta, P.O. Box 4103, Ridderkerk 2980 GC, The Netherlands. s.geilvoet@wshd.nl.
authors: Stefan
authors: S
authors: Geilvoet
authors: Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies, 12 Clematis Ave, Waltham, MA 02453, USA. adrien.moreau@veolia.com.
authors: Adrien
authors: A
authors: Moreau
authors: Grundfos BioBooster A/S, Randersvej 22a, Langå DK-8870, Denmark. josean.gil@grundfos.com.
authors: Jose A
authors: JA
authors: Gil
authors: Waterboard Groot Salland, P.O. Box 60, Zwolle 8000 AB, The Netherlands. hevenblij@wgs.nl.
authors: Herman
authors: H
authors: Evenblij
authors: Department of Water Management, Delft University of Technology, P.O. Box 5048, Delft 2600 GA, The Netherlands. j.b.vanlier@tudelft.nl.
authors: Jules B
authors: JB
authors: van Lier
authors: Witteveen+Bos, van Twickelostraat 2, P.O. Box 233, Deventer 7400 AE, The Netherlands. j.vdgraaf@witteveenbos.nl.
authors: Jaap H J M
authors: JH
authors: van der Graaf