title: Crossing the Border between Laboratory and Field: Bacterial Quorum Quenching for Anti-Biofouling Strategy in an MBR.
abstract: Quorum quenching (QQ) has recently been acknowledged to be a sustainable antifouling strategy and has been investigated widely using lab-scale membrane bioreactor (MBR) systems. This study attempted to bring this QQ-MBR closer to potential practical application. Two types of pilot-scale QQ-MBRs with QQ bacteria entrapping beads (QQ-beads) were installed and run at a wastewater treatment plant, feeding real municipal wastewater to test the systems' effectiveness for membrane fouling control and thus the amount of energy savings, even under harsh environmental conditions. The rate of transmembrane pressure (TMP) build-up was significantly mitigated in QQ-MBR compared to that in a conventional-MBR. Consequently, QQ-MBR can substantially reduce energy consumption by reducing coarse bubble aeration without compromising the effluent water quality. The addition of QQ-beads to a conventional MBR substantially affected the EPS concentrations, as well as microbial floc size in the mixed liquor. Furthermore, the QQ activity and mechanical stability of QQ-beads were well maintained for at least four months, indicating QQ-MBR has good potential for practical applications.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University , Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seonki
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Hanwha Engineering and Construction , 76, Gajeong-Ro, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon 305-804, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seung-Kook
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University , Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyeokpil
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University , Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Hyun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University , Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kibaek
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University , Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Chang Hyun
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Nahm
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University , Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sung Jun
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Jo
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University , Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun-Suk
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Engineering, Yonsei University , Wonju, 220-710, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Pyung-Kyu
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Engineering, Kyungpook National University , Daegu, 702-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kwang-Ho
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Choo
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University , Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Chung-Hak
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Hanwha Engineering and Construction , 76, Gajeong-Ro, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon 305-804, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Taewoo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yi
mesh_terms: D000332:Aerobiosis; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D057219:Biofouling; D019149:Bioreactors / Q000382:microbiology*; D005427:Flocculation; D007753:Laboratories; D008566:Membranes; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000378:metabolism; D011312:Pressure; D053038:Quorum Sensing; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D062065:Wastewater
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial; D062065:Wastewater