Comparative evaluation of ultrafiltration and dynamic membranes in an aerobic membrane bioreactor for municipal wastewater treatment

Abstract

This study investigated the applicability of self-forming hollow fiber dynamic membrane (DM) as a low-cost alternative to ultrafiltration (UF) membrane. A hollow fiber polyester fabric was used as a support material to form the DM layer. Submerged DM and UF hollow fiber membrane were placed in the same reactor in order to compare the treatment and filtration performance of each membrane. Morphological analyses were also carried out for DM surface. The system was operated continuously at a flux of 5 L/m2 h for 85 days. High COD removal efficiency and total suspended solids (TSS) rejection were achieved by the DM. Transmembrane pressure (TMP) of the DM was higher in comparison to the UF membrane, which was related with the formation of cake layer in DM. DM technology can be used as an alternative to UF membrane for municipal wastewater treatment.