Development of a control algorithm for air‐scour reduction in membrane bioreactors for wastewater treatment

Abstract

AbstractBACKGROUND: Membrane bioreactors are used in an increasing number of wastewater treatment facilities because of their compactness and efficiency in solid‐liquid separation, but energy requirements are still higher than other competitive technologies such as conventional activated sludge.RESULTS: In this paper the development of an air‐scour control algorithm based on short‐term and long‐term membrane permeability evolution is presented. An open loop calibration and partial validation was carried out in a semi‐industrial scale pilot plant where manual changes in air‐scour flow had been previously carried out. The control system was successfully tested in closed loop in an industrial scale pilot plant, defining a maximum daily air‐scour decrease or increase of 6% of the air‐scour recommended by membranes suppliers. An average air‐scour saving of 13% and a maximum of 20%, calculated in terms of air flow saved, were achieved during the validation test without any apparent long‐term effect on membrane permeability.CONCLUSION: It was proven that the air‐scour control system is an important tool capable of reducing operational costs in MBR systems. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry