Impacts and mechanism of total organic sulfur in extracellular polymeric substances on fouling of the anaerobic self-forming dynamic membrane bioreactor

Abstract

A side-stream cross-flow anaerobic self-forming dynamic membrane bioreactor (AnSFDMBR) connected with an up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor was used to replace the UASB and middle settling tank in sulfate reduction, autotrophic denitrification, and nitrification integrated (SANI) process. To reduce the water and energy consumption for AnSFDMBR backwashing, the optimum condition of trans-membrane pressure (TMP)-based backwashing were investigated under sequential batch operations. Based on the optimum condition, a lab-scale AnSFDMBR was operated continuously for 243 days without a drop in flux, with good effluent quality. In the sequential batch operation study, AnSFDMBR showed no significant accumulation of total extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) during 40 days of operation without backwashing. Polysaccharides slightly accumulated in the dynamic layer regardless of the final TMP and operation duration, indicating that TMP-based backwashing is suitable for the studied AnSFDMBR system. In long-term operation with TMP-based backwashing, total EPSs in dynamic layer to sludge ratio dramatically dropped during the fouling phase. According to the evaluation of total organic sulfur (TOS) in dynamic layer and mesh EPSs, it was found that TOS, mainly poly-sulfur generated in UASB reactor, played a critical role in fouling in saline wastewater treatment. TOS deposited on the mesh over 40% by weight of the total EPS in the fouling phase clearly led to system fouling. Additional sequential batch operations with different seawater percentages (%V/V) (control, 10%, 20%, 30% and 50%) demonstrated that the TOS accumulation on the mesh increased with time and salinity which also aligned with the long-term operation.