Abstract

The performance of a pilot scale anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR), comprising an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor coupled to an external ultrafiltration membrane treating municipal wastewater at 18±2°C, was evaluated over three years of stable operation. The reactor was inoculated with a mesophilic inoculum without acclimation. The AnMBR supported a tCOD removal efficiency of 87±1% at hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 7h, operating at a volumetric loading rate (VLR) of between 2 and 2.5kgtCOD/m3d, reaching effluent tCOD concentrations of 100–120mg/L and BOD5 concentrations of 35–50mgO2/L. Specific methane yield varied from 0.18 to 0.23Nm3CH4/kgCODremoved depending on the recirculation between the membrane module and the UASB reactor. The permeate flow rate, using cycles of 15s backwash, 7.5min filtration, and continuous biogas sparging (40–60m/h), ranged from 10 to 14Lm2/h with trans-membrane pressure (TMP) values of 400–550mbar.

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