Abstract
The article reveals various factors, which determine the maintenance of membrane bioreactors for treatment of domestic and industrial sewage. Contamination of membranes is a consequence of poor pretreatment, when membrane accumulates hair, scraps of rags and other fibrous materials on its' fibers and in the cavities of membrane blocks. Aeration conditions have a significant impact on the performance of the membranes, also in sufficient sludge liquor mixing leads to membrane clogging. Size of pores, material of membrane and washing peculiarities are the factors that can affect MBR operation. The costs for installation and operation of membrane modules is still the limiting factor of their wide application, however now the situation is changing. There are key differences between membrane and conventional treatment of wastewater revealed such as costs, required area and quality of treatment.
Highlights
Restoration of permeability of membranes within MBR operation is made by means of solutions of reagents, generally, oxidizing agents – so-called chemical washing
There is a need to take out membrane blocks and wash them mechanically to remove accumulated sediments (Figure 1)
If we focus on the main difficulties encountered in the operation of membrane bioreactors and exclude the features of the biological purification, it is possible to distinguish the following characteristic problems according to their priority: - fouling of membranes and filters;
Summary
Restoration of permeability of membranes within MBR operation is made by means of solutions of reagents, generally, oxidizing agents – so-called chemical washing. The main agents in use are sodium hypochlorite concentration of 0.2-1% or citric acid (0.2 – 0.3%); caustic sodium, hydrochloric acid, various detergents and complexing agents are used rarely. The frequency of this procedure is approximately once per several months. The pressure modules are washed by circulation of the reagent solution supplied by the pump from a special tank; submersible modules are either moved to a special container or washed in place. - damage to the membranes or their severe pollution; - failures of communication lines of automation systems; - membrane blowing system failures; - failure of blowers and aerators; - contamination of the grids or gratings; - recycling failure; - failure of auxiliary membrane equipment
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