Abstract
Abstract Membranes can be used as alternative for post-treatment of upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors. However, mainly for anaerobic effluent, fouling is still a challenge and major drawback can be minimized by coagulant addition before membrane filtration. In this work, three concentrations of aluminum sulfate (20, 150, and 950 mg L−1) were applied in UASB effluent to evaluate pollutant removal and fouling mitigation potential in two steps: coagulation/flocculation and crossflow filtration with ultrafiltration membrane. All coagulant dosages removed foulants (e.g. carbohydrates and proteins) before filtration and supernatants showed lower flux decrease in relation to UASB effluent, with an enhancement in reversible fouling fraction in comparison with total fouling resistance. Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) analyses showed efficient coagulation and precipitation resulting in less residual aluminum in membrane surface for 950 mg L−1 coagulant dosage. All coagulants concentrations altered the cake layer, assisting crossflow filtration. Coagulation of UASB effluent before membrane filtration indicate an interesting alternative for post-treatment of anaerobic effluent.
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