Abstract
Tapioca processing industries are very popular in the rural community to produce a variety of foods as the end products. Due to their small scales and scattered locations, they require robust modular systems to operate at low capacity with minimum supervision. This study explores the application of a novel sequencing batch-integrated fixed-film activated sludge membrane (SB-IFASM) process to treat tapioca processing wastewater for reuse purposes. The SB-IFASM employed a gravity-driven system and utilizes biofilm to enhance biodegradation without requiring membrane cleaning. The SB-IFASM utilizes the biofilm as a secondary biodegradation stage to enhance the permeate quality applicable for reuse. A lab-scale SB-IFASM was developed, preliminarily assessed, and used to treat synthetic tapioca processing industry wastewater. The results of short-term filtration tests showed the significant impact of hydrostatic pressure on membrane compaction and instant cake layer formation. Increasing the pressure from 2.2 to 10 kPa lowered the permeability of clean water and activated sludge from 720 to 425 and from 110 to 50 L/m2·h bar, respectively. The unsteady-state operation of the SB-IFASM showed the prominent role of the bio-cake in removing the organics reaching the permeate quality suitable for reuse. High COD removals of 63–98% demonstrated the prominence contribution of the biofilm in enhancing biological performance and ultimate COD removals of >93% make it very attractive for application in small-scale tapioca processing industries. However, the biological ecosystem was unstable, as shown by foaming that deteriorated permeability and was detrimental to the organic removal. Further developments are still required, particularly to address the biological stability and low permeability.
Highlights
Tapioca flour originated from the root of the cassava plant is used commercially as raw material in pharmaceuticals, textiles, cosmetics, food industries, and others [1]; and is very popular in tropical South-East Asian countries, where China dominates the imports.It has been reported that the annual demand has increased by 28.63% from 2006 until 2020 in Asia [2]
The permeability readings fluctuated over time, primarily for reactor A, due to the fluctuation level of clean water due to air bubbling from activated sludge mixing, but a lesser degree of flux decline than others
The three reactors experienced the same compaction tendencies as they were made primarily for reactor A, due to the fluctuation level of clean water due to air bubbling from activated sludge mixing, but a lesser degree of flux decline than others
Summary
Tapioca flour originated from the root of the cassava plant is used commercially as raw material in pharmaceuticals, textiles, cosmetics, food industries, and others [1]; and is very popular in tropical South-East Asian countries, where China dominates the imports.It has been reported that the annual demand has increased by 28.63% from 2006 until 2020 in Asia [2]. Tapioca flour originated from the root of the cassava plant is used commercially as raw material in pharmaceuticals, textiles, cosmetics, food industries, and others [1]; and is very popular in tropical South-East Asian countries, where China dominates the imports. Small-scale tapioca processing industries are common, especially in Asia, such as in Thailand and Indonesia. They operate traditionally, half mechanized, animalenergy, where the starch is extracted from cassava plants requiring a large quantity of water. The generated wastewater is discharged intermittently, mainly in the morning (i.e., excessive water washing). Because the industries are minor and their locations are scattered, implementing the established wastewater treatment technology is untenable. The wastewater from cassava processing industries poses environmental challenges due to its adverse effects
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