Abstract
Anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) is a promising technology for wastewater treatment. However, membrane fouling as an inevitable challenge restricts its application. Recently novel membrane fouling control technology by applying electric field in AnMBR showed its economics and effectiveness. Nevertheless, the mechanism of fouling suppression is still unclear, limiting the development of this technology. In this study, electro-AnMBR was constructed. Long-term running showed that applying electric field of 0.5 V suppressed the membrane fouling evolution rate by nearly 23% and reduced the organic foulants on membrane by nearly 10%. To clarify the mechanism of fouling suppression, the contribution of electrophoresis to membrane fouling suppression was quantified by theoretical calculation for the first time. Results showed that electrophoresis was approximately equivalent to backwash with a flux of 0.56 L/(m2·h). Besides, impact of electric field on mixed liquor filterability of AnMBR was first investigated by dead-end filtration. Results presented that electric field reduced the filtration resistance of mixed liquor by nearly 77%. Then mixed liquor properties analysis, electrochemical oxidation simulation tests and metagenomic analysis revealed that electric field might improve mixed liquor filterability by bioelectrochemical oxidation. Finally, novel mechanism of electric field suppressed membrane fouling was elucidated, including electrophoresis to drive off the foulants and mixed liquor filterability improvement. This study might contribute to better understanding for membrane fouling control by applying electric field in AnMBR, and was meaningful for technical development.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
