Using EEM fluorescence to characterize the membrane integrity of membrane bioreactor (MBR)

Abstract

In this study, a novel method for EEM fluorescence spectra examination of the membrane integrity in MBRs was investigated. Dissolved organic matter (DOM) was measured to determine the performance of membrane retention. The sensitivity of membrane integrity tests which reported as a log reduction value (LRV) was recalculated. The results show that, two protein-like species, one humic-like species and one fulvic-like species were found in MBRs using parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC). When the membrane pore size was 0.2 μm, the majority of macromolecular protein-like species could be effectively rejected. The fluorescence regional integration (FRI) results for the tryptophan species and the aromatic protein species showed a positive correlation with the different breakage rates of fibers, the correlation coefficients were 0.980 and 0.987, respectively. In comparison with particle counting detection, EEM fluorescence spectral analysis exhibits good practicability with regards to response time and feedback accuracy. With an LRV of 4.26, it can detect the water quality and membrane integrity without having to add other substances as tracers. In addition to expanding the membrane integrity technologies, this study also provides a method for real-time membrane filtration detection and water quality analysis in MBRs.