Membrane filtration as post-treatment of rotating biological contactor for wastewater treatment

Sharjeel Waqas and Muhammad Roil Bilad and Nurul Huda and Noorfidza Yub Harun and Nik Abdul Hadi Md Nordin and Norazanita Shamsuddin and Yusuf Wibisono and Asim Laeeq Khan and Jumardi Roslan (2021) Membrane filtration as post-treatment of rotating biological contactor for wastewater treatment. Sustainability, 13. pp. 1-16. ISSN 2071-1050

	Text Membrane filtration as post-treatment of rotating biological contactor for wastewater treatment.pdf Download (43kB)
	Text Membrane filtration as post-treatment of rotating biological contactor for wastewater treatment1.pdf Restricted to Registered users only Download (3MB)

URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/13/7287

Abstract

A rotating biological contactor (RBC) offers a low energy footprint but suffers from performance instability, making it less popular for domestic wastewater treatment. This paper presents a study on an RBC integrated with membrane technology in which membrane filtration was used as a post-treatment step (RBC–ME) to achieve enhanced biological performance. The RBC and RBC–ME systems were operated under different hydraulic retention times (HRTs) of 12, 18, 24, and 48 h, and the effects of HRT on biological performance and effluent filterability were assessed. The results show that RBC–ME demonstrates superior biological performance than the standalone RBC. The RBC–ME bioreactor achieved 87.9 ± 3.2% of chemical oxygen demand (COD), 98.9 ± 1.1% ammonium, 45.2 ± 0.7% total nitrogen (TN), and 97.9 ± 0.1% turbidity removals. A comparison of the HRTs showed that COD and TN removal efficiency was the highest at 48 h, with 92.4 ± 2.4% and 48.6 ± 1.3% removal efficiencies, respectively. The longer HRTs also lead to better RBC effluent filterability. The steady-state permeability increased respectively by 2.4%, 9.5%, and 19.1% at HRTs of 18, 24, and 48 h, compared to 12 h. Our analysis of membrane fouling shows that fouling resistance decreased at higher HRTs. Overall, RBC–ME offered a promising alternative for traditional suspended growth processes with higher microbial activity and enhanced biological performance, which is in line with the requirements of sustainable development and environment-friendly treatment.

Item Type:	Article
Keyword:	Attached growth process , Biological treatment , Biofilm , Membrane fouling , Rotating biological contactors , Wastewater treatment
Subjects:	T Technology > TD Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering > TD1-1066 Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering > TD201-500 Water supply for domestic and industrial purposes > TD429.5-480.7 Water purification. Water treatment and conditioning. Saline water conversion
Department:	FACULTY > Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition
Depositing User:	SITI AZIZAH BINTI IDRIS -
Date Deposited:	30 Nov 2021 09:56
Last Modified:	30 Nov 2021 09:56
URI:	https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/31302

Actions (login required)

View Item