Principles of Membrane Bioreactors for Wastewater Treatment

Principles of

Membrane

Bioreactors for

Wastewater

Treatment

Hee-Deung Park

In-Soung Chang

Kwang-Jin Lee

Influent wastewater

Waste activated sludge

Treated wastewater

Bioreactor

MF or UF

Suction pump

for Wastewater Treatment

Principles of Membrane Bioreactors Park • Chang • Lee

6000 Broken Sound Parkway, NW

Suite 300, Boca Raton, FL 33487

711 Third Avenue

New York, NY 10017

2 Park Square, Milton Park

Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN, UK

an informa business

www.crcpress.com

ISBN: 978-1-4665-9037-3

9 781466 590373

90000

K20461

Principles of Membrane Bioreactors for Wastewater Treatment

covers the basic principles of membrane bioreactor (MBR)

technology, including biological treatment, membrane filtra￾tion, and MBR applications. The book discusses concrete

principles, appropriate design, and operational aspects.

It covers a wide variety of MBR topics, including filtration

theory, membrane materials and geometry, fouling phenomena

and properties, and strategies for minimizing fouling. Also

covered are the practical aspects such as operation and

maintenance.

Case studies and examples in the book help readers under￾stand the basic concepts and principles clearly, while problems

presented help advance relevant theories more deeply.

Readers will find this book a helpful resource to understand

the state of the art in MBR technology.

WASTEWATER ENGINEERING

K20461_Cover_PubGr.indd All Pages 3/20/15 3:49 PM

Principles of

Membrane

Bioreactors for

Wastewater

Treatment

Principles of

Membrane

Bioreactors for

Wastewater

Treatment

Hee-Deung Park

In-Soung Chang

Kwang-Jin Lee

CRC Press

Taylor & Francis Group

6000 Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300

Boca Raton, FL 33487-2742

© 2015 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

CRC Press is an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group, an Informa business

No claim to original U.S. Government works

Version Date: 20150318

International Standard Book Number-13: 978-1-4665-9038-0 (eBook - PDF)

This book contains information obtained from authentic and highly regarded sources. Reasonable efforts

have been made to publish reliable data and information, but the author and publisher cannot assume

responsibility for the validity of all materials or the consequences of their use. The authors and publishers

have attempted to trace the copyright holders of all material reproduced in this publication and apologize to

copyright holders if permission to publish in this form has not been obtained. If any copyright material has

not been acknowledged please write and let us know so we may rectify in any future reprint.

Except as permitted under U.S. Copyright Law, no part of this book may be reprinted, reproduced, transmit￾ted, or utilized in any form by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented,

including photocopying, microfilming, and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system,

without written permission from the publishers.

For permission to photocopy or use material electronically from this work, please access www.copyright.

com (http://www.copyright.com/) or contact the Copyright Clearance Center, Inc. (CCC), 222 Rosewood

Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, 978-750-8400. CCC is a not-for-profit organization that provides licenses and

registration for a variety of users. For organizations that have been granted a photocopy license by the CCC,

a separate system of payment has been arranged.

Trademark Notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used

only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe.

Visit the Taylor & Francis Web site at

http://www.taylorandfrancis.com

and the CRC Press Web site at

http://www.crcpress.com

v

Contents

Preface......................................................................................................... xiii

1 Introduction...........................................................................................1

1.1 Introduction of MBR ........................................................................2

1.1.1 Principle of MBR..................................................................2

1.1.2 Brief History of MBR Technology........................................2

1.1.3 Comparison of CAS and MBR Processes .............................5

1.1.4 Operational Condition and Performance of MBR................7

1.2 Direction in Research and Development (R&D) of MBR.................9

1.2.1 Membranes and Modules .....................................................9

1.2.2 Operation and Maintenance (O&M).................................10

1.2.3 Prospect for Future R&D in MBR .....................................13

References..................................................................................................14

2 Biological Wastewater Treatment.........................................................15

2.1 Microorganisms in Bioreactor..........................................................16

2.1.1 Types of Microorganisms....................................................17

2.1.1.1 Bacteria...............................................................19

2.1.1.2 Archaea...............................................................20

2.1.1.3 Viruses................................................................21

2.1.1.4 Fungi..................................................................21

2.1.1.5 Algae ..................................................................22

2.1.1.6 Protozoa .............................................................22

2.1.1.7 Other Types of Eukaryotic Microorganisms.......22

2.1.2 Quantification of Microorganisms......................................22

2.1.3 Metabolisms of Microorganisms.........................................23

2.1.4 Energy Generation in Microorganisms...............................25

2.2 Microbial Stoichiometry in Bioreactor.............................................28

2.2.1 Balanced Microbial Stoichiometric Equations....................29

2.2.2 Theoretical Oxygen Demand for Aerobic

Bacterial Growth................................................................33

vi ◾ Contents

2.3 Microbial Kinetics...........................................................................35

2.3.1 Microbial Growth Rate ......................................................35

2.3.2 Substrate Utilization Rate...................................................37

2.3.3 Total VSS Production Rate.................................................38

2.3.4 Effect of Temperature on Microbial Kinetics......................39

2.4 Mass Balances ................................................................................ 40

2.4.1 Mass Balance for Biomass (X) ........................................... 42

2.4.2 Mass Balance for Substrate (S)............................................43

2.4.3 Mass Balance for Inert Material (Xi) ................................. 44

2.4.4 Effect of SRT on Substrate, Biomass, and Inert Material...... 46

2.4.5 Effect of Temperature on Substrate, Biomass, and

Inert Material .....................................................................48

2.4.6 Determination of Kinetic Coefficients................................50

2.5 Biological Nitrogen Removal...........................................................51

2.5.1 Nitrification........................................................................52

2.5.2 Denitrification....................................................................54

2.5.3 Nitrogen Removal Performance..........................................58

2.6 Biological Phosphorus Removal.......................................................61

2.6.1 Phosphorus Removal by Conventional Biological

Activated Sludge Process.....................................................61

2.6.2 Phosphorus Removal by Enhanced Biological

Phosphorus Removal Process..............................................62

2.6.3 Phosphorus Removal by Chemical Precipitation.................65

Problems................................................................................................... 66

References..................................................................................................73

3 Membranes, Modules, and Cassettes....................................................75

3.1 Membrane Separation Theories .......................................................75

3.1.1 Transport of Suspended Particles to the Surface of

Membranes and Particle–Membrane Interactions ..............76

3.1.1.1 Hydrodynamic Convection ............................... 77

3.1.1.2 Sedimentation and Flotation ............................. 77

3.1.1.3 Particle–Wall Interaction................................... 77

3.1.1.4 Sieving................................................................78

3.1.1.5 Particle Diffusion ...............................................78

3.1.2 Transport Theory of Water Molecules through MF

and UF Membranes............................................................80

3.2 Membrane Materials........................................................................82

3.2.1 Polysulfone.........................................................................83

3.2.2 Polyethersulfone .................................................................85

3.2.3 Polyolefins: Polyethylene, Polypropylene, and

Polyvinylchloride................................................................85

3.2.4 Polyvinylidene Difluoride...................................................85

Contents ◾ vii

3.2.5 Polytetrafluoroethylene.......................................................86

3.2.6 Cellulose Acetate................................................................86

3.3 Membrane Fabrication ....................................................................86

3.3.1 Membrane Fabrication Methods.........................................86

3.3.2 Solubility Parameter for NIPS and TIPS Processes.............88

3.3.3 Phase Separation and Triangular Phase Diagram ...............99

3.3.4 Fabrication of Hollow Fiber and Flat Sheet Membrane.......101

3.4 Membrane Characterization..........................................................102

3.4.1 Dimensions.......................................................................102

3.4.2 Pore Size Distribution.......................................................104

3.4.2.1 Bubble Point.....................................................104

3.4.2.2 Particle Rejection..............................................108

3.4.2.3 Polymer Rejection............................................. 111

3.4.3 Hydrophilicity (Contact Angle)........................................116

3.4.4 Charge Characters (Zeta Potential) .................................. 117

3.4.5 Roughness (Atomic Force Microscopy) ............................120

3.5 Membrane Performance ................................................................122

3.5.1 Permeability......................................................................122

3.5.2 Rejection ..........................................................................126

3.5.3 Compaction......................................................................127

3.5.4 Fouling Property ..............................................................127

3.6 Membrane Modules ......................................................................131

3.6.1 Chemistry.........................................................................131

3.6.2 Morphologies....................................................................132

3.6.3 Membrane Effective Area .................................................133

3.6.4 Packing Density................................................................134

3.6.5 Operation Types...............................................................136

3.6.5.1 Submerged Type...............................................137

3.6.5.2 Pressurized Type...............................................138

3.7 Membrane Cassettes......................................................................139

3.7.1 Components and Materials...............................................139

3.7.2 Setup and Maintenance....................................................140

3.7.3 Membrane Effective Area and Packing Density................142

3.7.4 Aeration............................................................................142

3.7.4.1 Aerator..............................................................142

3.7.4.2 Air Demand .....................................................142

Problems..................................................................................................144

References................................................................................................146

4 Membrane Fouling .............................................................................147

4.1 Fouling Phenomena.......................................................................147

4.1.1 Fouling Rate.....................................................................149

viii ◾ Contents

4.2 Classification of Fouling................................................................150

4.2.1 Reversible versus Irreversible and Recoverable versus

Irrecoverable Fouling........................................................ 151

4.2.2 Classification of Fouling by Location of Fouling ..............154

4.2.2.1 Clogging...........................................................154

4.2.2.2 Cake Layer ....................................................... 155

4.2.2.3 Internal Pore Fouling........................................158

4.2.3 Solids Deposit Pattern ......................................................158

4.2.4 Solute Fouling ..................................................................159

4.2.4.1 Concentration Polarization...............................159

4.2.4.2 Gel Layer Formation.........................................159

4.3 Types of Foulants ..........................................................................159

4.3.1 Particulates.......................................................................160

4.3.1.1 Flocs.................................................................160

4.3.1.2 Floc Size...........................................................161

4.3.1.3 Extracellular Polymeric Substances...................163

4.3.1.4 EPS Extraction and Quantitative

Analysis of EPS Components............................164

4.3.2 Soluble Matter..................................................................167

4.3.2.1 SMPs or Free EPSs (Soluble EPSs)....................168

4.4 Factors Affecting Membrane Fouling ............................................171

4.4.1 Membrane and Module....................................................172

4.4.1.1 Pore Size...........................................................172

4.4.1.2 Hydrophilicity/Hydrophobicity........................173

4.4.1.3 Membrane Raw Materials.................................173

4.4.1.4 Charge.............................................................. 174

4.4.1.5 Module............................................................. 174

4.4.2 Microbial Characteristics..................................................175

4.4.2.1 MLSS ...............................................................175

4.4.2.2 Floc Size...........................................................178

4.4.2.3 Compressibility of the Cake Layer....................185

4.4.2.4 Dissolved Matter ..............................................186

4.4.2.5 Flocs Structure (Foaming, Pinpoint Floc,

and Bulking) ....................................................188

4.4.2.6 Influent Characteristics.....................................189

4.4.2.7 Sludge Hydrophobicity.....................................190

4.4.3 Operation .........................................................................191

4.4.3.1 HRT.................................................................191

4.4.3.2 SRT..................................................................193

4.4.3.3 Shear Stress.......................................................194

4.4.3.4 Aeration............................................................196

4.4.3.5 Flux (Critical Flux)...........................................197

Contents ◾ ix

4.5 Quantitative Determination of Fouling.........................................197

4.5.1 Resistance in the Series Model..........................................198

4.5.1.1 Stirred-Batch Filtration Cell .............................203

4.5.1.2 Cautious Use of the Resistance in the

Series Model .....................................................216

4.5.1.3 Cautious Use of the Resistance in the

Series Model to Determine Cake Layer

Resistance (Rc)..................................................218

4.5.2 TMP Buildup.................................................................. 220

4.6 Fouling Control Strategy...............................................................221

Problems................................................................................................. 222

References................................................................................................227

5 MBR Operation..................................................................................231

5.1 Operation Parameters....................................................................231

5.1.1 HRT.................................................................................232

5.1.2 SRT..................................................................................232

5.1.3 Recirculation Ratio, α.......................................................233

5.1.4 Temperature.....................................................................235

5.1.5 Temperature Dependence of Flux.....................................236

5.1.6 TMP and Critical Flux.....................................................238

5.2 Aeration for Biotreatment and Membrane Aeration.......................241

5.2.1 Fine Bubble Aeration........................................................242

5.2.2 Oxygen Transfer...............................................................245

5.2.3 Oxygen Demand..............................................................245

5.2.4 Coarse Aeration............................................................... 246

5.2.5 Aeration Demand and Energy ..........................................248

5.2.6 Packing Density................................................................250

5.3 Fouling Control.............................................................................250

5.3.1 Chemical Control.............................................................251

5.3.1.1 Cleaning Protocol.............................................251

5.3.1.2 Classification of Cleaning Chemicals ...............258

5.3.1.3 Hypochlorite Chemistry...................................262

5.3.1.4 Actual Chlorine and Available Chlorine...........265

5.3.1.5 Other Chemical Agents................................... 268

5.3.1.6 Activated Carbon............................................. 268

5.3.1.7 Chemical Pretreatment and Additives ............. 268

5.3.2 Physical (Hydrodynamic or Mechanical)..........................269

5.3.2.1 Preliminary Treatment .....................................269

5.3.2.2 Backwashing (or Backflushing) ........................269

5.3.2.3 Air Scouring (Coarse Aeration).........................270

5.3.2.4 Intermittent Suction .........................................271

x ◾ Contents

5.3.2.5 Abrasion ...........................................................272

5.3.2.6 Critical Flux Operation ....................................272

5.3.3 Biological Control ............................................................273

5.3.3.1 Quorum Quenching.........................................273

5.3.3.2 Other Biological Control..................................274

5.3.4 Electrical Control .............................................................274

5.3.4.1 Electric Field.....................................................275

5.3.4.2 In Situ Electrocoagulation................................277

5.3.4.3 High Voltage Impulse.......................................279

5.3.5 Membranes and Module Modification .............................281

5.3.5.1 Membranes Modification .................................281

5.3.5.2 Modification of Membranes Module................283

Problems................................................................................................. 284

References............................................................................................... 286

6 Design of MBR...................................................................................289

6.1 Process Flow of Wastewater Treatment Plants Using MBR ...........289

6.2 Pretreatment System Design..........................................................291

6.2.1 Wastewater Flow Rate ......................................................291

6.2.2 Screens..............................................................................297

6.2.2.1 Coarse Screens..................................................297

6.2.2.2 Fine Screens......................................................299

6.2.3 Grit Removal Chamber ................................................... 300

6.2.4 Flow Equalization Tank ...................................................301

6.3 Bioreactor Design ......................................................................... 306

6.3.1 Characterization of Influent Wastewater Quality:

Determination of Biodegradable COD and TKN........... 306

6.3.2 Check Minimum SRT......................................................309

6.3.3 Estimation of Daily Solids Production .............................312

6.3.4 Determining the Volume of Aerobic Tank........................316

6.3.5 Determining the Volume of Anoxic Tank.........................318

6.4 Aeration Design.............................................................................321

6.4.1 Actual Oxygen Transfer Rate...........................................321

6.4.2 Calculating the Aeration Requirement for

Biological Treatment.........................................................325

6.4.3 Aeration Amount for Membrane Cleaning .......................326

6.5 Membrane System Design .............................................................327

6.6 Design Example ............................................................................329

6.6.1 Checking Design SRT Based on Nitrification Kinetics......331

6.6.2 Determining the Solids Production Associated with

Biological Reactions..........................................................333

6.6.3 Determining the Volume of an Aerobic Tank...................334

6.6.4 Estimating the Volume of an Anoxic Tank.......................335

Contents ◾ xi

6.6.5 Determining the Internal Recycling Rate.........................336

6.6.6 Checking the Alkalinity Requirement..............................337

6.6.7 Determining the Waste Activated Sludge.........................337

6.6.8 Determining the Aeration Requirements for

Biological Reactions..........................................................338

6.6.9 Designing the Membrane System.....................................339

6.6.10 Summary of Design......................................................... 340

Problems..................................................................................................341

References............................................................................................... 348

7 Case Studies........................................................................................349

7.1 Introduction ..................................................................................349

7.2 Commercial Membranes, Modules, and Cassettes for MBR..........352

7.2.1 GE Zenon.........................................................................352

7.2.2 Kubota..............................................................................353

7.2.3 Mitsubishi Rayon Engineering .........................................354

7.2.4 Pentair..............................................................................356

7.2.5 Membranes, Modules, and Cassettes List for MBR

Application.......................................................................357

7.3 Case Studies of the MBR Processes Using Popular Membranes......357

7.3.1 GE Zenon.........................................................................369

7.3.1.1 System Configuration.......................................369

7.3.1.2 Biological Performance.....................................371

7.3.1.3 Membrane Performance ...................................373

7.3.1.4 Conclusions......................................................374

7.3.2 Kubota..............................................................................375

7.3.2.1 System Configuration.......................................375

7.3.2.2 Biological Performance.....................................378

7.3.2.3 Membrane Performance ...................................382

7.3.2.4 Conclusions......................................................386

7.3.3 Mitsubishi Rayon Engineering .........................................386

7.3.3.1 System Configuration.......................................386

7.3.3.2 Biological Performance.....................................386

7.3.3.3 Membrane Performance ...................................390

7.3.3.4 Conclusions......................................................390

7.3.4 Pentair..............................................................................392

7.3.4.1 System Configuration.......................................392

7.3.4.2 Biological Performance.....................................392

7.3.4.3 Membrane Performance ...................................397

7.3.4.4 Conclusions......................................................397

7.4 Case Studies for Municipal Wastewater Treatment........................398

7.4.1 Seine Aval Wastewater Treatment Facility ........................399

7.4.2 Brightwater Wastewater Treatment Facility......................402

xii ◾ Contents

7.4.3 Yellow River Water Reclamation Facility..........................403

7.4.4 Cannes Aquaviva Wastewater Treatment Facility .............405

7.4.5 Busan Suyeong Sewage Treatment Plant...........................405

7.4.6 Cleveland Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant .................... 408

7.5 Case Studies for Industrial Wastewater Treatment ....................... 409

7.5.1 Basic American Foods Potato Processing Plant................ 409

7.5.2 Frito-Lay Process Water Recovery Treatment Plant ..........411

7.5.3 Kanes Foods.....................................................................411

7.5.4 Pfizer Wastewater Treatment Plant...................................413

7.5.5 Taneco Refinery................................................................413

7.5.6 Zhejiang Pharmaceutical WWTP....................................414

References................................................................................................ 415

xiii

Preface

Membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology is a wastewater treatment method cou￾pling biological treatment and membrane separation. Although MBR technology

did not come into the spotlight when it was first introduced by Smith and cowork￾ers in the late 1960s, it has been playing an important role in wastewater treat￾ment and wastewater reuse since the mid-1990s. Stringent regulations on effluent

discharge, demands for wastewater reuse, and the reduction of membrane capital

costs are regarded as the main drivers for today’s widespread use of this technology

worldwide.

In accordance with the popularity of MBR technology, students majoring in

environmental engineering, or related disciplines, and wastewater engineers are in

continuous need of knowledge about the principles and applications of the technol￾ogy. Nevertheless, good books instructing both students and professionals about

MBR technology principles and applications are difficult to find. Only a few MBR

books are available at present, and, moreover, the books mostly concentrate on the

technological development in MBR operations and full-scale case studies. There is

a need for a book that provides concrete principles, appropriate design examples,

and operational experiences.

In Principles of Membrane Bioreactors for Wastewater Treatment, we focus on

the basic principles of MBR technology such as biological treatment, membrane

filtration, and membrane fouling. The book also includes applications of MBR

such as operation, maintenance, design, and case studies. We wrote the book to

impart comprehensive knowledge about MBR technology to students and waste￾water engineers via a step-by-step learning process. To this end, there are many

examples and problems in the core chapters dealing with the principles of MBR

technology.

Principles of Membrane Bioreactors for Wastewater Treatment is a textbook mostly

designed for one-semester, graduate-level, or senior undergraduate-level courses. It

consists of an introductory chapter (Chapter 1), three core chapters (Chapters 2

through 4), and three application chapters (Chapters 5 through 7). The core chap￾ters deal with basic principles of biological treatment, membrane filtration, and

membrane fouling and comprise about two-thirds of the book. Examples in the