🌍💼Is MBR or Hybrid treatment approaches (adding PAC to the activated sludge and coupling PAC-assisted MBR with RO) appropriate for removin...
Published on by Hossein Ataei Far, Deputy Manager of the Research, Technology Development, and Industry Relations Center at NWWEC
🌍Different methods improve MBR performance for micropollutant removal, like adjusting conditions, using high-retention membranes, adding materials to the bioreactor, and combining advanced oxidation processes with more membrane retention. MBRs have shown good results in removing micropollutants compared to standard treatment, but more strategies and research are needed to enhance MBR performance for industrial use.
🔎MBR tech improves wastewater treatment, esp. for micropollutants. It uses selective membranes, providing high removal efficiency and continuous treatment. Versatile, compact design, integrates with other tech. Compares MBR with conventional treatment in a study at a WWTP.
🔎Using advanced analytical techniques, the researchers identified approximately 200 compounds in the WWTP effluents. They found that MBR treatment was more effective in removing 16 micropollutants compared to CAS treatment. However, both treatments showed similar environmental risks due to the presence of certain non-eliminated compounds, including anthracene, clarithromycin, bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and Dilantin.
🔎The study investigates the behavior of four pesticides (carbendazim, diuron, 2,4-D, and atrazine) in a pilot-scale MBR treating high-strength industrial effluents. The researchers explore two methods to extend pesticide retention in the bioreactor: adding small amounts of powdered activated carbon (PAC) to the activated sludge and coupling PAC-assisted MBR with a reverse osmosis unit (RO) and recirculation of the retentate. The goal is to provide reliable information on micropollutant fate under controlled feed conditions.
🔎Results indicate that only carbendazim is efficiently (>80%) removed during regular MBR operation, attributed to electron-donating groups in its aromatic ring structure. The addition of PAC improves the long-term removal of diuron, while the effect on 2,4-D and atrazine removal is temporary and mainly related to adsorption. PAC also acts as a platform for bio floc formation, reducing sludge production and membrane fouling, thus enhancing overall MBR performance.
🔎The MBR-RO hybrid process proves most effective in increasing pesticide residence time and facilitating generalized micropollutant removal, regardless of their properties.
Refrences:
Lopez-Herguedas et al. (2023).
Khan, N. A., et al. (2023).
Liu, W., et al. (2022).
Lawson, C. E., et al. (2021).
Martí-Calatayud, et al. (2020).
Benjamin, M. and et al. (2019).
Zhang, X., et al. (2018).
Verlicchi, P., et al. (2015).
Drews, A. (2010).
#Micropollutants
#PowderedActivatedCarbon
#MembraneBioreactor
#ReverseOsmosis
#WastewaterTreatmentPlants
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