Part 2: Optimized Cleaning Strategies for Energy Reduction in Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) Operations1. Literature Review:· A pilot study at Stock...
Published on by Hossein Ataei Far, Deputy Manager of the Research, Technology Development, and Industry Relations Center at NWWEC
1. Literature Review:
· A pilot study at Stockholm’s largest wastewater treatment plant demonstrated that optimized cleaning strategies reduced chemical usage by 75% and operational costs by 70% (MDPI).
Alfa Laval introduced the S Aerator™, which enhances air scouring efficiency while reducing energy consumption (Alfa Laval).
Research on reciprocating MBR systems showed that mechanical reciprocation can replace air scouring, leading to a 75% reduction in energy consumption.
Professor Simon Judd has extensively discussed the role of Clean-In-Place (CIP) procedures in maintaining membrane performance. CIP protocols are essential for removing tenacious foulants that physical cleaning methods alone cannot address. He emphasizes that CIP typically involves sodium hypochlorite and citric acid, applied in a controlled sequence to sustain membrane permeability while minimizing membrane degradation (Judd, 2024).
2. Expected Outcomes & Benefits:
The implementation of this cyclic cleaning strategy is expected to result in:
Energy Savings – A 20–40% reduction in aeration energy consumption (Krzeminski et al., 2016).
Extended Membrane Lifespan – Reduced membrane stress through optimized cleaning cycles (Wang et al., 2014).
Lower Operational Costs – Decreased chemical consumption and maintenance requirements (MDPI).
3. Conclusion & Future Work:
This study presents an integrated approach to MBR cleaning that balances energy efficiency with membrane performance. Future research will focus on pilot-scale validation and further optimization of cleaning cycle parameters using real-time operational data (Krzeminski et al., 2016).
References:
[1] Tanzim Ur Rahman, et al. (2023).
[2] Sofia Lovisa Andersson, et al. (2023).
[3] Alfa Laval's S Aerator™ for MBR Systems.
[4] Runzhang Zuo, et al. (2022).
[5] Wang, Z., et al. (2014).
[6] Krzeminski, P., et al. (2016).
[7] Judd, S. (2024). Clean-In-Place Strategies for MBR Systems.
Figure 1: Membrane cleaning methods, Credit: Judd Water & Wastewater Consultants