Operation and optimization of membrane distillation bioreactor

• Main Author: Kwan, Joseph Zheng Xin.
• Other Authors: Liu Yu
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Environmental engineering::Water treatment
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/39865
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The operation and optimization of a membrane distillation bioreactor (MDBR) was investigated in this project. In the MDBR studied, a submerged membrane distillation was incorporated into a bioreactor operating at elevated temperature. Since rejection is based on an evaporation mechanism, the retention time of non-volatile soluble and small organics in the submerged MDBR is independent of the hydraulic retention time (mainly water and volatiles). A high-quality permeate was obtained in this one-step compact water reclamation process. The main focus of this project is to optimise the operation of a lab-scale MDBR setup, specifically by examining salt accumulation rate and its effect on the bioprocess in the MDBR system. The setup managed to produce a stable flux of approximately 6 L/m2•hr over 6 days. EPS, MLSS, SOUR, TOC and other parameters were measured. It was found that that MDBR would have the resilience to operate in higher salt concentrations although further studies will be needed to investigate the low TOC removal efficiency of the setup’s bioreactor.