Influence of total solids concentration on membrane permeability in a submerged hollow-fibre anaerobic membrane bioreactor

The main aim of this work was to study the influence of the mixed liquor total solids (MLTS) concentration on membrane permeability (K-20) in a submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor (SAnMBR) pilot plant, which is equipped with industrial hollow-fibre membranes and treats urban wastewater. This pilot plant was operated at 33 degrees C and 70 days of SRT. Two different transmembrane fluxes (13.3 and 10 LMH) were tested with a gas sparging intensity of 0.23 Nm(3) m(-2) h(-1) (measured as Specific Gas Demand referred to membrane area). A linear dependence of K-20 on MLTS concentration was observed within a range of MLTS concentration from 13 to 32 g L-1 and J(20) of 10 LMH. K-20 was maintained at sustainable values (about 100 LMH bar(-1)) even at high MLTS concentrations (up to 20 g L-1). In addition, several short-tests were carried out when the membranes were operated at high MLTS concentrations in order to assess the effect of the physical cleaning strategies (relaxation and back-flush) on membrane performance. It was observed that, with the applied gas sparging intensity, the duration of the relaxation stage did not critically affect the membrane performance. On the other hand, the required back-flush frequency was considerably affected by the MLTS concentration.