Improvement of the performance of Membrane Bioreactors

In membrane bioreactors (1) traditional secondary settlers are replaced by membranes with the advantages of an improved effluent quality (lower concentrations of pathogens and micro-pollutants), better reuse options, a smaller footprint and the possibility to maintain large concentrations of microorganisms, even under extreme conditions.

The objective is to make membrane bioreactors more robust, less energy demanding and more economical.

(2) Clean(left) and fouled(right) membrane

(1)membrane bioreactor

 
The main bottleneck is membrane fouling (2) which requires frequent cleaning with chemicals, a large installed membrane area and high energy consumption.

Research to reduce fouling includes elucidating the mechanism of fouling (3), training the micro organisms to produce less foulants (4) and adaptation of the membrane properties and membrane operation (5).


(3) vervuilingsmechanismen


(4) Micro-organisms with extra-cellular polymers
(5) Set-up to measure effect of membrane properties

Wetsus' research in this field combines know-how on biochemistry, biotechnology, membrane technology and process technology. This multidisciplinary approach is expected to provide innovative solutions for the complex problems in membrane bioreactors.