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Abstract
The effect of different intermittent filtration modes on membrane fouling was investigated in a submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor treating palm oil mill effluent. The filtration was operated at the range of supra critical conditions (permeate flux equal to 20 L m−2 h−1), and the submersed membranes were continuously cleaned by gas injection and intermittent periods of relaxation. Four conditions of relaxation (S1: 240 s filtration/30 s relaxation, S2: 480 s filtration/30 s relaxation, S3: 720 s filtration/30 s relaxation, and S4: 960 s filtration/30 s relaxation) were analyzed by comparing the trans-membrane pressure evolution rates, the main fouling origins, and the content of membrane cleaning solutions in terms of proteins and carbohydrates. Results showed (i) the dominant effect of the cake deposit (50% of the total hydraulic resistance) whatever the relaxation frequency, (ii) the equivalent importance of pore blocking and adsorption, and (iii) the clear interest of working with the highest relaxation frequencies to limit the specific hydraulic resistance (50 times lower in comparison with low relaxation frequencies). Moreover, the presence of SMP and EPS was found in the different cleaning solutions confirming their determining role in fouling mechanisms.
Acknowledgments
The authors express their thanks to the Royal Golden Jubilee Ph.D. program-RGJ, Thailand Research Fund (TRF) and the Joint Graduate School of Energy and Environment (JGSEE), King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Center of Excellent on Energy Technology and Environment, Ministry of Education Thailand for providing a grant for this research. The authors also thank Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Prince of Songkla University for supports of laboratory facilities.