Self-forming Dynamic Membranes for Wastewater Treatment

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Self-forming dynamic membrane (SFDM) technology has been gaining significant interest due to its potential advantages, notably lower capital and operational cost and easier fouling control, over conventional membranes used in membrane bioreactors. SFDM technology utilizes inexpensive support material integrated with a dynamic membrane (DM) made of suspended solids and biomass to provide high effluent quality.

Objectives

This paper aims to bridge the gap between the previous reviews and the current studies to provide a comprehensive review on SFDM applications to both aerobic and anaerobic bioreactors.

Literature review

The historical development of DMs since the 1960s up to the present is presented. Specific attention was given to DM formation mechanisms, deposition time, impacts of design, and operational factors (mesh characteristics and sludge properties) on DM formation and performances and on DM-based integrated systems.

Abbreviations

AnDMBR, anaerobic dynamic membrane bioreactor; CFV,crossflow velocity; COD,chemical oxygen demand; DM,dynamic membrane; DO,dissolved oxygen; EPS,extracellular polymeric substances; F/M,food to microorganisms ratio; HRT,hydraulic retention time; J,flux; MBR,membrane bioreactor; MF,microfiltration; MLSS,mixed liquor suspended solids; PSD,particle size distribution; RO,reverse osmosis; SEM,scanning electron microscopy; SFDM,self-forming dynamic membrane; SMP,soluble microbial products; SRT,sludge retention time; SS,suspended solids; TMP,transmembrane pressure; TN,total nitrogen; TP,total phosphorus; TSS,total suspended solids; UF,ultrafiltration

KEYWORDS:

• Dynamic membrane
• extracellular polymeric substances
• flux
• bioreactors
• membrane fouling
• sludge properties

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the Sanitary and Environmental Engineering Division (SEED) Laboratory of University of Salerno for providing the facilities and research fund. We also highly acknowledge the University of the Philippines – Diliman and the Engineering Research and Development for Technology (ERDT) through the Department of Science and Technology, Philippines for the Ph.D. Scholarship Grant and Sandwich Program awarded to one of the authors.

Disclosure Statement

The authors declare no competing financial interest.

Additional information

Funding

The research activities were partially funded by the University of Salerno under Project Nos. ORSA167105 and ORSA15425 and under Project No. IN17GR09/INT/Italy/P-17/2016 (SP) funded by Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India and by Development for Technology (ERDT) through the Department of Science and Technology, Philippines.