The effect of temperature on fouling in anaerobic membrane bioreactor: SMP- and EPS-membrane interactions.

Biofouling is the main challenge in the operation of anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs). Biofouling strongly depends on temperature; therefore, we hypothesize that the interactions and viscoelastic properties of soluble microbial products (SMP) and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) vary with temperature, consequently influencing membrane permeability. This study compares the performance of an AnMBR operated at a similar permeate flux at two temperatures.