Exploring the effects of intermittent aeration on the performance of nitrifying membrane-aerated biofilm reactors.

Membrane-aerated biofilm reactors (MABRs) are an emerging technology for nutrient removal; however, a trade-off remains between their removal rate and oxygen transfer efficiency. This study compares nitrifying flow-through MABRs operated under continuous and intermittent aeration modes at mainstream wastewater ammonia levels. The intermittently-aerated MABRs maintained maximal nitrification rates, including under conditions allowing the oxygen partial pressure on the gas side of the membrane to considerably drop during the no-aeration period.