Advanced characterization of fouling in membrane coupled with upflow anaerobic sludge blanket process.

In this study, an advanced process based on the use of ultrafiltration hollow fibre membranes immersed in the supernatant of an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket bioreactor (MUASB) and operated under low permeate flux was proposed. Process sustainability was assessed under different operating conditions: membranes were immersed either in the supernatant or in the biomass bulk and operated under various permeate fluxes. Additionally, temporal investigation was also proposed through the advanced characterization of fouling behaviour by systematic fractionation (based on level of reversibility) and analysis by liquid chromatography-organic carbon detector.

Assessment of anti-fouling strategies for membrane coupled with upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (MUASB) process.

In this novel process, domestic wastewater was filtered by a hollow-fibre membrane coupled with an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (MUASB) bioreactor. To improve the process sustainability and decrease energy costs, the membranes were operated under low fluxes with little, or no, shear. The efficiency of anti-fouling strategies, including relaxation, backwashing and supply of low aeration and stir rates, was assessed through detailed characterization of the fouling layers.