Impact of support media in an integrated biofilter–submerged membrane system

The impact of a support material on an integrated biofilter-membrane system, simulating a difficult-to-treat surface water, was examined in terms of membrane fouling rate and water quality parameters. The support media in the membrane tanks did not generally affect any of the water quality parameter...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Water research (Oxford) 2005-10, Vol.39 (17), p.4220-4228
Main Authors: Basu, O.D., Huck, P.M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Biodegradation, Environmental
biofilters
Biofiltration
Biological and medical sciences
Biotechnology
Carbon
Environment and pollution
Exact sciences and technology
Filtration - instrumentation
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
humic substances
Immersed membrane
Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects
membrane filtration
membrane fouling
Membranes, Artificial
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
Organics removal
Other industrial wastes. Sewage sludge
Pollution
Support media
TOC removal
Wastes
water pollution
water treatment
Water treatment and pollution
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The impact of a support material on an integrated biofilter-membrane system, simulating a difficult-to-treat surface water, was examined in terms of membrane fouling rate and water quality parameters. The support media in the membrane tanks did not generally affect any of the water quality parameters measured; however, there was an observable difference in the membrane fouling rates between the two processes with the support media system fouling at least two times slower than the non-support system. Total organic carbon (TOC) removals at around 60% were observed for two integrated biofilter-immersed membrane processes with the majority of the TOC removal occurring in the biofilters. One of the membrane tanks contained a support media (Process A) while the other did not (Process B). The feedwater contained humic acid (65% w/w) and readily biodegradable carbons (35% w/w) in the forms of acetic acid, formic acid and formaldehyde. The influent TOC values were between 3.35 and 3.94 mg/L. Acetate removals varied between 66 and 83%, while over 90% of the formate was removed and the formaldehyde was completely removed in the biofilters. There was a decrease in the UV absorbance values by over 70% for both processes.
ISSN:0043-1354
1879-2448
DOI:10.1016/j.watres.2005.08.007