Fouling characteristics of membrane filtration in membrane bioreactors

Abstract

The application of microfiltration and ultrafiltration membranes to waste-water treatment is attracting increasing interest, even though they can be limited by their tendency to foul. This problem is particularly acute in side-stream membrane bioreactors, in which a relatively high flux is employed compared with the submerged membrane bioreactor configuration. Experiments simulating the conditions found in a side-stream membrane bioreactor have been conducted to determine the effect that changes in operating conditions have on the fouling characteristics of different membranes.