Submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor (SAnMBR) performance on sewage treatment: Removal efficiencies, biogas production and membrane fouling

The performance of sewage treatment at 25�C in removal efficiency, biogas production, and membrane fouling was studied using a submerged anaerobic membrane reactor (SAnMBR). Average 89% methanogenic degradation efficiency aswell as 90%, 94% and 96% removal of total chemical oxygen demand, biochemical oxygen demand, and nonionic surfactant were obtained. Results suggested that SAnMBR can effectively decouple organic degradation and nutrients disposal, and reserve all the N₂ and P in the effluent for further possible recovery. Small biomass yields of 0.11 g mixed liquor volatile suspended solids/gCOD were achieved, coupled to excellent CH₄ production efficiencies of 0.338 NLCH₄/gCOD,making SAnMBR an attractive technology characterized by low excess sludge production and high bioenergy recovery. Also, results revelaed the SAnMBR appeared to have the potential to bear a high food-to-microorganism ratio without any inhibition effect. Pore blocking dominated the membrane fouling behaviour at a relative long hydraulic retention time.