Design and operational considerations of an Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor

Abstract

Anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) as a technology has grown as a prominent means of sustainable biological treatment, especially in the recent due to environmental concerns, due to less energy and space requirements, less sludge production, and methane production, which, through cogeneration can make help the system reach energy neutrality. However, membrane cost and the problem of membrane fouling remain the major issues in its widespread use. Pastry production and the resulting wastewater poses a threat to the environment due to its high biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentrations which can result in significant costs on the treatment plant. High organic strength in such wastewater make AnMBR a good choice for its treatment. This thesis reviews the current state of MBR technology and presents an AnMBR type solution to a large-scale pastry producing facility, while also striving for energy-recovery technologies through cogeneration. The proposed AnMBR design can theoretically achieve COD removal rates as high as 95% as well as a daily methane production of 2700 Nm3 or of 3,7 kWh/kg BOD removed; Keywords: