| Title |
A Novel Application of Recycled Ultrafiltration Membranes in an Aerobic Membrane Bioreactor (aMBR): A Proof-of-Concept Study |
| ID_Doc |
25655 |
| Authors |
Rodríguez-Sáez, L; Patsios, SI; Senán-Salinas, J; Landaburu-Aguirre, J; Molina, S; García-Calvo, E |
| Title |
A Novel Application of Recycled Ultrafiltration Membranes in an Aerobic Membrane Bioreactor (aMBR): A Proof-of-Concept Study |
| Year |
2022 |
| Published |
Membranes, 12, 2 |
| DOI |
10.3390/membranes12020218 |
| Abstract |
The use of recycled ultrafiltration (r-UF) membranes, originating from end-of-life reverse osmosis membranes, as submerged flat-sheet membranes in an aerobic membrane bioreactor (aMBR) system is described herein for the first time. A feasibility study of this new approach was performed in a laboratory-scale aMBR system. The r-UF membrane performance was evaluated in terms of permeability, fouling behavior, and permeate quality using a widely used commercial flat sheet microfiltration membrane (c-MF) as a reference. Tests were conducted under steady-flux operation (at 12 and 14 L center dot m(-2)center dot h(-1)) and a variable trans-membrane pressure. Synthetic wastewater simulating urban wastewater characteristics with approx. 0.4-0.5 g/L COD concentration was used as the feed. The obtained results showed that the rejection performance of the r-UF membrane was similar to the performance of the commercial flat sheet microfiltration membrane (c-MF) under comparable operating conditions. Moreover, concerning fouling behavior, the r-UF membrane exhibited higher fouling resistance compared with the c-MF membrane, although the permeability decline rate was lower. Both membranes had comparable fouling mechanisms behavior, with cake layer fouling resistance accounting for approx. 60% of the total fouling resistance. Finally, a preliminary economic assessment pointed out the potential competitiveness of using r-UF membranes for aMBRs (5.9-10.9 EUR center dot m(-2)) and the scaling-up challenges toward industrial applications. |
| Author Keywords |
membrane bioreactor (MBR); recycled ultrafiltration membrane; circular economy; recycling; cost analysis |
| Index Keywords |
Index Keywords |
| Document Type |
Other |
| Open Access |
Open Access |
| Source |
Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED) |
| EID |
WOS:000771975000001 |
| WoS Category |
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; Chemistry, Physical; Engineering, Chemical; Materials Science, Multidisciplinary; Polymer Science |
| Research Area |
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; Chemistry; Engineering; Materials Science; Polymer Science |
| PDF |
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/12/2/218/pdf?version=1644827460
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