Fouling in membrane bioreactors used in wastewater treatment推荐.pdfVIP

Journal of Membrane Science 284 (2006) 17–53 Review Fouling in membrane bioreactors used in wastewater treatment Pierre Le-Clech ∗, Vicki Chen, Tony A.G. Fane UNESCO Centre for Membrane Science and Technology, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, NSW, Australia Received 11 April 2006; received in revised form 10 August 2006; accepted 11 August 2006 Available online 24 August 2006 Abstract The membrane bioreactor (MBR) can no longer be considered as a novel process. This reliable and efficient technology has become a legitimate alternative to conventional activated sludge processes and an option of choice for many domestic and industrial applications. However, membrane fouling and its consequences in terms of plant maintenance and operating costs limit the widespread application of MBRs. To provide a better understanding of the complex fouling mechanisms and propensities occurring in MBR processes, this review compiles and analyses more than 300 publications. This paper also proposes updated definitions of key parameters such as critical and sustainable flux, along with standard methods to determine and measure the different fractions of the biomass. Although there is no clear consensus on the exact phenomena occurring on the membrane interface during activated sludge filtration, many publications indicate that the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) play a major role during fouling formation. More precisely, the carbohydrate fraction from the so