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Membranes
Special Issues
Modelling, Optimization and Applications of Membrane Bioreactors for Resource Recovery
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Modelling, Optimization and Applications of Membrane Bioreactors for Resource Recovery

A special issue of Membranes (ISSN 2077-0375). This special issue belongs to the section "Membrane Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2022) | Viewed by 10511

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ángel Robles Martínez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
CALAGUA – Unidad Mixta UV-UPV, Departament D'Enginyeria Química, Universitat de València, València, Spain
Interests: modelling; control; membrane bioreactors; resource recovery
Dr. Joaquim Comas

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Chemical and Environmental Engineering (LEQUIA), Institute of the Environment, University of Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain
Interests: multi-criteria decision support tools for environmental systems; sustainable and integrated management of urban water systems (sewer system, wastewater treatment plant and receiving media); qualitative modeling; life cycle assessment and water footprint of urban water systems; modeling and control of wastewater treatment technologies; membrane integrated systems (membrane bioreactors coupled with RO/NF) for water reuse; Removal of emerging pollutants in wastewater systems
Prof. Dr. Giorgio Mannina

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Ambientale, Aerospaziale, dei Materiali Università di Palermo Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 8, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Interests: wastewater treatment processes; mathematical modelling for environmental water quality; uncertainty and sensitivity analysis; urban drainage; greenhouse gas emissions; integrated urban drainage water quality management; solid waste landfill modelling; solid waste management

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Increasing water stress, the necessity of reducing energy demand and carbon footprint, and the increased depletion of resources such as fossil fuels or rare materials has boosted the necessity of applying a new, green development model. The Circular Economy (CE) aims at transforming non-renewable raw-material transformation economy models into a self-sufficient cradle-to-cradle bio-based economy, since the generated waste is considered a source of valuable resources. Membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology can build the foundations for moving from current wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) toward water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) based on a CE perspective.

However, due to the complex interactions between the biological process and membrane filtration, it is difficult to determine the optimal way to operate a MBR-based system. The integration of knowledge surrounding MBR technology into mathematical models allows testing hypotheses on functional interactions in the system, as well as predicting system behavior. Nonetheless, despite the efforts performed in MBR modeling, this topic is not fully matured, and a widely accepted general modeling approach able to cover all system variables does not exist yet.

MBR-based systems must be also optimized to enhance resource recovery with minimum input energy and costs. In this context, efficient control strategies are important to optimize both biological and filtration operations. Different control tools have been proposed for MBR-based systems optimization, involving a range from simple flux control to advanced control for the integrated system. In addition, by combining control and mathematical multicriteria optimization tools with energy modeling, it is also possible to select optimum design and operating alternatives aimed at meeting the desired modeling and optimization goal. Furthermore, the environmental impact could also be optimized by incorporating a life cycle assessment (LCA) perspective, while overall costs could be optimized through life cycle costing (LCC).

This Special Issue is devoted to state-of-the-art research on the topics surrounding the modeling, optimization, industrial applications of different MBR-based systems for resource recovery. It covers but is not limited to all the aspects associated with design and application of MBRs, biological, filtration, and integrated modeling, energy modeling, control and mathematical multicriteria optimization tools and LCA/LCC evaluation.

Dr. Ángel Robles Martínez
Prof. Dr. Giorgio Mannina
Dr. Joaquim Comas
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Membranes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • MBR-based systems
  • Resource recovery
  • Filtration models
  • Biological models
  • Integrated models
  • Soluble microbial products modeling
  • Data-driven models
  • Uncertainty
  • Online control and optimization
  • Multicriteria optimization
  • Life cycle analysis
  • Life cycle costing
  • Environmental footprint

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

27 pages, 1957 KiB  
Article
Membrane BioReactor (MBR) Activated Sludge Surrogate Alternatives Carboxymethyl Cellulose and Xanthan Gum: A Statistical Analysis and Review
by Nicolás Ratkovich and Rafael Amaya-Gómez
Membranes 2022, 12(10), 909; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12100909 - 20 Sep 2022
Viewed by 1207
Abstract
Membrane Bioreactors (MBR) combine traditional biological treatments such as Activated Sludge (AS) with a membrane-based filtration process to extract suspended and organic solids. MBR operation involves high shear rates near the membrane surface due to the high crossflow velocity, which complicates any simulation [...] Read more.
Membrane Bioreactors (MBR) combine traditional biological treatments such as Activated Sludge (AS) with a membrane-based filtration process to extract suspended and organic solids. MBR operation involves high shear rates near the membrane surface due to the high crossflow velocity, which complicates any simulation process from a hydrodynamic point of view. In this regard, the viscosity as a function of total suspended solids (TSS) plays an essential role in characterizing and modeling the behavior of activated sludge (AS). However, AS has an intransparency property that prevents experimental measurements (i.e., velocity profiles) commonly associated with optical techniques from being peformed. In light of this limitation, two polymeric compounds, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and xanthan gum (XG), are considered here in order to explore the possibility of mimicking the rheological behavior of AS. These compounds are commonly used in the food industry as food thickeners, and their rheological behavior is supposedly well defined in the literature. In this work, we reviewed the viscosity behavior of these compounds through their reported flow behavior and consistency indexes. It was found that the rheological properties of these two polymers differ depending on the chemical manufacturer, rheometers, and measurement protocols involved. Different curves (shear rate vs. viscosity/shear stress) are obtained, as each device and procedure seem to modify the polymer structure. Therefore, a statistical analysis was performed based on the flow and consistency indexes using different concentrations and temperatures reported in experimental data. Several insights regarding CMC, XG, and AS performance were obtained, including a better relationship with concentration than with temperature or certain exponential-based performances, which can support further MBR design and operational decision-making. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modelling, Optimization and Applications of Membrane Bioreactors for Resource Recovery)
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15 pages, 2785 KiB  
Article
The Biological Performance of a Novel Electrokinetic-Assisted Membrane Photobioreactor (EK-MPBR) for Wastewater Treatment
by Maryam Amini, Eltayeb Mohamedelhassan and Baoqiang Liao
Membranes 2022, 12(6), 587; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12060587 - 31 May 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1641
Abstract
Developing an effective phycoremediation system, especially by utilizing microalgae, could provide a valuable approach in wastewater treatment for simultaneous nutrient removal and biomass generation, which would help control environmental pollution. This research aims to study the impact of low-voltage direct current (DC) application [...] Read more.
Developing an effective phycoremediation system, especially by utilizing microalgae, could provide a valuable approach in wastewater treatment for simultaneous nutrient removal and biomass generation, which would help control environmental pollution. This research aims to study the impact of low-voltage direct current (DC) application on Chlorella vulgaris properties and the removal efficiency of nutrients (N and P) in a novel electrokinetic-assisted membrane photobioreactor (EK-MPBR) in treating synthetic municipal wastewater. Two membrane photobioreactors ran in parallel for 49 days with and without an applied electric field (current density: 0.261 A/m2). Mixed liquid suspended soils (MLSS) concentration, chemical oxygen demand (COD), floc morphology, total phosphorus (TP), and total nitrogen (TN) removals were measured during the experiments. The results showed that EK-MPBR achieved biomass production comparable to the control MPBR. In EK-MPBR, an over 97% reduction in phosphate concentration was achieved compared to 41% removal in the control MPBR. The control MPBR outperformed the nitrogen removal of EK-MPBR (68% compared to 43% removal). Induced DC electric field led to lower pH, lower zeta potential, and smaller particle sizes in the EK-MPBR as compared with MPBR. The results of this novel study investigating the incorporation of Chlorella vulgar is in an electrokinetic-assisted membrane photobioreactor indicate that this is a promising technology for wastewater treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modelling, Optimization and Applications of Membrane Bioreactors for Resource Recovery)
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17 pages, 3653 KiB  
Article
Dynamic Membranes for Enhancing Resources Recovery from Municipal Wastewater
by Pau Sanchis-Perucho, Daniel Aguado, José Ferrer, Aurora Seco and Ángel Robles
Membranes 2022, 12(2), 214; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12020214 - 12 Feb 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2105
Abstract
This paper studied the feasibility of using dynamic membranes (DMs) to treat municipal wastewater (MWW). Effluent from the primary settler of a full-scale wastewater treatment plant was treated using a flat 1 µm pore size open monofilament polyamide woven mesh as supporting material. [...] Read more.
This paper studied the feasibility of using dynamic membranes (DMs) to treat municipal wastewater (MWW). Effluent from the primary settler of a full-scale wastewater treatment plant was treated using a flat 1 µm pore size open monofilament polyamide woven mesh as supporting material. Two supporting material layers were required to self-form a DM in the short-term (17 days of operation). Different strategies (increasing the filtration flux, increasing the concentration of operating solids and coagulant dosing) were used to enhance the required forming time and pollutant capture efficiency. Higher permeate flux and increased solids were shown to be ineffective while coagulant dosing showed improvements in both the required DM forming time and permeate quality. When coagulant was dosed (10 mg L−1) a DM forming time of 7 days and a permeate quality of total suspended solids, chemical oxygen demand, total nitrogen, total phosphorous and turbidity of 24 mg L−1, 58 mg L−1, 38.1 mg L−1, 1.2 mg L−1 and 22 NTU, respectively, was achieved. Preliminary energy and economic balances determined that energy recoveries from 0.032 to 0.121 kWh per m3 of treated water at a cost between €0.002 to €0.003 per m3 of treated water can be obtained from the particulate material recovered in the DM. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modelling, Optimization and Applications of Membrane Bioreactors for Resource Recovery)
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16 pages, 1931 KiB  
Article
A New Activated Sludge Model with Membrane Separation–Implications for Sewage and Textile Effluent
by Derin Orhon, Ayse Begum Yucel, Guclu Insel, Seyda Duba, Tugba Olmez-Hanci, Bulent Solmaz and Seval Sözen
Membranes 2021, 11(8), 589; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11080589 - 31 Jul 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2062
Abstract
A new model for the activated sludge process with membrane separation is presented, based on the effective filtration size. A new size threshold is imposed by the membrane module. The model structure requires a modified fractionation of the chemical oxygen demand and includes [...] Read more.
A new model for the activated sludge process with membrane separation is presented, based on the effective filtration size. A new size threshold is imposed by the membrane module. The model structure requires a modified fractionation of the chemical oxygen demand and includes chemical oxygen demand fractions entrapped in the reactor or in the flocs as model components. This way, it offers an accurate mechanistic interpretation of microbial mechanisms taking place in membrane activated sludge systems. Denim processing wastewater was selected for model implementation, which emphasized the significance of entrapped fractions of soluble hydrolysable and soluble inert chemical oxygen demand responsible for better effluent quality, while underlining the shortcomings of existing activated sludge models prescribed for systems with conventional gravity settling. The model also introduced particle size distribution analysis as a new experimental instrument complementing respirometric assessments, for an accurate description of chemical oxygen demand fractions with different biodegradation characteristics in related model evaluations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modelling, Optimization and Applications of Membrane Bioreactors for Resource Recovery)
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14 pages, 4124 KiB  
Article
Coupling of Immobilized Photosynthetic Bacteria with a Graphene Oxides/PSF Composite Membrane for Textile Wastewater Treatment: Biodegradation Performance and Membrane Anti-Fouling Behavior
by Jing Cheng, Xiaofeng Wu, Binbin Jin, Chenchen Zhang, Rongwei Zheng and Lei Qin
Membranes 2021, 11(3), 226; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11030226 - 22 Mar 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2404
Abstract
The membrane bioreactor (MBR), as one of the promising technologies, has been widely applied for treatments of wastewater. However, serious membrane fouling and low microbial activity have been reported as major problems hindering the development of the MBR. To overcome these drawbacks, we [...] Read more.
The membrane bioreactor (MBR), as one of the promising technologies, has been widely applied for treatments of wastewater. However, serious membrane fouling and low microbial activity have been reported as major problems hindering the development of the MBR. To overcome these drawbacks, we intend to improve the MBR process in the view of membrane surface modification and efficient granular bacteria cultivation. In the present study, immobilized photosynthetic bacteria integration with graphene oxide (GO)/polysulfone (PSF) composite membrane separation (IPMBR) was first applied for textile wastewater treatment. Due to the high activity of immobilized cells, the IPMBR system exhibited higher efficiency on the removal of color, ammonia–nitrogen, and chemical oxygen demand than the conventional MBR system. In comparison with a pure PSF membrane, GO/PSF composite membrane presented the higher hydrophilicity (water contact angles of 62.9°) and more attractive permeability (178.5 L/m2h) by reducing the adhesion of hydrophobic foulants. During the whole operation, the immobilized photobioreactor exhibited approximately seven times higher membrane permeability that that of the conventional MBR. Meanwhile, the effect of the structure and character of immobilized photosynthetic bacteria on the membrane fouling reduction was investigated in detail. The change of extracellular polymeric substance concentration, settleability and particle size of flocs was very beneficial to alleviate membrane fouling. As a result, this research will open a new avenue for developing efficient and anti-fouling MBR technology in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modelling, Optimization and Applications of Membrane Bioreactors for Resource Recovery)
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