Authors: Liao, B Q.; Liss, S N.

Source: Journal of Environmental Engineering and Science, Volume 6, Number 2, March 2007 , pp. 247-252(6)

Publisher: NRC Research Press

Abstract:

The concept of thermophilic membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) was investigated for the first time and examined for its potential to treat a high strength synthetic wastewater. Biofilms at 55 °C were successfully grown on gas permeable silicone hollow fiber membranes. At a feed chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 1200 mg/L and a reaction time of 1 d, COD removal efficiency (90%) of the thermophilic MABR (55 °C) was much higher than that (67%) of the mesophilic MABR operated at 18-28 °C. Biofilms in the thermophilic reactor were less thick, more hydrophobic, and less negatively charged. This study indicated that MABRs operated at thermophilic temperatures could be an effective means for controlling biofilm thickness and for the treatment of warm high strength organic waste.Key words: membrane aerated biofilm reactor, thermophilic biofilm, mesophilic biofilm, biofilm characterization, COD removal.

Le concept du réacteur à biofilm aéré à membrane thermophile (MABR) a été étudié pour la première fois et examiné pour son potentiel à traiter des eaux usées artificielles fortement chargées. Des biofilms à 55 °C ont été cultivés avec succès sur des membranes de silicone à fibres creuses perméables au gaz. À une DCO d'alimentation de 1200 mg/L et un temps de réaction de 1 jour, l'efficacité d'élimination de la DCO (90 %) de la MABR thermophile (55 °C) était de beaucoup supérieure à celle (67 %) de la MABR mésophile fonctionnant entre 18-28 °C. Les biofilms dans le réacteur thermophile étaient moins épais, plus hydrophobes, et avaient une charge négative inférieure. Cette étude indique que les MABR fonctionnant à des températures thermophiles pourraient constituer un moyen efficace pour contrôler l'épaisseur des biofilms et traiter de déchets organiques chauds fortement chargés.Mots clés : bioréacteur aéré à membrane, biofilm thermophile, biofilm mésophile, caractérisation du biofilm, élimination de la DCO.[Traduit par la rédaction]

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2007-03-01

More about this publication?

• Since January 2002, NRC Research Press has published the Journal of Environmental Engineering and Science. During the seven-year history of the journal, the co-editors, Dr. Donald S. Mavinic and Dr. Daniel W. Smith, built a high-quality journal that was well respected by its community of researchers in Canada and around the world. The last issues of the Journal of Environmental Engineering and Science was published in November 2008 together with a supplement.

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