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REDUCING BIOFOULING IN MEMBRANE BIOREACTORS TREATING SYNTHETIC EARLY PLANETARY BASE WASTEWATER

ZHANG, KAI
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1189560153

Abstract Details

2007, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Engineering : Environmental Engineering.
Membrane bioreactors (MBRs) are promising technology for ground based wastewater treatment. Recently, MBRs are also being considered to be used as a component in the integrated water recovery system for long duration manned space missions. For long term manned space travel, the major operational problem for MBRs is membrane biofouling. The current research studied the influence of MBR loading/decanting patterns on membrane biofouling. The central hypothesis of this study was: MBR loading/decanting patterns could lead to different sludge properties resulting in different level of membrane biofouling. To test the central hypothesis, experiments covered the following aspects of MBRs treating synthetic Early Planetary Base Wastewater (EPBW) were carried out: 1) organic removal and nitrification performance; 2) influence of MBR loading/decanting patterns (continuous mode vs. batch mode) on sludge properties; 3) influence of MBR loading/decanting patterns on microbial community structure of the planktonic biomass; 4) influence of MBR loading/decanting patterns on membrane filtration characteristics; and 5) the potential pioneer species that could attach to membrane surface in cross-flow microfiltration. The results of this study suggested that 1) MBRs is a promising process as the preliminary treatment of the synthetic EPBW by showing excellent organic removal and nitrification; 2) MBR loading/decanting patterns impact the chemical/physical properties as well as the microbial community structure of the planktonic (suspended) biomass. Particularly, the physical/chemical properties of the sludge in the MBR with batch mode could result in less membrane fouling; 3) Sludge in the MBR with batch loading/decanting correlated with less membrane fouling in both cross-flow and submerged filtrations; and 4) Specific microbial populations could be pioneers that firmly attach to microfiltration membranes at the initial stage of membrane biofouling. The findings of the current study provided novel information on the treatment of EPBW by using MBR technology that could also be used for the design and operation of MBRs for ground-based high strength wastewater treatment. More importantly, the results of this research suggested that the loading/decanting operation of the bioreactor components of MBRs could lead to different levels of membrane biofouling. Future design and operation of MBRs, for both long duration manned space mission and ground-based applications, should consider the operating condition of the bioreactor to further reduce the cost and enhance the stability of MBRs. As one of the early steps towards the mechanisms of membrane biofouling, molecular analysis suggested that specific microbial populations could be responsible for the initiation of membrane biofouling. This result could be an important connection between engineering and microbiological research for biofilm/biofouling formation.
Dr. Daniel Oerther (Advisor)
228 p.
Engineering, Environmental
Biofouling; Early planetary base wastewater; Loading pattern; Long duration space mission; Membrane bioreactor

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • ZHANG, K. (2007). REDUCING BIOFOULING IN MEMBRANE BIOREACTORS TREATING SYNTHETIC EARLY PLANETARY BASE WASTEWATER [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1189560153

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • ZHANG, KAI. REDUCING BIOFOULING IN MEMBRANE BIOREACTORS TREATING SYNTHETIC EARLY PLANETARY BASE WASTEWATER. 2007. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1189560153.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • ZHANG, KAI. "REDUCING BIOFOULING IN MEMBRANE BIOREACTORS TREATING SYNTHETIC EARLY PLANETARY BASE WASTEWATER." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2007. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1189560153

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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© 2007, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.