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The MBR Book: Principles and Applications of Membrane

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64 <strong>The</strong> <strong>MBR</strong> <strong>Book</strong><br />

Design<br />

EPS<br />

Free<br />

Bound<br />

Fouling<br />

Feed characteristics<br />

Biomass characteristics<br />

Floc characteristics<br />

Size<br />

Structure<br />

Reversible Irreversible<br />

liquor is generally mainly dictated by the nature <strong>of</strong> the feedwater from which it is<br />

generated. Similarly, the rigour <strong>of</strong> the pretreatment <strong>of</strong> the feedwater by screening<br />

has a significant impact on the clogging propensity.<br />

Whilst governing principles <strong>and</strong> the nature <strong>of</strong> inter-relationships can be appreciated<br />

(Fig. 2.26), actual operating conditions <strong>and</strong> the associated absolute operating<br />

parameter values can generally only be arrived at heuristically. Having said this, an<br />

underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong> the fundamentals <strong>of</strong> <strong>MBR</strong> design, operation <strong>and</strong> maintenance can<br />

proceed through a comprehensive examination <strong>of</strong> the biological, chemical <strong>and</strong> physical<br />

phenomena occurring in <strong>MBR</strong>s, since these interact to generate fouling through<br />

a number <strong>of</strong> mechanisms. In the following sections, the elements <strong>of</strong> the i<strong>MBR</strong> are<br />

considered in turn, namely the membrane itself (Section 2.3.5), the feedwater <strong>and</strong><br />

biomass characteristics (Section 2.3.6) <strong>and</strong> the operation <strong>and</strong> maintenance aspects<br />

(Section 2.3.7), with a view to appraising mechanisms <strong>of</strong> fouling (Section 2.3.8)<br />

<strong>and</strong>, ultimately, developing methods for its control (Section 2.3.9).<br />

2.3.5 <strong>Membrane</strong> characteristics<br />

Clogging<br />

<strong>Membrane</strong><br />

channels<br />

<strong>Membrane</strong> module characteristics<br />

Pore<br />

Size<br />

Shape<br />

Surface characteristics<br />

Porosity<br />

Charge/hydrophobicity<br />

Bulk characteristics<br />

Viscosity/rheology<br />

Hydrophobicity<br />

Configuration<br />

Geometry<br />

Dimensions<br />

Aerator<br />

ports<br />

Operation<br />

Retention time<br />

Hydraulic<br />

Solids<br />

Hydraulics<br />

flux<br />

TMP<br />

Cleaning<br />

Physical<br />

Chemical<br />

Figure 2.26 Inter-relationships between <strong>MBR</strong> parameters <strong>and</strong> fouling<br />

Aeration<br />

Design (port size)<br />

Mean flow rate<br />

Pulse rate<br />

Key membrane design parameters are configuration, that is, the geometry <strong>and</strong> flow<br />

direction (Section 2.1.3), the surface characteristics (normally denoted by the pore<br />

size <strong>and</strong> material but also including such things as the surface charge, hydrophobicity<br />

<strong>and</strong> porosity, pore tortuosity <strong>and</strong> shape, <strong>and</strong> crystallinity), <strong>and</strong> the inter-membrane

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