Question

a) If a typical activated sludge treatment works is retrofitted to incorporate MBR process, explain how wastewater and sludge treatment lines in the treatment works need to be modified.

b) What are the effects of MBR installation on existing sludge handling approaches?

Answer 1

a) MBR is a pilot scale submerged membrane bioreactor. MBR has produced high quality effluent and have reduced sludge productions,

If activated sludge is retrofitted to incorporate MBR process then a MBR unit needs to be constructed of certain volume.There are certain parameters on whi9ch MBR works like MLSS,temperature,aeration intensity.These needs to be modified as per process.To access the feasibilty and performance MBR must be incorporated to 50-100 days. MBR have to be incorporated under different MLSS ,different temperatures and different aeration intensities.Another three department need to be designed for the checking of pollutant level of waste water,these departments are anaerobic tank,nitrification tank and memberane tank.A SRT(solid retention time ) of about 6 days is needed to be maintained by removing high concentrated mixed liquor.There is no need of applying additional buffer.

MBR uses the membrane which less dependent on 0₂  concentration of water and is more efficient.

b) Effect of MBR on existing sludge handling procedures:-

• Improved bio degradation.
• Produce certain micro organisms which leads to removal of refractory organic matter easily.
• Produce high quality effluent which is permissible for reuse.
• Low sludge production and small footprints.
• MBR is more effective in removing BPA,cholesterol,
• Removal of complex compounds like (-TTri),( 1,6 NDSA) is much easier.
• MBR can remove pharmaceutically active compounds more efficiently.