Analysis of Hydrophobic Membrane Fouling on the COD Loading Rates at the State of Passive Adsorption in Membrane Bioreactor

This paper investigated the membrane fouling potential at the state of passive adsorption which is no permeation with the test modules on COD (Chemical oxygen demand) loading rates, examined the recovery rate and resistance on membrane fouling by three cleaning manners of hydrophobic membrane in a bioreactor. The results showed that high COD loading led to the increase of extra-cellular polymeric substances and filtration resistance. The permeability resistance from 1st day to 63rd day was getting increased, however, the value of permeability resistance after 63th day during the operation period was almost same level at three COD loading rates, it was due that the biomass adhesion on membrane surface at the state of passive adsorption reached to the critical state. Also, the final recovery rates after three cleaning manners were 78%, 72% and 69% at the COD loading concentrations of 250 mg/L, 500 mg/L and 750 mg/L respectively, and then recovery rate by physical cleaning at Run 2 and Run 3 was decreased after 40th day, it proved that biomass cake, which is not easily removed, was formed on the membrane surface because of high COD loading rate and EPS concentration.