Feasibility of using NaCl to reduce membrane fouling in anaerobic membrane bioreactors.

ABSTRACT

The objective of this research study is to assess the feasibility of naturally occurring Na+ ions in wastewater as a possible coagulant to control the fouling of AnMBR under high salinity conditions. A multi-bladed stirrer was installed in the reactor, which aimed at providing a good mixing condition for inducing coagulation. The rotation speed of the stirrer was set at 30 rpm for achieving the coagulation effect. A sludge was cultured in a saline environment with sodium concentration as high as 13 g/L. It was observed that, the applied conditions could not provide a high saline sludge with a good filterability. In addition, results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that the functional groups of the cake layer formed by the saline sludge was similar to that of non-saline sludge, therefore, the high salinity should promote the formation of a gel layer.