Submerged Membrane Bioreactor (sMBR): a promising alternative to wastewater treatment for water reuse

  • Eduardo Lucas Subtil Universidade Federal de São Paulo
  • Ivanildo Hespanhol Universidade de São Paulo
  • José Carlos Mierzwa Universidade de São Paulo
Keywords: advanced wastewater treatment, membranes, water reuse

Abstract

Treatment technology for wastewater treatment and reuse encompasses a vast number of options, and the Submerged Membrane Bioreactor is regarded as a key element for the role it can play in water reuse schemes. Thus, this study aimed to present and discuss the current status of sMBR implementation, as well as to present the results of a pilot plant with submerged flat sheet membranes treating wastewater from the residence halls and the restaurant of the University of São Paulo. The pilot plant was operated under stationary conditions over a period of 90 days with a concentration of 3422 ± 693 mg TSS/L. The results showed that the system can produce an effluent with low concentrations of color, turbidity, COD and BOD5 with values of 25 uC, 0.29 NTU, 5.5 mg O2/L and 24 mg O2/L, respectively. Furthermore, the ultrafiltration membranes used were able to reduce the density of pathogen indicators, with removal of 7 and 6 log of thermotolerant coliforms and E. coli respectively, resulting with concentrations of 9,3 ± 21,0 e 1,8 ± 4,0 MPN/100 mL, respectively.

Author Biographies

Eduardo Lucas Subtil, Universidade Federal de São Paulo
P
Ivanildo Hespanhol, Universidade de São Paulo
Prof. Titutal do Departamento de Engenharia Hidráulica e Ambiental e Diretor do Centro Internacional de Referência em Reúso de Água da Universidade de São Paulo. Av. Prof. Lúcio Martins Rodrigues, 120, Butantã, São Paulo - SP. http://lattes.cnpq.br/1968858682888728
José Carlos Mierzwa, Universidade de São Paulo
Prof. Livre Docente do Departamento de Engenharia Hidráulica e Ambiental da Universidade de São Paulo. Av. Prof. Almeida Prado, 83 - Prédio da Engenharia Civil/PHA. Butantã, São Paulo-SP. http://lattes.cnpq.br/0952130145931304
Published
19/12/2013
Section
Papers