Removal of nitrogen and organic matter in a submerged-membrane bioreactor operating in a condition of simultaneous nitrification and denitrification

  • Izabela Major Barbosa Universidade de São Paulo - EPUSP Av. Prof. Almeida Prado, 83 - Travessa 2, Prédio da Eng. Civil - Dpto de Eng. Hidráulica e Ambiental, São Paulo/SP, CEP 05508-900.
  • José Carlos Mierzwa Universidade de São Paulo - EPUSP Av. Prof. Almeida Prado, 83 - Travessa 2, Prédio da Eng. Civil - Dpto de Eng. Hidráulica e Ambiental, São Paulo/SP, CEP 05508-900.
  • Ivanildo Hespanhol Universidade de São Paulo - CIRRA Avenida Professor Lúcio Martins Rodrigues, 120, Butantã, CEP 05508-900.
  • Eduardo Lucas Subtil Universidade Federal do ABC, Centro de Engenharia, Modelagem e Ciências Sociais Aplicadas. Avenida dos Estados Santa Teresinha 09210580 - Santo André, SP - Brasil
Keywords: intermittent aeration, membrane bioreactor, nitrogen removal, organic matter removal.

Abstract

This study evaluated the removal of nitrogen and organic matter in a membrane bioreactor system operating in a condition of simultaneous nitrification and denitrification controlled by intermittent aeration. A submerged-membrane system in a bioreactor was used in a pilot scale to treat domestic wastewater. The dissolved oxygen concentration was maintained between 0.5 and 0.8 mg L-1. The concentration of the mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) in the system ranged from 1 to 6 g L-1. The system efficiency was evaluated by the removal efficiency of organic matter, quantified by Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5) and Total Organic Carbon (TOC). Nitrogen removal was assessed by quantifying Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) and ammonia nitrogen. During the system start-up, the removal efficiencies of COD and NTK were around 90% and 80%, respectively. After the simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) conditions were established, the removal efficiencies of COD and NTK were 70% and 99%, respectively. These results showed that sewage treatment with the membrane bioreactor (MBR) system, operating with simultaneous nitrification and denitrification conditions, was able to remove organic matter and promote nitrification and denitrification in a single reactor, producing a high-quality permeate.

Author Biographies

Izabela Major Barbosa, Universidade de São Paulo - EPUSP Av. Prof. Almeida Prado, 83 - Travessa 2, Prédio da Eng. Civil - Dpto de Eng. Hidráulica e Ambiental, São Paulo/SP, CEP 05508-900.
Izabela graduated in Environmental Engineering from the Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho (2008). She has a master degree in Civil Engineering from the State University of Campinas (2012) and specializes in Occupational Safety Engineering from Universidade São Francisco (2013). She is currently a doctoral student at the University of São Paulo - Polytechnic School (fellow FAPESP). She has experience in Environmental Sciences with an emphasis on water treatment and effluent, mainly in the following themes: bioreactors with membranes, advanced oxidation processes, leechate, pharmaceuticals in water and toxicity.
José Carlos Mierzwa, Universidade de São Paulo - EPUSP Av. Prof. Almeida Prado, 83 - Travessa 2, Prédio da Eng. Civil - Dpto de Eng. Hidráulica e Ambiental, São Paulo/SP, CEP 05508-900.
Postdoc at the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Harvard (2011), PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of São Paulo (2002), Master in Nuclear Technology from the University of São Paulo (1996) and a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Mogi das Cruzes (1989). He is currently a research professor at the University of São Paulo. He has experience in the area of Sanitary Engineering, with emphasis on Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, acting on the following topics: water, reuse, treatment, waste, conservation, planning, management and environmental quality and cleaner production. Also works in the development of projects of water treatment systems and wastewater and membrane separation processes.The current research line is related to the modification of polymeric membranes for use in the treatment of water and wastewater and ceramic membranes for separating methane and carbon dioxide. Research related to the modification of polymeric membranes has collaboration with the School of Engineering and Sciences of Harvard Applied and associated with the development of ceramic membranes with the Department of Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London.
Ivanildo Hespanhol, Universidade de São Paulo - CIRRA Avenida Professor Lúcio Martins Rodrigues, 120, Butantã, CEP 05508-900.
Graduated in Civil Eng. (1961) and Eng. Sanitary (1968) from the University of São Paulo, Master in Sanitary Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley (1972), PhD in Sanitary Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, ( 1975) and a PhD in Public Health from the University of São Paulo (1968). He is currently a professor at the University of São Paulo and Director of the International Reference Centre for Water Reuse (Cirra / IRCWR) of the University of São Paulo. He has experience in the area of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, acting on the following topics: conservation and water reuse; water resources management; advanced systems for sewage and industrial wastewater treatment, including membrane systems, oxidative processes, biological membranes reactors, etc.
Eduardo Lucas Subtil, Universidade Federal do ABC, Centro de Engenharia, Modelagem e Ciências Sociais Aplicadas. Avenida dos Estados Santa Teresinha 09210580 - Santo André, SP - Brasil
PhD in Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering from the University of São Paulo (2012), master's degree in Environmental Engineering and a degree in Oceanography from the Federal University of Espírito Santo (2007). He is currently Assistant Professor in Environmental Engineering Course of the Environmental Sanitation and Urban and a graduate degree in Environmental Science and Technology, Federal University of ABC (UFABC). He is also collaborator researcher at the International Reference Center on Water Reuse (Cirra) the University of São Paulo. He has experience in the area of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, works mainly with the following themes: sewage treatment, industrial wastewater treatment, water reuse, bioreactors with submerged membranes, nutrient removal, quality models of water and ocean outfalls.
Published
15/04/2016
Issue
Vol. 11 No. 2 (2016)
Section
Papers

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