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Effect of Powdered Activated Carbon to Reduce Fouling in Membrane Bioreactors: A Sustainable Solution. Case Study

Author

Listed:
  • Vincenzo Torretta

    (Department of Science and High Technology, Insubria University, Via G.B. Vico 46, Varese I-21100, Italy)

  • Giordano Urbini

    (Department of Science and High Technology, Insubria University, Via G.B. Vico 46, Varese I-21100, Italy)

  • Massimo Raboni

    (Department of Science and High Technology, Insubria University, Via G.B. Vico 46, Varese I-21100, Italy)

  • Sabrina Copelli

    (Department of Science and High Technology, Insubria University, Via G.B. Vico 46, Varese I-21100, Italy)

  • Paolo Viotti

    (Department of Civil, Building and Environmental Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, Rome I-00184, Italy)

  • Antonella Luciano

    (Department of Civil, Building and Environmental Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, Rome I-00184, Italy)

  • Giuseppe Mancini

    (Department of Industrial and Mechanical Engineering, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, Catania I-95125, Italy)

Abstract

Membrane Bio Reactors (MBRs) are mainly used for industrial wastewaters applications where their costs can be more easily afforded. High costs are basically due to energy consumption and membrane cleaning or replacement. Membrane fouling is responsible for reducing treated water production and increasing maintenance as well as operation costs. According to previous researches, the addition of Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC) in high dosages could reduce membrane fouling; but such concentrations are economically unsustainable for operative conditions. A MBR pilot plant, fed by mixed liquor of a full-scale activated sludge process from a municipal wastewater treatment plant, was operated dosing low PAC concentrations (0, 2, 5, 10 and 20 mg·L −1 , respectively). Experiments were also carried out at two different temperatures corresponding to summer and winter conditions. Results indicated that PAC addition was effective at the low dosages (2 and 5 mg·L −1 ) by reducing the permeate flux loss (from 16 up to 27%, respectively) while higher PAC concentrations turns out in a useless cost increase.

Suggested Citation

  • Vincenzo Torretta & Giordano Urbini & Massimo Raboni & Sabrina Copelli & Paolo Viotti & Antonella Luciano & Giuseppe Mancini, 2013. "Effect of Powdered Activated Carbon to Reduce Fouling in Membrane Bioreactors: A Sustainable Solution. Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 5(4), pages 1-9, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:5:y:2013:i:4:p:1501-1509:d:24742
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Marco Barozzi & Sabrina Copelli & Eleonora Russo & Paolo Sgarbossa & Maria Cristina Lavagnolo & Annalisa Sandon & Cristiana Morosini & Elisabetta Sieni, 2022. "Implementation of Magnetic Nanostructured Adsorbents for Heavy Metals Separation from Textile Wastewater," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-13, September.
    2. Vincenzo Torretta, 2014. "The Sustainable Use of Water Resources: A Technical Support for Planning. A Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(11), pages 1-21, November.
    3. Vincenzo Torretta & Marco Ragazzi & Ettore Trulli & Giovanni De Feo & Giordano Urbini & Massimo Raboni & Elena Cristina Rada, 2014. "Assessment of Biological Kinetics in a Conventional Municipal WWTP by Means of the Oxygen Uptake Rate Method," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(4), pages 1-15, April.
    4. Massimo Raboni & Vincenzo Torretta & Paolo Viotti & Giordano Urbini, 2013. "Pilot Experimentation with Complete Mixing Anoxic Reactors to Improve Sewage Denitrification in Treatment Plants in Small Communities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(1), pages 1-11, December.
    5. Giordano Urbini & Renato Gavasci & Paolo Viotti, 2015. "Oxygen Control and Improved Denitrification Efficiency by Means of a Post-Anoxic Reactor," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(2), pages 1-12, January.
    6. Cristiana Morosini & Milena Marsoni & Vincenzo Torretta & Fabio Conti & Marco Ragazzi & Elena Cristina Rada & Gabriela Cioca, 2017. "Factors Affecting Spatial and Temporal Concentration Variability of Pharmaceuticals: Comparison between Two WWTPs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-15, August.
    7. Massimo Raboni & Vincenzo Torretta & Giordano Urbini, 2013. "Influence of Strong Diurnal Variations in Sewage Quality on the Performance of Biological Denitrification in Small Community Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 5(9), pages 1-11, August.

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