Performance Evaluation of a Pilot-Scale Aerobic Granular Sludge Integrated with Gravity-Driven Membrane System Treating Domestic Wastewater
Muhammad Ali (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Trinity College Dublin)
Yogesh Singh (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology)
Luca Fortunato (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology)
Zahid Ur Rehman (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology)
Sarvajith Manjunath (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology)
J. S. Vrouwenvelder (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology)
M Pronk (TU Delft - BT/Environmental Biotechnology)
MCM van Loosdrecht (TU Delft - BT/Environmental Biotechnology)
Pascal E. Saikaly (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology)
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Abstract
This study describes a novel integration of aerobic granular sludge (AGS) with a gravity-driven membrane (GDM) system at a pilot scale with a treatment capacity of approximately 150 L per day to treat raw domestic wastewater. The treatment performance and energy consumption of the AGS-GDM system were compared to the neighboring full-scale aerobic membrane bioreactor (AeMBR), treating the same wastewater at about 4000(±500) m3 per day. The AGS-GDM system demonstrated superior nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) removal as compared to the AeMBR. The GDM unit was continuously supplied with AGS-treated effluent. The GDM unit started with high [ >20 L per m2 per h (LMH) ] flux, which gradually declined. The flux remained quite stable after 15 days reaching 3 LMH after 35 days without any physical or chemical cleaning. Our results suggest that AGS-GDM is a viable technology for decentralized wastewater treatment and reuse in water-scarce regions. The AGS-GDM could easily replace conventional AeMBR technology in the wastewater treatment and reclamation market.