PERFORMANCE OF AIRLIFT MEMBRANE BIOREACTOR TREATING WASTEWATER FROM INDUSTRIAL PARK IN HO CHI MINH CITY

Abstract

This study investigated operational performance and fouling behavior of Airlift Membrane Bioreactor (AMBR) system for industrial wastewater treatment. Pilot scale study of AMBR was carried out at central wastewater treatment plant (CWWTP) of Tan Binh industrial park in Ho Chi Minh city, Viet Nam. The influent wastewater of AMBR was taken directly from equalization tank of CWWTP with the concentrations of COD and colour level was 350 ± 48 mg/L and 313 ±30 Pt-Co, respectively. The effluent quality from the AMBR system was relatively compared with the existing full-scale Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR). The AMBR with external tubular membrane module was maintained at the hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 9.6 h and sludge retention time (SRT) of 30 days, and flux of 30 LMH (L/m2.h). It is observed that the AMBR was in stable operation with the flux for months. The COD and colour of membrane permeate was 15 ± 6 mg/L and 35 ± 5 Pt-Co, respectively. Membrane permeate was free of suspended solids. In addition, membrane fouling was controlled and occurred very slowly during the study period. Only one chemical enhanced backwash was applied in every two months of operation. This reveals the treated water quality of AMBR could meet the Viet Nam national technical regulation for industrial wastewater (level A, QCVN 24:2009/ BTNMT) and water reuse standards. This airlift membrane bioreactor system could be an attractive technology for water reuse purpose for industrial parks in near future.