Performance of an Electro-Conductive Moving Bed Membrane Bio Reactor (ECMB-MBR) using low-cost conductive media for domestic wastewater treatment | |
| Author | Mudiyanselage, Saumya Nirmali Amarakoon Amarakoon |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.EV-23-12 |
| Subject(s) | Membrane reactors Wastewater--Treatment |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Environmental Engineering and Management |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Membrane Bio Reactors (MBR) are improving their performance with different integrations. The combination of electrodes, membrane module and conductive media is Electro conductive Moving Bed Membrane Bio Reactor (EcMB-MBR) which enhances the nutrient removal, organic matter removal and membrane fouling mitigation of the membrane. Although the EcMB-MBR systems are spotted as the highest water quality improver among MBR technological systems, capital and operation costs are the main requirements when considering practical applications. To address this problem this research focuses on identifying the low-cost conductive media coating for the bio carriers. Polyurethane (PU) sponges were selected as the media due to their low density, inexpensiveness, robustness and resistance to damage. 100% Carbon Black (CB) by weight was combined with 0.0001 g of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate and 0.005 g of Polytetrafluoroethylene and 3 mL of Ethanol to prepare the carbon slurry. PU sponges dipped in a prepared carbon slurry and shaken for 1 hour in a Shaker. Then, oven dried for 15 minutes and finally washed with distilled water and dried for 30 minutes at 105 oC to eliminate the carbon dust on the surface. To get the continuously dispersed, higher conductive, coating, 100% weight of Carbon Black is suitable out of different weight percentages of Activated Carbon (AC), CB and Carbon Nanotube (CNT). The conductivity of the CB coating is increased with the number of coating times. Calculated Conductivity measurements by Kelvin Four probe testing and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images proved that optimum conductivity, continuously dispersed carbon coating and better carbon accumulation could be achieved by 3 times coating of 100% weight percentage CB coating and EcMB-MBR reactor fabrication proceeded with that. The conductivity of the reactor system was improved by increasing the packing density of the conductive media in the system. The cost for 3 times of CB coating is 390.75 Baht which is a lower cost compared with other studies. An EcMB-MBR showed the optimum performance on nutrient removal and organic matter removal compared with the EMBR reactor. The average COD, TN, and TP removal efficiencies at the optimum condition of an EcMB-MBR are equal to 97.71 ± 0.64%, 88.89 ± 1.00%, and 98.79 ± 1.65% when compared to 95.93 ± 0.89%, 84.73 ± 2.37%, and 97.15 ± 0.38% in an EMBR reactor. EcMB-MBR system could eliminate the membrane fouling by 16.4% when compared to the bEPS values of the two reactors. |
| Year | 2023 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Environmental Engineering and Management (EV) |
| Chairperson(s) | Xue, Wenchao |
| Examination Committee(s) | Bora, Tanujjal; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Thai Pipe Scholarship;Asian Institute of Technology Scholarships |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2023 |