Optimización del rector de biopelícula soportada y oxigenada por membranas para el tratamiento de aguas residuales

Abstract

Membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) is presented as an alternative approach that may provide new more energy-effective wastewater treatment option. In the MABR oxygen is transferred into the biofilm straight by diffusion and without bubble formation. These features, give exceptional oxygen transfer characteristics, being possible to obtain energy savings up to 85% compared to conventional activated sludge processes. In this Thesis experiments were combined with modeling in order to provide a complementary knowledge to the MABR process. Strategies to overcome biofilm thickness limitation, and to minimize the detrimental effect of gas back-diffusion, were addressed. Findings obtained, evidenced that 1) MABRs combined with activated sludge (hybrid MABR) have potential applications for compact energy-efficient wastewater nutrient removal, and 2) periodic venting applied to the lumen of MABRs is a promising strategy which allows to maximize both oxygen transfer rates (OTRs) and oxygen transfer efficiencies (OTEs).