Hello Experts,
Can anyone explain how the Biofilm thickness is controlled in Membrane Bioreactors?
Membrane bioreactors (MBRs) have been broadly exploited for the treatment of municipal and industrial wastewaters . The averages of the biofilm thickness are based on atleast three independent determinations. It has been shown that it is essential to use in- situ mechanism to keep a constant thickness of the biofilm during the bio-degradation process. In addition there is a study which demonstrates the feasibility of a fluid dynamic ( FD ) technique as a monitoring system to predict the development behaviour of the biofilm on the membrane surface by measuring biofilm thickness. For details consult https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
www.undergraduatelibrary.org - fouling
Oxygen concentration, temperature, organic load, kind of substrate, shear stress, grazer etc. have effect on biofilm thickness.
In some project with biofilm process , I've observed that cold water temperature and high Oxygen concentration coupled with low substrate concentration stimulate deep penetration of oxygen into the biofilm and promotes the thickening of the biofilm.
Hope It will help you for your membrane reactor.
Yann
There could be some optimal thickness for the biofilm beyond which any increase in oxygen concentration does not contribute to its growth, for a given substrate concentration and reactor temperature. If possible, work out the mass transfer kinetics associated using DoE concepts to estimate the same at "practical" conditions.
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