Effect of magnetite addition on the membrane fouling in AnMBR treating sugarcane vinasse

Abstract

The major challenge in the stability and sustainability of anaerobic membrane reactors (AnMBR) operation is the membrane fouling. The common fouling control strategies in some cases are not enough to prevent fouling or to avoid the physical and chemical cleaning. It can cause interruptions in the process and additional expense with the membrane cleaning procedures. Sugarcane vinasse has in its composition compounds that can lead to severe fouling such as sulphate, potassium, phosphate, magnesium, zinc, etc. The presence of cations in the influent and sludge suspension is the origin of inorganic elements in cake layer due the precipitation of such ions. An alternative is to use carriers to control membrane fouling by increasing shear rate, delaying transmembrane pressure jump and extends the operational life of the membrane. Aside from effectively controlling the fouling rate, some carriers also have the ability to enhance direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) reducing CO2 to CH4 without utilizing H2, increasing in substrate uptake rate and methanogenic activity. Magnetite has received attention in recent decades as a DIET stimulatory method in anaerobic digestion because it is electrically conductive and biocompatible. The objective of this project is to investigate the effect of magnetite addition on the membrane fouling in AnMBR treating sugarcane vinasse. (AU)