Influence of step increases in hydraulic retention time on (RS)-MCPP degradation using an anaerobic membrane bioreactor

• Main Authors: Yuzir, Ali, Chelliapan, Shreeshivadasan, Sallis, Paul J.
• Format: Article
• Published: Elsevier B. V. 2011
• Subjects: HD Industries. Land use. Labor
• Online Access: http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/44986/; http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2011.07.083

The effects of different hydraulic retention time (HRT) on (RS)-MCPP utilisation was investigated by decreasing the feed flow rate in an anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR). Results showed an average COD removal efficiency of 91.4%, 96.9% and 94.4% when the reactor was operated at HRT 3, 7 and 17 d, respectively. However, when the HRT was reduced to 1 d, the COD removal efficiency declined to just only 60%, confirming the AnMBR is stable to a large transient hydraulic shock loads. The (RS)-MCPP removal efficiency fluctuated from 6% to 39% at HRT 3 d, however when it was increased to 7 and 17 d, the removal efficiency increased to an average of 60% and 74.5%. In addition, (RS)-MCPP specific utilisation rates (SUR) were dependent on the HRT and gradually improved from 18 to 43 µg mgVSS-1 d-1 as flow rate increased.