Optimized coupling of a submerged membrane electro-bioreactor with pre-anaerobic reactors containing anode electrodes for wastewater treatment and fouling reduction

In this paper, the performance of a submerged membrane electro-bioreactor with pre-anaerobic reactors containing anode electrodes (SMEBRþ) was compared with that of a membrane bioreactor (MBR) in municipal wastewater treatment. The new design idea of the SMEBRþ was based on applications of direct current (DC) on the anode and cathode electrodes. The pilot study was divided into 2 stages and operated for 48 days. In Stage I, the MBR was continuously operated for 24 days without the application of electrodes. In Stage II, the SMEBRþ was continuously operated for 24 days, while aluminum electrodes and an intermittent DC were working with an operational mode of 2 min ON/4 min OFF at a constant voltage of 1.4 V. The results indicated that membrane fouling was reduced by nearly 22.02% in the SMEBRþ compared to the MBR. The results also showed that the SMEBRþ increased the quality of effluent to the extent that high removals of NHþ 3 -N, PO3 4 -P, and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were 98%, 76%, and 90%, respectively. This system, in comparison with those proposed in other studies, showed a suitable improvement in biological treatments, considering the high removal of NHþ 3 -N. Therefore, SMEBRþ can be considered as a promising treatment alternative to the conventional MBR.Mechatronic Systems Desig