Fouling Potential Determination of a UASB Effluent Using Different Assessment Methods

• Published in: Journal of water chemistry and technology Vol. 40; no. 3; pp. 160 - 166
• Main Authors: Salazar-Peláez, M., Morgan-Sagastume, J. M., Noyola, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Moscow Pleiades Publishing 01-05-2018; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aquatic Pollution; Earth and Environmental Science; Effluents; Environment; Fouling; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Mathematical analysis; Membrane processes; Methods; Reactors; Saturation; Upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactors; Waste Water Technology; Water Industry/Water Technologies; Water Management; Water Pollution Control; Water Quality/Water Pollution; Water Treatment and Demineralization Technology; silt density index; modified fouling index; saturation curve model; ultrafiltration membrane
• ISSN: 1063-455X; 1934-936X
• DOI: 10.3103/S1063455X18030086

The fouling potential of a pilot-scale UASB effluent was determined using different assessment methods (SDI and MFI tests and a mathematical analysis based on a saturation curve model). The UASB reactor was operated at HRT of 4, 8 and 12 h. Although the three methods employed were adequate as a predictive tool for UF membrane fouling, the saturation curve analysis revealed a clearer relationship between the fouling potential of the UASB effluent and the HRT applied. It was found that operating a UASB reactor under short HRT, such as 4 h, could increase membrane fouling in a post-treatment UF module.