Fate, Elimination, and Simulation of Low-Molecular-Weight Micropollutants in an Integrated Activated Carbon-Fertiliser Drawn Osmotic Membrane Bioreactor

Abstract

This study investigated the behaviour and simulation of low-molecular-weight (low-MW) micropollutants (MPs) in a powdered activated carbon (PAC)–assisted fertiliser-drawn OMBR. Compared to conventional OMBR, 10% increase in water recovery and two times thinner fouling layer were observed in OMBR with addition of 100 mg-PAC/g-MLSS. This amount of PAC also boosted the richness and diversity in microbial community (Chao1 and Shannon index increased 1.5 times). Low-MW MPs were eliminated effectively in PAC-OMBR, with nearly 100% removal efficiency, while 2–80% was achieved with traditional OMBR. This reduced the pathway of low-MW MPs into diluted fertiliser from 47% to less than 1% of the total influent mass. Hydrophilicity (Log Kow) played the crucial role in the removal of low-MW MPs, in which acetaminophen and nonylphenol behaviours were dissimilar to the others. Neural network model was suitable for the simulation of MP behaviour with high accuracy (R = 0.98, RMSE = 4.7%).

Keywords: Elimination, low molecular weight, microbial community, osmotic membrane bioreactor, simulation