Effect of Backwash as a Strategy for Biofouling Control in A Submerged Ceramic Membrane Bioreactor for High-Density Cultivations: Process Optimization and Fouling Mechanism at Pilot Scale

31 Pages Posted: 12 Dec 2023

See all articles by Manuel Pinelo

Manuel Pinelo

Technical University of Denmark

Katarzyna Jankowska

Technical University of Denmark

Carlos Domingo-Félez

University of Glasgow

Oscar Andres Prado-Rubio

Technical University of Denmark

Ioannis V. Skiadas

Technical University of Denmark

John Woodley

Technical University of Denmark

Abstract

Submerged membrane bioreactors are effective tools for synergistic production of valuable compounds, cell retention in the bioreactor, and separation of products from the reaction solution. However, membrane fouling is a problem that impairs efficiency of processes involving submerged membrane bioreactors. One of the mechanical methods for efficient fouling mitigation is backwash. Therefore, this study investigated backwash as a method for mitigating biofouling in a submerged ceramic membrane bioreactor, specifically in terms of separation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae from the suspension. To identify the key factors affecting the dynamic flux and their interactions, a Fractional Factorial Design (FFD) was employed based on the key operating variables (2 levels, 5 variables). The average flux model showed a dependency on the flow rate of backwash, time between backwash cycles, backwash duration, cell concentration, and separation process time (adjusted R2=0.99). Furthermore, the effect of backwash on flux recovery was assessed in comparison to separation processes without backwash. It was found that after the application of backwash, up to 100% of the initial flux could be recovered. In contrast, only around 20% of the initial flux could be maintained after the process without backwash. The optimized conditions of backwash were found to be a flow rate of backwash at 1500 mL min-1, time between backwash cycles 5 min, backwash duration 5 sec, cell concentration 20 grams dry weight per liter, and separation process time 0.5 h. The mechanism of membrane fouling was determined to be the deposition of yeast cells on the membrane surface and the blocking of pores inside the membrane by sorbitan monostearate as a reagent present in the yeast suspension.

Keywords: Submerged ceramic membrane bioreactor, backwash, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Fractional Factorial Design, biofouling mitigation

Suggested Citation

Pinelo, Manuel and Jankowska, Katarzyna and Domingo-Félez, Carlos and Prado-Rubio, Oscar Andres and Skiadas, Ioannis V. and Woodley, John, Effect of Backwash as a Strategy for Biofouling Control in A Submerged Ceramic Membrane Bioreactor for High-Density Cultivations: Process Optimization and Fouling Mechanism at Pilot Scale. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4661299 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4661299

Manuel Pinelo (Contact Author)

Technical University of Denmark ( email )

Anker Engelunds Vej 1
Building 101A
Lyngby, 2800
Denmark

Katarzyna Jankowska

Technical University of Denmark ( email )

Anker Engelunds Vej 1
Building 101A
Lyngby, 2800
Denmark

Carlos Domingo-Félez

University of Glasgow ( email )

Adam Smith Business School
Glasgow, G12 8LE
United Kingdom

Oscar Andres Prado-Rubio

Technical University of Denmark ( email )

Anker Engelunds Vej 1
Building 101A
Lyngby, 2800
Denmark

Ioannis V. Skiadas

Technical University of Denmark ( email )

John Woodley

Technical University of Denmark ( email )

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