The Performance of a Gaslift MBR for Slaughterhouse Wastewater Treatment in 1 m3/day Scale

Tien Nhien Vu1, Quang Dung Bach1, Hai Bang Pham1, Tien Anh Do1, and Quang Trung Do2

1. Vietnam Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Climate Change, Vietnam

2. Faculty of Chemistry, VNU University of Science, Vietnam

Abstract: Slaughterhouse wastewater containing high concentration of organic contaminants and nitrogen is causing severe problems to the environment in Vietnam. The concentration of COD, BOD and NH4 + in the slaughterhouse wastewater in Vietnam is around 2000 mg/L, 1000 mg/L and 200 mg/L respectively. Gaslift membrane bioreactor (MBR) is a promising technology which is expected to treat wastewater with the same quality and lower operation cost compared to the traditional MBR due to its potential of reducing pumping energy and extension of membrane life. A novel labscale set up of a 500 L aerobic tank plus a 500 L anoxic tank equipped

with 2 tubular Ultrafiltration (UF) membrane modules connected with air compressor was constructed to test potential of gaslift MBR to reduce the organic strength and total nitrogen in slaughterhouse wastewater. Different operation parameters such as gas flow rate (Qgas), cross flow velocity (CFV), transmembrane pressure (TMP), Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT), Sludge Retention Time (SRT)…will be tested to search for the optimum operation condition of the system. This study will also prove the potential of energy saving of the gaslift MBR which makes it more feasible to apply for industrial markets and developing countries.

Key words: on-site treatment, gas-lift MBR, ultrafiltration, slaughterhouse wastewater