Scale-Up Considerations for a Hollow-Fiber-Membrane Bioreactor Treating Trichloroethylene-Contaminated Water

Author： Pressman Jonathan G Georgiou George Speitel Gerald E

ISSN： 1061-4303

Source： Water Environment Research, Vol.77, Iss.5, 2005-09, pp. : 533-542

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Abstract

Scale-up of a hollow-fiber-membrane (HFM) bioreactor treating trichloroethylene- (TCE-) contaminated water via co-metabolism with the methanotroph Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b PP358 was investigated through cost comparisons, bioreactor experiments, and mathematical modeling. Cost comparisons, based on a hypothetical treatment scenario of 568-L/min (150-gpm) flowrate with an influent TCE concentration of 100 μg/L, resulted in a configuration of treatment trains with two HFM modules in series and an overall annual cost of $0.36/m³ treated. Biological experiments were conducted with short lumen and shell residence times, 0.16 and 0.40 min, respectively, as a result of the cost comparisons. A new variable, specific transformation, was defined for characterizing the co-metabolic transformation in continuous-flow systems, and values as large as 38.5 μg TCE/mg total suspended solids were sustainable for TCE treatment. Using mathematical modeling, HFM bioreactor system design was investigated, resulting in a five-step system design strategy to facilitate sizing of the unit processes.