Abstract

Submerged Membrane Electro-Bioreactor, or SMEBR, is a compact hybrid unit that biological process, membrane filtration and electrokinetic phenomena are carried out for wastewater treatment. In this novel submerged membrane electro-bioreactor, interactions of three fundamental processes -- biodegradation, membrane filtration and electrokinetics -- control the removal of nutrients. This thesis focuses mainly on nutrients (total nitrogen and phosphorus) removal by new design of the electro-bioreactor with multiple electrical units.
Two new configurations of electro-bioreactor were tested upon different technical parameters and operating conditions. In the SMEBR system, relationship between different levels of current density and electrode configuration played an important role for nutrient removal. Based on the results obtained in this study, under the best operating conditions the average removal of ammonia, nitrates, phosphorous and COD reached 98%, almost 100%, 93%, and 97% respectively. Nitrogen was removed by transformation of ammonia nitrogen into the nitrogen gas through nitrification and denitrification process. The SMEBR system could accomplish almost complete nitrification of ammonium and denitrification of nitrate. Phosphorous was removed by the formation of aluminum phosphate. COD was removed through oxidation of biomass and microbial activities in the electro-bioreactor.