Performance evaluation of a novel eductor-based MBR for the treatment of domestic wastewater

The performance of a patented novel eductor-based MBR was studied in comparison with a conventional diffuser for the treatment of domestic wastewater. The eductor showed a high rate of oxygen transfer over the diffuser (K(L)a of 18.49 and 5.6/h, respectively, for the eductor and the diffuser in clean water). Higher recirculation rate through the eductor increased mixing inside the MBR tank and resulted insignificantly less membrane fouling compared to the diffuser (when the MBR was operated in continuous permeation mode; without any back-washing). The COD and ammonia removal efficiency of the MBR was also found to be higher with the eductor than the diffuser. The eductor was found to have great potential to be used as an aerator as well as a mixer if operated in a large scale of application in wastewater treatment by MBR.