Enhanced methane production coupled with livestock wastewater treatment using anaerobic membrane bioreactor: Performance and membrane filtration properties

The present study introduced a new method for enhanced biomethane production and pollution control of swine wastewater (SW) using anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR). Results confirmed 35 degrees C as the optimum temperature for enhanced anaerobic digestion which resulted in relatively higher methane production rate and potential. In AnMBR system, robust pollutants removal and conversion rate were achieved under various hy-draulic retention time (HRT) ranging from 20 to 10 days, while the highest methane yield (0.24 L/g-CODremoved) and microbial activity (6.65 mg-COD/g-VSS.h) were recorded at HRT of 15 days. Reduction of HRT to 10 days resulted in serious membrane fouling due to accumulation of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and cake layer on the membrane. However, cake layer as the dominant membrane foulant could be effectively removed through periodic physical backwash to recover the membrane permeability. Overall, the suggested AnMBR is a promising technology to enhance SW treatment and energy recovery.

Automated summary

The study introduced a new method for enhanced biomethane production and pollution control of swine wastewater using an anaerobic membrane bioreactor. The optimal temperature for enhanced anaerobic digestion was confirmed to be 35 degrees Celsius. The AnMBR system achieved robust pollutants removal and conversion rate at various hydraulic retention times, with the highest methane yield recorded at 15 days.