Tratamiento de agua residual municipal mediante un biorreactor anaerobio de membrana a escala piloto

Abstract

This research carried out studies in a membrane anaerobic reactor in a pilot‐scale. The UASB reactor coupled with ultrafiltration membranes was operated uninterruptedly to take advantage of the benefits of the anaerobic mean, and associate them with an effective retention of suspended solids, colloids, pathogenic microorganisms and parasites. The operating conditions in the biological area of this system (HRT = 6 h) produced an effluent that when combined with the operating conditions in the filtration area (v = 2.25 m/s, TMP = 20 psi) could minimize the frequency of chemical cleaning (sodium hypochlorite solution at 300 mg/l) and delay the irreversible fouling. The system accomplished a removal of 87.62% of total COD (83% of soluble COD), 99.7% of suspended solids (SS) and 100% of fecal coliforms and helminth eggs. Preliminary analyses carried out in the material accumulated in the membrane confirmed that this material is essentially made up of extracellular organic substances.