VITO wanted to adapt and test the MBR-VFM (VITO Fouling Measurement) monitoring sensor for tests on chemical wastewater, and to use this in the implementation of an advanced control system which supervises the set-points of membrane cleaning actions.

In the past, a cyclical measurement protocol based on filtration and relaxation steps was developed for municipal wastewater sludge which allows for a quick assessment of a mixed liquor’s reversible and irreversible fouling propensity. This protocol was now adapted to mixed liquor from chemical industry and an alternative method including backwash was developed.

The following parameters were optimized:

-        Aeration intensity during various filtration steps

-        Duration of various relaxation or backwash steps

-        Applied pressure during backwash

This resulted in two optimal MBR-VFM measurement protocols:

-        A protocol with relaxation 

-        A protocol with backwash

 

Long-term tests on three MBR pilot units have already been performed, in which membrane material and measurement protocol were matched with the operational conditions of the pilots.
 

 

 

The MBR-VFM measurement takes only a few hours and allows to distinguish between reversible and irreversible fouling potential of a mixed liquor?

The MBR-VFM targets the evaluation of the actual fouling potential of mixed liquor on a fresh membrane, thus without taking the membrane history into account?

H. De Wever, C. Huyskens (VITO)
Based on internal report I5.2.1.1-  Overview of capabilities and adaptations for MBR-VFM application on industrial wastewater.

Tel. +34 91 394 42 47                                                                                     ablanco@quim.ucm.es