Wastewater Management

Description

Problem Statement - Bio-fouling prevention using quorum quenching in membrane bioreactor for municipal wastewater treatment

Challenge description with context - The MBR has emerged as an efficient compact technology for municipal and industrial waste water treatment. MBR with is a hybrid of a conventional biological treatment system and physical liquid, solid separation using hollow fibre membrane filtration in one system. The MBR technology provides the following advantages over conventional process like activated sludge process are high-quality effluent, higher volumetric loading rates and shorter hydraulic retent .

Problem – Bio-fouling is major problem in MBR and it remains a critical limiting factor to the more widespread of MBR for water treatment. The concept of qq is the disruption of quorum sensing (qs), cell-to-cell communication enabling the bacteria to harmonize their behaviour. The production of biofilm, which is recognized as a major part of the bio cake formed on a membrane surface, and which leads to bio fouling, has been found to be one of the bacterial behaviour’s controlled by qs.

Users – Industry, STP, ETP.

Expected Outcomes - Control Bio fouling, Increase membrane performance and lifespan leading to an increase in maintenance and operating costs. Reduction in membrane Bio Fouling.

Probable Discipline – Chemical Engineer

Frequently Asked Questions