Filtration apparatus comprising a membrane bioreactor and a treatment vessel for digesting organic materials

• US 7,387,723 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2005
• Issued: 06/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Siemen Water Technologies Corporation (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Jordan, Edward John
• Primary Examiner(s): Barry; Chester T.
• Application Number:
  US11/110,148
• Publication Number:
  US 20060201876A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,154 Days
• Field of Search: 210/194, 210/197, 210/607, 210/620, 210/630, 210/631, 210/220, 210/500.2
• US Class Current: 210/220
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2313/60 Specific sensors or sensor arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2313/90 Additional auxiliary systems integrated with the module or apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2315/06 Submerged-type; Immersion type
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2321/04 Backflushing
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2321/185 Aeration
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2321/2058 by vibration of the membrane, e.g. with an actuator
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/14 Ultrafiltration; Microfiltration
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/145 Ultrafiltration
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/18 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/02 Hollow fibre modules
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/024 with a single potted end
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/04 comprising multiple hollow fibre assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 65/08 Prevention of membrane fouling or of concentration polarisation
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/38 by centrifugal separation
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/444 by ultrafiltration or microfiltration
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 11/04 Anaerobic treatment; Production of methane by such processes
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/04 Oxidation reduction potential [ORP]
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/06 pH
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/24 Separation of coarse particles, e.g. by using sieves or screens
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 3/1221 comprising treatment of the recirculated sludge
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 3/1268 : Membrane bioreactor systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/10 : Biological treatment of water, waste water, or sewage

Abstract

The invention relates to a membrane bioreactor process combined with an advanced biological sludge digestion process that provides significant improvements in sludge digestion by reducing the costs and resources required for disposing of digested sludge. The offline treatment vessel is used to solubilize the organic material by operating in a very low oxygen environment. Digested process fluid is transferred back to the membrane bioreactor. The processes and apparatus substantially reduce the production of waste sludge.

Claims

1. A method for treating an influent stream comprising a digestible waste, the method comprising:

filtering a mixed liquor in a membrane bioreactor, wherein the mixed liquor is contacted with outer surfaces of a plurality of porous hollow fiber membranes, and wherein a permeate is removed from lumens of the membranes;

removing biological solids from the membrane bioreactor by recycling a substrate containing biological solids to an offline treatment vessel via a recycle loop, whereby a preselected concentration of biological solids is maintained within the membrane bioreactor;

maintaining multiple discrete biological environments within the offline treatment vessel;

digesting biological solids in the offline treatment vessel; and

conducting an effluent stream from the offline treatment vessel to the membrane bioreactor, wherein the effluent stream comprises at least a portion of the mixed liquor.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of removing biological solids further comprises the step of passing the substrate containing biological solids through a hydrocyclone, whereby inert solids are removed, wherein the hydrocyclone is part of the recycle loop.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of removing biological solids further comprises the step of passing the substrate containing biological solids through a screen, whereby inert solids are removed, wherein the screen is part of the recycle loop.

4. An apparatus for filtering a liquid containing solids, the apparatus comprising:

a membrane bioreactor comprising at least one membrane module and an aerator, the membrane module comprising a plurality of porous membranes, wherein the membrane module is configured such that, in operation, a substrate comprising an activated sludge is contacted with outer surfaces of the membranes, and a treated water is removed from lumens of the membranes;

a biological sludge treatment vessel configured to operate in an anaerobic environment wherein a process fluid is digested, wherein at least a portion of the digested process fluid is transferred to the membrane bioreactor, and wherein at least a portion of the substrate in the membrane bioreactor is transferred to the biological sludge treatment vessel; and

a screen, wherein the screen is positioned between the membrane bioreactor and the biological sludge treatment vessel, wherein the screen is configured to remove inert materials in an outflow from the membrane bioreactor.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the screen comprises openings having an average size in a longest dimension of about 200 μ

m to about 300 μ

m.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising:

a hydrocyclone, wherein the hydrocyclone is positioned between the screen and the biological sludge treatment vessel, wherein the hydrocyclone is configured to remove inert materials in an outflow from the membrane bioreactor.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising:

a surge tank, wherein the surge tank is configured to receive an outflow from the membrane bioreactor.

8. An apparatus for filtering a liquid containing solids, the apparatus comprising:

a membrane bioreactor comprising at least one membrane module and an aerator, the membrane module comprising a plurality of porous membranes, wherein the membrane module is configured such that, in operation, a substrate comprising an activated sludge is contacted with outer surfaces of the membranes, and a treated water is removed from lumens of the membranes;

a biological sludge treatment vessel configured to operate in an anaerobic environment wherein a process fluid is digested, wherein at least a portion of the digested process fluid is transferred to the membrane bioreactor, and wherein at least a portion of the substrate in the membrane bioreactor is transferred to the biological sludge treatment vessel; and

a hydrocyclone, wherein the hydrocyclone is positioned between the membrane bioreactor and the biological sludge treatment vessel, wherein the hydrocyclone is configured to remove inert materials in an outflow from the membrane bioreactor.