Session: Research Posters

Paper Number: 119166

119166 - Renewable Energy Driven Pure Oxygen-Based Membrane Aerated Biofilm Reactor for Wastewater Treatment 

The recently attractive membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) technology has been evaluated as a highly cost-effective biofilm-based wastewater treatment technology. The MABR implements a gas-permeable hollow fiber membrane aerated with low-pressurized air to achieve direct oxygen diffusion to the attached biofilm on the membrane surface. In this study, MABR driven by pure oxygen gas, produced from a solar power-based electrolysis cell, was assessed for wastewater treatment. An automatic electrical control system was fabricated at a bench-scale experimental setup to evaluate the performance of the pure oxygen membrane aerated biofilm reactor (PO-MABR) under various conditions of temperature, carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio, gas pressure, feed flow rate, and hydraulic retention time (HRT). The results revealed that the tested PO-MABR system had achieved tremendous superiority over the air-ventilated MABR (A-MABR) system in terms of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) removal rate, recording 97% removal of COD for the pure oxygen-based MABR. Thicker biofilm and different microbial structures were detected in the pure oxygen-driven MABR leading to better nitrification and denitrification processes, which achieved higher TN removal by about 19% over the A-MABR system. In addition, the PO-MABR system presented a high resistance to the impact of low temperature, and the ability to treat high and low-strength wastewater was also proved. The study demonstrated that the PO-MABR system effectively treated both high and low-strength wastewater, suggesting its versatility and suitability for a wide range of applications. This robust performance can be attributed to the utilization of pure oxygen gas, which enhances the treatment efficiency and allows for better control over the system's operating parameters. Hence, the current study highly nominates the pure oxygen-based MABR to be a promising treatment system for efficient COD and nitrogen removal. Furthermore, considering oxygen as a by-product of clean hydrogen energy production via water electrolysis adds another dimension of environmental sustainability to the PO-MABR system. This not only contributes to the efficient treatment of wastewater but also aligns with the growing global focus on renewable energy and resource recovery. Overall, the results obtained from this study underscore the potential of the pure oxygen-driven MABR as a cost-effective and versatile solution for wastewater treatment. Further research and pilot-scale investigations are warranted to validate and optimize the performance of the PO-MABR under real-world operating conditions. The integration of such innovative technologies into wastewater treatment infrastructure can lead to significant advancements in environmental protection and resource management, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable future.

Presenting Author: Abdallah Abdelfattah Mohammed Abdelfattah Abdelmoula Tanta University

Presenting Author Biography: Abdallah Abdelmoula is an assistant lecturer at Tanta University, Egypt, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering at Jiangsu University, China. With a strong focus on environmental engineering, Abdallah's research interests lie in the development and optimization of innovative wastewater treatment technologies. His work primarily revolves around biofilm-based systems, with a particular emphasis on membrane aerated biofilm reactors (MABRs). Through his research, Abdallah aims to contribute to the advancement of sustainable wastewater treatment solutions that are both cost-effective and efficient. With a commitment to environmental preservation, Abdallah strives to address the challenges associated with wastewater treatment and make a positive impact on creating a cleaner and healthier environment.

Authors:

Abdallah Abdelfattah Mohammed Abdelfattah Abdelmoula Tanta University