Studies on a new stainless steel mesh dynamic membrane for wastewater treatment

In this study an innovative dynamic membrane bioreactor (DMBR) was implemented from a stainless-steel mesh filter, which was used as a support material, and activated sludge used as an adsorption and filtration interface containing particulate organics. This work indicated that DMBR can achieve rapid solid-liquid pollutants separation. The activated sludge in the aeration tank quickly formed a thin dynamic membrane layer on the filter. The layer was automatically regenerated as the sludge traveled through the reactor. The experimental results for the new DMBR showed good biodegradability in sewage treatment when the activated sludge concentrations ranged between 3000 and 7000 mg/L. Excellent adsorption and filtration performance were also achieved. This dynamic membrane layer significantly improved the effluent quality. The average removal rates were 92.2% and 91.5% for Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Total Phosphorus (TP), respectively. The sewage treatment index was better than the current standard activated sludge process.