Removal performance of heavy metals in MBR systems and their influence in water reuse
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Arévalo, Juan; Ruiz Hernández, Luz Marina; Pérez Pérez, Jorge Ignacio; Moreno Escobar, María Begoña; Gómez Nieto, Miguel ÁngelEditorial
IWA Publishing
Date
2013-02-01Referencia bibliográfica
J. Arévalo et al. | Removal performance of heavy metals in MBR systems. Water Science & Technology | 67.4 | 2013. https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2012.620
Sponsorship
Andalusian Government (NET 324936/1); European Union funds (FEDER); University of Granada; EMASAGRA; Ministry of Education of Spain (PFPU)Abstract
The removal performance of heavy metals by two experimental full-scale membrane bioreactors
(microfiltration and ultrafiltration) and the influence of activated sludge total suspended solid (TSS)
concentration were studied under real operational conditions. Influent and effluent Be, Sc, V, Cr, Mn,
Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Cd, Ba, Sn, Sb, Pb and U concentrations were analysed by inductively coupled
plasma-mass spectrometry. An average contamination rate for most of the analysed heavy metals
was observed in raw wastewater, resulting in effluents without limitation for reuse in agricultural
destinations according to Spanish law. Removal efficiencies up to 80% were obtained regardless of
whether microfiltration or ultrafiltration membranes were used, except for As, Mo and Sb. The
removal yields of different heavy metals can be strengthened by increasing the activated sludge TSS
concentration, mainly at concentrations above 10 g/L.