Article
Agricultural Engineering
Meng Zhang, Jun Gu, Siyu Wang, Yu Liu
Summary: Novel sandwich-structured carriers were developed for fast immobilization of anammox sludge, establishing a fixed film membrane bioreactor for municipal wastewater treatment. Results showed rapid start-up of the reactor without lag phase, with high nitrogen removal efficiency and low membrane fouling. The activity of anammox sludge stabilized in the carriers, enriching Candidatus Kuenenia as the dominant anammox bacteria for promising alternative in mainstream anammox process.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
V. Diez, J. M. Camara, M. O. Ruiz, R. Martinez, C. Ramos
Summary: Results from a new jet-loop Anaerobic Filter Membrane Bioreactor (AnFMBR) for raw slaughterhouse wastewater treatment were presented. The technology showed high organic matter removal efficiency, with irreversible fouling mainly attributed to fouling consolidation due to fouling layer compression, as revealed by different backwash scenarios and filtration fluxes. Overall, the pilot-scale results demonstrate the promising potential of jet-loop AnFMBR for complex wastewater treatment at a larger scale.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Dongle Cheng, Huu Hao Ngo, Wenshan Guo, Soon Woong Chang, Dinh Duc Nguyen, Quynh Anh Nguyen, Jian Zhang, Shuang Liang
Summary: The addition of 0.5 g/L biochar significantly increased the removal rate of sulfonamide antibiotics in AnMBR while reducing the concentration of COD. SMs inhibited COD removal and methane production, but the addition of biochar helped reduce membrane fouling.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Boyang Yu, Jingqiu Sun, Kai Zhao, Jiayu Tian, Chengzhi Hu
Summary: An electrochemical MBR (electro-MBR) was developed to simultaneously alleviate membrane fouling and enhance phosphorus removal using a low-maintenance method. The integration of a Fe anode and a membrane cathode allowed for coagulation by Fe ions and electrostatic repulsion, significantly mitigating membrane fouling and enhancing phosphorus removal. The electro-MBR exhibited increased microbial species diversity and extended membrane module service life, resulting in decreased maintenance costs of 66.7%.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jinfan Zhang, Baolei Wu, Jie Zhang, Xuanyu Zhai, Zhendong Liu, Qiqi Yang, Huan Liu, Zhaoyang Hou, Daisuke Sano, Rong Chen
Summary: The study investigated the role of membrane fouling in virus removal during sewage treatment using AnMBR, revealing that virus removal efficiency is significantly correlated with transmembrane pressure, especially in the rapid fouling stage. The primary rejection mechanism of virus by membrane was found to be virus adsorption onto membrane in the slow fouling stage, while the sieving effect was dominant in the rapid fouling stage. This research provides operation strategies to achieve enhanced virus removal and high permeate flux by regulating the membrane fouling process.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Muhammad Bilal Asif, Chengyue Li, Baoyu Ren, Tahir Maqbool, Xihui Zhang, Zhenghua Zhang
Summary: In-situ ozonation in the ceramic MBR membrane tank, known as Oz-MBR, enhanced micropollutant removal efficiency and alleviated membrane fouling. The increased abundance of microbial taxa responsible for removing complex pollutants and/or ozone-assisted oxidation may contribute to the improved removal efficiency of micropollutants in the Oz-MBR.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Weilong Song, Dong Xu, Xuan Yang, Jian Li, Pin Zhao, Xinhua Wang, How Yong Ng
Summary: Zwitterionic surface engineering was employed to improve the antifouling ability of hollow-fiber membranes. A flow-through coating method using zwitterionic organosilica material was used to introduce zwitterions onto the membrane, which was then incorporated into a membrane bioreactor (MBR) to demonstrate enhanced fouling control. The zwitterion-coated membrane showed superior fouling resistance in the MBR, with improved critical flux, extended fouling cycle, and higher resistance to key foulants such as extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and soluble microbial polymer (SMP). The interfacial free energy analysis revealed that zwitterions altered the interfacial interaction between the membrane and the fouling substances, leading to elevated energy barrier for foulants attachment.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Nazila Sutudehnezhad, Amir Heydarinasab, Reza Yegani, Farshid Pajoum Shariati
Summary: Membrane fouling is a major drawback of membrane bioreactor systems. Through experimental and simulation analysis, it has been found that angular nozzle aerators perform better in terms of reducing fouling ratio and improving performance, especially for nanocomposite membranes, while also reducing energy consumption and operating costs.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rong Zhang, Liying Hao, Kai Cheng, Beiyu Xin, Junqi Sun, Jifeng Guo
Summary: Membrane bioreactor (MBR) is a biological unit widely used in wastewater treatment due to its simple structure and high pollutant removal rate. However, membrane fouling hinders its wide application, thus effective membrane fouling control methods are crucial. Electrically-enhanced MBR (EMBR) has emerged as a new membrane fouling control technology, utilizing the driving force of electric field to inhibit membrane fouling.
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Seren Acarer
Summary: Microplastics (MPs) cannot be completely removed from water/wastewater in conventional treatment plants, but membrane technologies show promise for effective MP removal. This paper reviews the properties of MPs in treatment plants and the efficiency of their removal. It also compares different membrane filtration methods and discusses the issue of membrane fouling and potential release of MPs from polymeric membranes. The current status and research gaps in MP removal by membrane technologies are identified, and recommendations for further studies are made.
WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Sarah Lotfikatouli, Pejman Hadi, Mengying Yang, Harold W. Walker, Benjamin S. Hsiao, Christopher Gobler, Michael Reichel, Xinwei Mao
Summary: The TFNC-CNF membrane showed superior anti-fouling properties, high flux recovery efficiency, and excellent permeability compared to PVDF membranes, making it a promising material for membrane bioreactors.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
S. Mariraj Mohan, S. Nagalakshmi
Summary: In this study, the reduction of fouling in Conventional Membrane Bioreactor (C-MBR) and Modified Membrane Bioreactor (M-MBR) was compared through incorporated modification. The introduction of Self-forming dynamic membrane (SFDM) in M-MBR successfully reduced fouling and prolonged the operation time.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lee Jiwoo, Daeeun Kwon, Jeonghwan Kim
Summary: This study compared the fluidization of granular activated carbon in an AFMBR and the biogas sparging from the bottom of a G-AnMBR for treating low-strength wastewater. The results showed that AFMBR achieved high organic removal efficiency, methane production, and removal of organic micropollutants, while G-AnMBR had lower efficiency but lower energy consumption.
PROCESS SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Moon-Su Choi, Yuhoon Hwang, Tae-Jin Lee
Summary: The study evaluated the use of GAC and rubber particles as bio-fouling reducer in a MBR, finding that GAC can temporarily reduce TMP but eventually significant fouling occurs. The addition of rubber particles led to low TMP values and high removal efficiencies of organic compounds and nitrogen under intermittent aeration conditions.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Huaorng Yu, Chenyu Du, Fangshu Qu, Junguo He, Hongwei Rong
Summary: This study explored various potential bio-stimuli for quorum quenching enhancement in activated sludge, identifying compounds like gamma-caprolactone, D-xylonic acid-1,4-lactone, and urea as effective in promoting inactivating activity. Through entrapment, these bio-stimuli effectively disrupted quorum sensing in membrane bioreactors.
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Muhammad Bilal Asif, Sidra Iftekhar, Tahir Maqbool, Biplob Kumar Pramanik, Shamas Tabraiz, Mika Sillanpaa, Zhenghua Zhang
Summary: The application and research of two-dimensional (2D) membranes in water purification have made significant progress, especially in materials like graphene. However, challenges remain in industrial production, particularly in large-scale fabrication of nanoporous membranes and ensuring membrane stability.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Uchenna Egwu, Kennedy Onyelowe, Shamas Tabraiz, Emmanuel Johnson, Alexander D. Mutshow
Summary: The effects of feeding intervals, organic loading rates, and operating temperatures on specific methane production during anaerobic digestion were studied. Uneven feeding, trace element deficiency, accumulation of volatile fatty acids, and free ammonia nitrogen had negative impacts on CSTRs. However, even feeding and biomass ash extracts supplementation facilitated the recovery of failed CSTRs.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zahidullah, Muhammad Faisal Siddiqui, Shamas Tabraiz, Farhana Maqbool, Fazal Adnan, Ihsan Ullah, Muhammad Ajmal Shah, Waqar Azeem Jadoon, Tariq Mehmood, Sadia Qayyum, Ziaur Rahman
Summary: The study focused on the antimicrobial, biofilm formation, and biofilm dispersal potential of rhamnolipids (RLs). It was found that RLs can reduce bacterial growth and biofilm formation, while exhibiting substantial dispersal effects on preformed biofilms. The results suggest that RLs have the potential to control and disperse membrane biofouling.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marcos Quintela-Baluja, Kelly Jobling, David W. Graham, Shamas Tabraiz, Burhan Shamurad, Mohamed Alnakip, Karola Bohme, Jorge Barros-Velazquez, Monica Carrera, Pilar Calo-Mata
Summary: This study employed proteomic analysis to rapidly characterize two bacteriocin-producing Enterococcus faecium strains and demonstrated the great potential of this workflow in determining and optimizing the bioengineering and biotechnology properties of other LAB strains in the food industry.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shamas Tabraiz, N. M. Aiswarya, Himani Taneja, R. Aravinda Narayanan, Asma Ahmed
Summary: In this study, simultaneous nitrification, denitrification, and phosphorous removal from synthetic wastewater were achieved by using the fungus Neurospora discreta in a single-step, biofilm-based, aerobic process. The concentrations of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorous in the synthetic wastewater significantly influenced biofilm growth and nutrient removal rates.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Muhammad Zeeshan, Marco Scheurer, Christina Foerster, Christine Kuebeck, Aki Sebastian Ruhl, Sondra Klitzke
Summary: This study investigated the sorption and degradation of nitrification and urease inhibitors in a simulated bank filtration system, revealing the significant impact of microbial biomass and hydraulic retention time on the degradation of these inhibitors.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Muhammad Zeeshan, Pia Schumann, Silke Pabst, Aki Sebastian Ruhl
Summary: The occurrence of potentially persistent and mobile (PM) organic micropollutants (OMP) in the aquatic environment is recognized as a severe threat to water resources and drinking water suppliers. This study aimed to investigate the long-term fate of several emerging contaminants in a simulated bank filtration (BF) system. The results showed that some OMP were persistent and mobile throughout the study, while others displayed bio-transformation and were eliminated within a certain period of time. The adaptation time and hydraulic retention time (HRT) were found to play a crucial role in the elimination of emerging OMP through BF.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Muhammad Zeeshan, Sadia Fida, Aki Sebastian Ruhl, Uchenna Egwu, Gaurav Kondal, Shamas Tabraiz
Summary: Different concentrations of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) were used for chemically enhanced backwash (CEB) in membrane bioreactor (MBR). The study showed that CEB with NaOCl had a higher impact on fouling reduction and extended the operational time compared to CEB with NaOH. NaOCl was found to be 7% - 28% more effective in reducing fouling than NaOH at different concentrations.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL ADVANCES
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Emeka Boniface Ekwenna, Shamas Tabraiz, Yaodong Wang, Anthony Roskilly
Summary: The study examined the use of agro-industrial waste (AIW) as an alternative material to pretreat digested cattle slurry (DCS) for biological hydrogen production. The results showed that the pretreated DCS had higher daily volumetric hydrogen production (VHP) compared to the untreated DCS. When glucose was used as a substrate, heat-shocked DCS had the highest daily VHP, followed by PE-PT DCS. When sucrose was used, PE-PT DCS achieved the highest daily VHP. Further research is needed to optimize AIW DCS pretreatment conditions.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Muhammad Zeeshan, Silke Pabst, Eduard Sandyk, Aki Sebastian Ruhl
Summary: Pharmaceuticals such as CBZ, SMX, and DCF are frequently found in the aquatic environment. This study investigated the fate of these compounds in a large recirculated mesocosm with a pond and subsequent bank filtration. The results showed that CBZ was persistent in both surface water and groundwater, while SMX was persistent in surface water and completely removed through bank filtration within 50 days.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Muhammad Junaid, Zohaib Abbas, Junaid Ali Siddiqui, Shulin Liu, Shamas Tabraiz, Qiang Yue, Jun Wang
Summary: Microplastics and nanoplastics, known as micro(-nano)plastics (MNPs), are widely present in aquatic and terrestrial environments. They interact with persistent organic pollutants, such as pesticides, causing adverse toxicological effects in organisms. This review summarizes studies on the adsorption of pesticides on MNPs and factors affecting that adsorption process, as well as the bioaccumulation and associated toxicological impacts of pesticides and MNPs in different organisms.
TRAC-TRENDS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mohammad Danish Khan, Ankit Singh, Mohammad Zain Khan, Shamas Tabraiz, Javed Sheikh
Summary: The usage of dyes is increasing in the expanding industrial sector, leading to a significant generation of dye wastewater, especially in the textile industry. This wastewater negatively affects the environment and various forms of life. Various treatment technologies, including physical, physicochemical, chemical, and biological methods, have been extensively reviewed to mitigate the environmental impact of dye wastewater. Each method has its advantages and challenges, and biological-based treatments show promise due to their low-cost, low energy requirement, and environmental friendliness.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Muhammad Zeeshan, Sondra Klitzke, Aki Sebastian Ruhl
Summary: This study analyzed the quantitative and qualitative properties of dissolved organic matter using fluorescence spectroscopy in different sand column systems. The findings showed the presence of two fluorescent DOM fractions and a correlation between DOM, fDOM, and SUVA at 254 nm in indoor systems. In outdoor columns, while the removal of DOM and fDOM was high, there was an increase in aromaticity. Dissolved oxygen consumption was influenced by organic content in sand and not residence times. Bank filtration was found to be effective in removing biodegradable DOM under outdoor natural conditions.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-WATER RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Mohammad Danish Khan, Shamas Tabraiz, Ravikumar Thimmappa, Da Li, Abdul Hakeem Anwer, Keith Scott, Mohammad Zain Khan, Eileen Hao Yu
Summary: This study investigated the advantages of using low-cost polyaniline-fabricated stainless steel fiber felt anode-based microbial fuel cells (PANI-SSFF-MFCs) for azo dye acid blue 29 (AB29) containing wastewater treatment integrated with an aerobic bioreactor. The findings showed that the PANI-SSFF anode decreased the MFC internal resistance and achieved high power density and decolorization efficiency. The study also observed significant changes in the microbial community in MFCs.
FRONTIERS IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
