Portable fluorescence instrument for detecting membrane integrity in membrane bioreactor (MBR)

doi:10.1007/s11783-024-1783-8

Front. Environ. Sci. Eng.

2024, Vol. 18

Issue (2) : 23 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-024-1783-8

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Portable fluorescence instrument for detecting membrane integrity in membrane bioreactor (MBR)

Yang Yu^1,², Changchun Xin^1,³, Yuxiang Liu^1,², Fei Gao^1,², Lei Zhang⁴, Hui Jia^1,²(

), Jie Wang^1,^2,⁵(

)

¹. State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes, Tiangong University, Tianjin 300387, China
². School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tiangong University, Tianjin 300387, China
³. School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
⁴. Shenyang Academy of Environmental Sciences, Shenyang 110167, China
⁵. Cangzhou Institute of Tiangong University, Tiangong University, Cangzhou 061000, China

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Abstract

● Double fluorescence peaks model is used to characterize membrane integrity.

● Tryptophan-like substances are used to detect membrane breakage.

● Double fluorescence peaks combination reduces the inner filter effect influence.

● The detection of the instrument is less affected by backwashing operation.

This study proposed the design, fabrication, and assembly of membrane integrity detection instruments in membrane bioreactors (MBR) based on fluorescence spectroscopy. Based on the PARAFAC model, we found that the peak at 280/335 nm strengthened after membrane breakage. The peak at 340/430 nm reflected the sludge concentration in the MBR and reduced the influence of internal filtration effects on detection. Therefore, we determined that the dual-LED light source excitation detection system can detect tryptophan-like substances at 280 nm (T-peak) and humic acid at 340 nm (C-peak). T-peak was identified as the core index indicating membrane integrity. Moreover, the C-peak is the reference indicator factor for a sensitive response to changes in the sludge concentration. The portable fluorescence instrument exhibited high sensitivity and good feedback accuracy compared to particle counting and turbidity detection, where the log reduction value was greater than 3.5. This overcomes the disadvantage of false alarms in particle counters and is not affected by the position of the pump system. This portable instrument provides a flexible and highly sensitive method for the assessment of industrial membrane integrity.

Keywords Membrane integrity Fluorescence spectrum Portable instrument Membrane bioreactor

Corresponding Author(s): Hui Jia,Jie Wang

Issue Date: 12 October 2023

Cite this article:

Yang Yu,Changchun Xin,Yuxiang Liu, et al. Portable fluorescence instrument for detecting membrane integrity in membrane bioreactor (MBR)[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2024, 18(2): 23.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fese/EN/10.1007/s11783-024-1783-8
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fese/EN/Y2024/V18/I2/23

Fig.1 Membranes in different states: (a) Broken membrane modules; (b) fractures; (c) holes; (d) scratches; (e) breakage.

Fig.2 Experimental process diagram: (a) Feed tank; (b) intake pump; (c) anoxic tank; (d) blender (e) aerobic tank; (f) membrane module; (g) aerator; (h) gas flowmeter; (i) aeration pump; (j) PLC; (k) pressure sensor; (l) peristaltic pump; (m) barticle counter; (n) effluent tank.

Fig.3 MBR supernatant and permeate test: (a) The MW distribution of the supernatant and different permeate with the inset showing the different membrane retention rate; (b) the fluorescence intensity of T-peak and C-peak in MBR supernatant and different permeate. BM: breakage membrane; IM: integrity membrane.

Fig.4 Parallel factor analysis of two fluorescent peaks in MBR: (a) Supernatant T-peak variation at different MLSS; (b) supernatant C-peak variation at different MLSS; (c) permeate T-peak variation at different MLSS; (d) permeate C-peak variation at different MLSS.

Fig.5 Block diagram of the portable LED fluorescence instrument design.

Fig.6 Instrument development flow chart: (a) External structure; (b) internal structure; (c) optical path structure; (d) filter structure; (e) light source structure.

Fig.7 Breakage rate test: (a) Comparison between particle counter and portable fluorescence instrument; (b) comparison between turbidity instrument and portable fluorescence instrument; (c) test of T and C peaks by portable fluorescence instrument; (d) test of T and C peaks by fluorescence spectrophotometer.

Fig.8 Comparison of portable instrument, particle counter, and turbidity meter: (a) Backwashing of integrity membrane module; (b) Backwashing of broken membrane module.

Fig.9 Instruments application: (a) Portable instrument and particle counter test results when the membrane is integrity; (b) portable instrument and turbidity test results when the membrane is integrity.

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