Aisyah E. Palupi, Ali Altway, and Arief Widjaja

pp. 131 - 134

Abstract

Membrane bioreactors for wastewater treatment research have been carried out. In this system, membrane replaces the function of the sedimentation tank. Until recent time, fouling was still the main problem for membrane processes. This research has investigated the effect of MLSS concentration and back flushing on external membrane bioreactor performances such as COD and BOD reduction, and the back flushing effect for domestic wastewater treatment. Polyacrylonitril hollow fiber membrane with pore diameter 0.1-0.01 m, surface area 0.075 m² was used in this research. This process was at HRT 5 hour, no sludge disposal, intermittent operation, and permeate exiting from membrane shell side. Optimum condition was
obtained at a transmembrane pressure (TMP) of 1.45 bar. Back flushing was conducted for 10 minute at 3.0 bar pressure. Effective back flushing was shown after operation at MLSS of 7500 and 10000 mg/l. The result of this research shows that COD and BOD in the domestic wastewater decreased almost 98%. MLSS and MLVSS degradations were 98.6% and 98%, respectively.