Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of powdered activated carbon on fouling intensity of capillary membranes working in the submerged membrane bioreactor during the treatment of synthetic municipal wastewater loaded with organic compounds. The research were carried out in a membrane bioreactor including a capillary ultrafiltration module made of polyethersulfone. The feed used in the presented study was synthetic municipal wastewater which was prepared in order to include high organic content. Moreover, the volumetric flux of the treated wastewater and the percentage of reversible and irreversible fouling were determined. It was found that activated carbon addition to a membrane bioreactor (MBR) treating wastewater reduced irreversible fouling. The volumetric flux of the treated wastewater for PAC-assisted MBRs was higher by approximately 40% as compared to the volumetric flux of the treated wastewater without any sorbents.