Laboratory-scale investigation of domestic wastewater treatment using a dynamic membrane bioreactor

In this study, the applicability of dynamic membrane (DM) technology in the treatment of domestic wastewater was investigated using a laboratory-scale dynamic membrane bioreactor (DMBR) system. In the study, synthetic domestic wastewater prepared under laboratory conditions was used, and system performance was evaluated based on chemical oxygen demand (COD), suspended solids (SS), filtration flux, and transmembrane pressure (TMP) parameters. As a result of the experimental studies, COD removal efficiencies of 83–94% at an MLSS concentration of 3000 mg/L and 85–91% at 4000 mg/L were achieved in the control reactor. In the DMBR system, COD removal efficiencies of 82–99% at 3000 mg/L MLSS and 91–98% at 4000 mg/L MLSS were obtained. Suspended solids removal efficiencies exceeded 95%. After the formation of the dynamic membrane layer, the effluent turbidity removal of the reactor was observed to be better than that of the control reactor. During process operation, flux values ranged between 13–23 L/m²·h at 3000 mg/L MLSS and 9–23 L/m²·h at 4000 mg/L MLSS. It was determined that TMP values increased gradually throughout the operation period, and no sudden fouling behavior was observed. Increasing MLSS concentrations were found to accelerate dynamic membrane formation; however, at higher MLSS levels, the rate of TMP increase also rose. The obtained findings indicate that dynamic membrane technology offers high treatment efficiency, controllable filtration behavior, and potential for low operational costs in domestic wastewater treatment. In this respect, DMBR systems are considered an economical and sustainable alternative to conventional membrane bioreactors and classical biological treatment systems.