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Toward a novel membrane process for organic carbon removal—fate of slowly biodegradable substrate in super fast membrane bioreactor

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Abstract

The study tested the performance of super fast membrane bioreactor (SFMBR) using starch as a slowly biodegradable substrate, exploring the fate of starch, and the response of the microbial community. SFMBR was operated at extremely low sludge ages of 0.5–2.0 days, with a hydraulic retention time of 1.0 h. Average values for permeate chemical oxygen demand (COD) always remained in the narrow range between 14 and 18 mg/L, regardless of the selected mode of MBR operation at different sludge ages. Soluble COD levels in the reactor were consistently higher than the corresponding permeate COD. Parameters defining process kinetics, determined by model calibration of oxygen uptake rate (OUR) profiles, varied as a function of sludge age. Model simulation of SFMBR performance indicated total removal of hydrolysis products so that permeate COD consisted of residual microbial products. PCR-DGGE experiments revealed significant shifts in the composition of the microbial community imposed by variations in the sludge age, reflecting on corresponding process kinetics.

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Acknowledgments

This study was conducted as part of a research and development project funded by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (Project No. 109Y261). TUBITAK is kindly acknowledged for its financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering Department, Istanbul Technical University, 34469, Maslak, Istanbul, Turkey

    S. Sözen, S. Teksoy Başaran, G. Insel, C. Karaca & D. Orhon

  2. Faculty of Science and Letters, Molecular Biology and Genetics Department, Istanbul Technical University, 34469, Maslak, Istanbul, Turkey

    A. Akarsubaşı & İ. Ergal

  3. The Science Academy, 34353, Beşiktaş, Istanbul, Turkey

    D. Orhon

Authors
  1. S. Sözen
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  2. S. Teksoy Başaran
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  3. A. Akarsubaşı
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  4. İ. Ergal
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  5. G. Insel
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  6. C. Karaca
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  7. D. Orhon
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Correspondence to S. Sözen.

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Responsible editor: Gerald Thouand

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Sözen, S., Teksoy Başaran, S., Akarsubaşı, A. et al. Toward a novel membrane process for organic carbon removal—fate of slowly biodegradable substrate in super fast membrane bioreactor. Environ Sci Pollut Res 23, 16230–16240 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-6795-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-6795-x

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