Study on slug flow pattern in submerged membrane bioreactor

As a promising wastewater treatment technology, the submerged membrane bioreactor (SMBR) has been given extensive attention both in research and application. Membrane module is the core part of submerged membrane bioreactor and optimized design of membrane module is an important measure for controlling membrane fouling. The effect of gas-liquid two hase flow pattern on membrane fouling was summarized in this paper basing on the design principle of gas-liquid two phase flow. The conclusions were drawn that slug flow delivers the most important impact on shear stress to membrane surface and it is the optimal flow pattern in the submerged membrane bioreactor in order to reduce membrane fouling. This paper mainly provides the basic theory for the optimization design of membrane bioreactor.