| Popis: |
Bioflocculation of wastewater particles and bacteria result from the synthesis and secretion of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) by microorganisms. Due to the adhesive nature, an interconnecting matrix is formed between microorganisms and particles. The process of bioflocculation is critical toward solid and liquid separation, and poor bioflocculation will lead to poor settling and dewatering properties, especially in the conventional activated sludge (CAS) processes. Meanwhile, biodeflocculation is the solubilization of EPS which leads to floc fragmentation that contributes to high concentration of suspended solids (SS) in the effluent. Hence, the introduction of membrane bioreactor (MBR) possesses numerous advantages including overcoming the drawbacks in other biological processes. Despite the significant progress of MBR technology, membrane fouling remains as the main obstacle for its large-scale applications. This chapter provides principal understanding of bio(de)flocculation of the activated sludge and factors affecting the bio(de)flocculation process in the MBR. The significant impact of the bio(de)flocculation process in the MBR and also kinetic models describing their characteristics will be discussed. All in all, there is a potential application for these bioflocculants in the field of wastewater treatment in the near epoch. |
